The median pay for Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians is $57,550 a year ($27.67/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 4.9% through 2035, with about 2,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 49-3051
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $57,550a year, or $27.67/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $37KTop 10% $79K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.9%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,60025,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202525K
- Projected 203526.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 25K Projected 2035 26.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school6.6%
- High school23.6%
- Certificate53.7%
- Some college11.5%
- Associate's4.5%
Highest education held by motorboat mechanics and service technicians Segment Value Less than high school 6.6% High school 23.6% Certificate 53.7% Some college 11.5% Associate's 4.5%
Also advertised as: Boat Mechanic, Boat Motor Mechanic, Boat Rigger, Marine Mechanic, Marine Propulsion Technician, Marine Technician.
Pay
How much do Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians make?
Every motorboat mechanic and service technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$57,550
Middle half earn $46,750 to $66,620
- 10th
- $36,950
- 25th
- $46,750
- 75th
- $66,620
- 90th
- $79,330
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $36,950 |
| 25th | $46,750 |
| Median | $57,550 |
| 75th | $66,620 |
| 90th | $79,330 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $57,550
- Median hourly wage
- $27.67/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $58,070
- People employed
- 23,220
Versus all US occupations
At $57,550, Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians earn 13% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $6,570 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 6% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $79,330 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,950, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 29% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Hawaii posts the highest raw median ($77,740), but once local prices are taken into account Vermont leads at $73,858 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Hawaii | $77,740 | $70,704 | 150 |
| 2Massachusetts | $74,160 | $70,123 | 890 |
| 3Alaska | $72,520 | $70,849 | 160 |
| 4Vermont | $72,350 | $73,858 | 50 |
| 5New Jersey | $71,880 | $66,063 | 250 |
| 6Oregon | $66,460 | $64,299 | 140 |
| 7Connecticut | $63,480 | $61,268 | 560 |
| 8Virginia | $63,450 | $62,757 | N/A |
| 9Washington | $63,020 | $58,890 | 750 |
| 10California | $62,330 | $56,295 | 1,230 |
Job outlook
Is Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | +4.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians to change 4.9% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,600 openings are projected each year, 10.4% of the 25,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of small engine mechanics is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of small engine mechanics varies by occupation (see table).
Increased demand for motorboats, as well as for outdoor power equipment, is expected to create jobs for small engine mechanics over the projections decade. In addition, boat and motorcycle engines, as well as engines and parts for outdoor power equipment, have become more sophisticated, which is expected to create demand for small engine mechanics who can fix and maintain them.
Getting in
How to become a Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician
Small engine mechanics typically enter the occupation with a high school diploma or postsecondary nondegree award and learn their trade through on-the-job training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as motorboat mechanics and service technicians.
- Post-Secondary Certificate53.7%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)23.6%
- Some College Courses11.5%
- Less than a High School Diploma6.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 53.7% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 23.6% |
| Some College Courses | 11.5% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 6.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 4.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician do?
Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.
Small engine mechanics inspect, service, and repair motorized power equipment. Mechanics often specialize in one type of equipment, such as motorcycles, motorboats, or outdoor power equipment.
Day-to-day tasks
- Repair engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, bilge pumps, or power take-offs.
- Mount motors to boats, and operate boats at various speeds on waterways to conduct operational tests.
- Perform routine engine maintenance on motorboats, such as changing oil and filters.
- Inspect and repair or adjust propellers or propeller shafts.
- Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
- Replace parts, such as gears, magneto points, piston rings, or spark plugs, and reassemble engines.
- Adjust carburetor mixtures, electrical point settings, or timing while motors are running in water-filled test tanks.
- Document inspection and test results and work performed or to be performed.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most small engine mechanics work full time, although seasonal workers often see their work hours fluctuate.
Most mechanics are busiest during the spring and summer, when demand for work on equipment from lawnmowers to motorboats is the highest. During the peak seasons, some mechanics work many overtime hours. In contrast, some may work only part time during the winter, when demand for small engine work is lowest.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Monitoring2.9
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Writing2.5
- Active Learning2.4
- Mathematics2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.5 |
| Active Learning | 2.4 |
| Mathematics | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Repairing4.0
- Equipment Maintenance3.9
- Troubleshooting3.8
- Operation and Control3.6
- Operations Monitoring3.5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Equipment Selection3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Repairing | 4.0 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.9 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.8 |
| Operation and Control | 3.6 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Inventory management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.9
- Investigative2.9
- Enterprising1.6
- Social1.0
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician
O*NET related occupations
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$61,770median a year
Most earn $45K to $89K
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More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with motorboat mechanics and service technicians highlighted
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician$57,550
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician | $57,550 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician appears on
Questions
Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians make?
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians earn a median of $57,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 13% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $27.67/hr. The middle half earn between $46,750 and $66,620. The top 10% earn $79,330 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 53.7% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.9% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician do?
Small engine mechanics inspect, service, and repair motorized power equipment. A core O*NET task: repair engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, bilge pumps, or power take-offs. Employers most often ask for Office suite software, Presentation software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians are Hawaii ($77,740), Massachusetts ($74,160), Alaska ($72,520) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Vermont moves to the top at $73,858.
What personality type suits a Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician?
O*NET scores Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.