Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 181 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the second least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 21% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
AI could do much of this on its own
Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
AI could do much of this on its own
Sell parts and equipment.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
Very similar work+12% pay53 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 12% more—$58,148 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Finger Dexterity
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
New skills to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Multilimb Coordination
- Mathematics
- Extent Flexibility
- Installation
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Very similar work+103% pay200 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 103% more—$105,701 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Finger Dexterity
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
New skills to build
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Reading Comprehension
- Public Safety and Security
- Critical Thinking
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
Very similar work+16% pay162 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 16% more—$60,609 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Very similar work+7% pay3,965 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 7% more—$55,645 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Finger Dexterity
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Visualization
New skills to build
- Installation
Motorcycle Mechanics
Very similar work+8% pay41 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 8% more—$56,319 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Finger Dexterity
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Visualization
New skills to build
- Hearing Sensitivity
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Very similar work+38% pay2,106 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 38% more—$72,078 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Finger Dexterity
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Transportation
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Education and Training
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Very similar work+38% pay4,530 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 38% more—$71,717 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Repairing
- Finger Dexterity
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
New skills to build
- Installation
- Reaction Time
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Similar work+31% pay431 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 31% more—$68,183 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Equipment Maintenance
- Finger Dexterity
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
New skills to build
- Extent Flexibility
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Installation
- Gross Body Coordination
- Control Precision
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Similar work+34% pay222 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 34% more—$69,527 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Installation
- Production and Processing
Rail Car Repairers
Similar work+67% pay164 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 67% more—$86,975 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Finger Dexterity
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Building and Construction
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Installation
- Gross Body Coordination
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
Similar work+32% pay51 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 32% more—$68,591 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Equipment Maintenance
- Finger Dexterity
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
New skills to build
- Installation
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Similar work+100% pay12,479 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 100% more—$104,013 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Near Vision
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- Repairing
New skills to build
- Public Safety and Security
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Gross Body Equilibrium
Millwrights
Similar work+57% pay81 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 57% more—$81,814 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Equipment Maintenance
- Finger Dexterity
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
New skills to build
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Installation
- Education and Training
- Gross Body Equilibrium
Bicycle Repairers
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay66 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$49,099 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Finger Dexterity
- Visualization
- Customer and Personal Service
- Repairing
New skills to build
- Administrative
- Sales and Marketing
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay93 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$47,518 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Mechanical
- Visualization
- Customer and Personal Service
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay1,632 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$50,099 vs your $52,072 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Operation and Control
- Problem Sensitivity
- Multilimb Coordination
New skills to build
- Peripheral Vision
- Spatial Orientation
- Rate Control
- Far Vision
- Response Orientation