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Universal Technical Institute
Put your career in gear with Universal Technical Institute, an ASE/NATEF Master Certified provider of post-secondary technical education training.
Wyotech
Ready to make a real difference in your life? Our career-focused programs will give you the hands-on training you need to succeed.
Penn Foster Career School
Penn Foster Career School offers over 80 affordable, self-paced, career-focused distance education programs, all designed to help you advance your career. Programs areas include business, education, technology, and more.
Start a Small Engine Repair Career
Don’t want to work for The Man? Want to set your own hours? Want your own name on the door? There’s a big upside if you decide to start a small engine repair business. After all, gas costs are high and may go higher, so more people are buying high mileage, low cost vehicles like motor scooters. When any of these machines break down, need a part or a tune-up, they’ll be looking for people like you who have successful small engine repair careers. Want to know more? Just look below for small engine repair courses.
Here are a list of Frequently Asked Questions –– and our Frequently Provided Answers on how to start a small engine repair business.
Q. What is the outlook for small engine repair careers potential and the job market?
A. The forecast for these jobs is sunny and bright because small engine repair courses prepare you to fix and overhaul motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, motorboats, lawnmowers and leaf blowers. You can also work on transmissions, brakes, ignition systems, as well as making minor body repairs. In addition, you can repair cooling and lubrication systems, drives, electrical components, charging and ignition systems, and more.
During 2004, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 73,000 people had small engine repair careers. Of this total, about 19,000 people annually who work in or start a small engine repair business are motorcycle mechanics in automotive and motorcycle dealerships, though some are employed by motorcycle/ATV repair shops, manufacturers, and distributors.
Motorcycle mechanics comprise about 23,000 jobs, with outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics totaling about 31,000 jobs. Approximately 20 percent were self-employed.
Q. What is the industry growth potential for small engine repair careers?
A. Again citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, small engine repair careers are expected to increase about 9 to 17 percent through 2014. These jobs will replace many experienced mechanics who start a small engine repair business and are expected to transfer to other occupations, retire, or stop working for other reasons. Therefore, job prospects should be quite favorable for persons who complete small engine repair courses.
Q. What are the salary expectations for small engine repair careers?
The median hourly wage for those who choose small engine repair careers in May 2004 was $13.70 per hour, according to the US Department of Labor. The middle 50 percent earn between $10.58 and $17.53 per hour. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook states that some small engine repair courses graduates can earn annual salaries of more than $40,000.
