by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician explores Small Engine Mechanics And Repair Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Repair, Service, And Maintain Small Internal-Combustion Engines Used On Portable Power Equipment Such As Lawnmowers, Chain Saws, Rotary Tillers, And Snowmobiles. Read on to learn the important information every small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician programs.
Across the country, small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 204 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 28 schools to determine the best overall colleges for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician programs later in this article.
Studies in Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 88 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 29 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 87 |
People currently working in careers related to small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 34.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 34.8% |
| Some college courses | 18.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 9.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | 350,797 | 10.0% |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics | 274,006 | 1.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,744 |
| 4 years | $43,612 |
| 5 years | $49,558 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | $50,761 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics | $45,036 |
With 28 different small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician school rankings to help you.
Those considering small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
