Luckily, we’ve got some answers for you!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and their Occupational Outlook Handbook, jobs for small engine mechanics are projected to grow about as fast as average over the next decade (between 2018 and 2028) . . . with those who have completed postsecondary training programs expected to have better job prospects.

Small engine mechanics include those who work on motorboats, sport fishing boats, sailboats, motorcycles, and other motorized power equipment. And according to the BLS, they earned a median annual salary of more than $37,000 in 2018 (and hourly wages of nearly $18). While there are job opportunities nationwide for motorboat mechanics and service technicians, it only makes sense that there are more such jobs (and higher concentrations of them) in states near water. Alaska, California, Florida, and New England are popular areas for marine mechanics—as are Texas and states near the Great Lakes (such as Wisconsin and Michigan).

Marine mechanics programs typically take between one and two years to complete. During this time, students typically spend time both in the classroom and getting hands-on experience to prepare them for work in the field. Training can include fuel, lubrication, and electrical systems, transmissions, propulsion technology, diesel technology, brand-specific components, and more. The skills that students develop range from the basics, like replacing spark plugs, to the more complex, like performing an engine overhaul.

Programs can vary in cost depending on the location and the outcome (whether you’ll earn an associate degree or a certificate or diploma), but the most popular options have an average cost between $20,000 and $30,000. Students often use a mix of financial aid, scholarships and grants, and personal funding to pay for school.

Ready to find a marine mechanics program near you? The Imagine America Foundation has a robust network of schools that offer the hands-on training you need so you can start a new career and become a marine mechanic. We’ve even got scholarship and award programs that qualified students can take advantage of when attending one of our member schools! IAF is proud to work with partner institutions like Universal Technical Institute, who offers training programs in a variety of technical fields—including marine mechanics.