How much does a small engine mechanic make?

US Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Answer: A typical small engine mechanic in the United States makes $47,880 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Yearly pay of a typical person doing this job in the US

$47,880

Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 36,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).

Lower earner

$34,670

10th from the bottom of 100

Typical person

$47,880

Right in the middle (median)

Higher earner

$67,260

10th from the top of 100

If 100 people had this job

Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-right

Hover over a person to see their yearly pay

How many earn more than $50,000 a year?

45 of 100
not many

Small engine mechanic pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)

Small engine mechanic pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)	Typical person (median)	Higher earner (10th from top)	People in this job
$34,670	$47,880	$67,260	about 36,000

States where small engine mechanics earn the most (median, May 2025)
State	Typical person (median)	People in this job
Massachusetts	$57,830	about 800
Connecticut	$56,680	about 560
Minnesota	$55,990	about 630
Missouri	$55,120	about 690
Washington	$53,990	about 590

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., pay can rise with experience and optional industry certification, and it can differ by employer and the type of equipment repaired. Location and seasonal hours matter too: busy spring and summer weeks may bring overtime, while winter hours can drop.

What if you lived in a different state?

Pay varies a lot by state in the US

Whole US$47,880

Massachusetts$57,830

Connecticut$56,680

Minnesota$55,990

Missouri$55,120

Washington$53,990

Tennessee$46,060

Texas$45,720

Kentucky$43,110

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

What does a small engine mechanic do?

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.

What's a typical day like?

They inspect a mower or generator, test the engine to find the problem, repair or replace parts, then put it back together and test it again. They use hand tools and diagnostic equipment, and record the work and parts used.

How to get this job

In the U.S., many start after high school (often around age 18); vocational classes in small-engine or auto repair can help. They learn on the job with experienced mechanics, and optional industry certification can show their skills.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

Did you know?

Some small-engine mechanics fix snowblowers and snowmobiles, but that work is highly seasonal and depends on where they live.

Similar jobs

Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)

Earn more in the same field

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair jobs that pay a bit more

Sources and data

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY