Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.
- Median pay
- $57,550
- Doing it now
- 25,000
- By 2035
- Up 4.9%
- Usually needs
- High school diploma or equivalent
a year
across the country
2,600 openings a year
to get in
What the work involves
- Disassemble and inspect motors to locate defective parts, using mechanic's hand tools and gauges.
- Mount motors to boats, and operate boats at various speeds on waterways to conduct operational tests.
- Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
- Document inspection and test results and work performed or to be performed.
- Replace parts, such as gears, magneto points, piston rings, or spark plugs, and reassemble engines.
- Idle motors and observe thermometers to determine the effectiveness of cooling systems.
- Set starter locks and align and repair steering or throttle controls, using gauges, screwdrivers, or wrenches.
What to study
The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.
- Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansSee 103 colleges that teach it
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/TechniciansSee 24 colleges that teach it
Who it suits
O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.
Hands-on and practical
Organised and precise
Analytical and curious
Careers like this one
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$50,620
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$61,770
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$47,880
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$79,870
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers$53,710
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers$65,380
Where this comes from: the description and the task list are O*NET, which the Department of Labor maintains. Pay, workforce size, outlook and the education normally needed are the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections programme, 2025 wages and 2025 to 2035 projections. Half of them earn more than $57,550 a year, which means half earn less, and what you would earn depends on where you work and how long you have been doing it. The fields of study come from the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk.