Motorboat mechanics and service technicians salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,950 | $17.76 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Mean (average) | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| 90th percentile | $79,330 | $38.14 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Motorboat mechanics and service technicians pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 50 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $45,250 | $29,700 | $69,420 | 420 | 1.33 |
| Alaska | $72,520 | $55,950 | $102,070 | 160 | 3.22 |
| Arizona | $59,390 | $40,210 | $74,120 | 430 | 0.89 |
| Arkansas | $45,860 | $34,940 | $64,280 | 200 | 1.01 |
| California | $62,330 | $47,190 | $81,320 | 1,230 | 0.45 |
| Colorado | $57,050 | $48,160 | $83,610 | 50 | 0.12 |
| Connecticut | $63,480 | $48,000 | $79,410 | 560 | 2.22 |
| Delaware | $60,230 | $39,750 | $70,790 | 130 | 1.78 |
| Florida | $55,680 | $36,960 | $77,120 | 4,810 | 3.24 |
| Georgia | $49,850 | $36,860 | $76,070 | 390 | 0.53 |
| Hawaii | $77,740 | $57,000 | $97,860 | 150 | 1.65 |
| Idaho | $47,740 | $35,720 | $61,540 | 100 | 0.82 |
| Illinois | $47,840 | $38,630 | $59,780 | 360 | 0.4 |
| Indiana | $51,200 | $35,860 | $72,650 | 450 | 0.94 |
| Iowa | $49,930 | $34,110 | $66,700 | 110 | 0.49 |
| Kansas | $47,720 | $26,080 | $57,770 | 90 | 0.44 |
| Kentucky | $50,920 | $32,580 | $123,410 | 360 | 1.21 |
| Louisiana | $53,080 | $31,330 | $71,880 | 240 | 0.83 |
| Maine | $60,510 | $45,450 | $75,190 | 340 | 3.56 |
| Maryland | $60,310 | $36,950 | $76,720 | 420 | 1.02 |
| Massachusetts | $74,160 | $48,340 | $94,500 | 890 | 1.64 |
| Michigan | $47,900 | $27,840 | $64,020 | 1,480 | 2.26 |
| Minnesota | $61,010 | $46,460 | $78,780 | 500 | 1.15 |
| Mississippi | $43,800 | $30,430 | $68,680 | 60 | 0.35 |
| Missouri | $43,580 | $29,470 | $77,670 | 330 | 0.75 |
| Montana | $52,160 | $39,520 | $62,490 | 60 | 0.73 |
| Nebraska | $45,400 | $31,210 | $65,890 | 80 | 0.5 |
| Nevada | $49,630 | $34,340 | $84,220 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,160 | $42,940 | $70,810 | 180 | 1.77 |
| New Jersey | $71,880 | $41,290 | $79,040 | 250 | 0.39 |
| New Mexico | $36,510 | $30,130 | $40,030 | ||
| New York | $58,940 | $48,940 | $83,260 | 1,470 | 1.02 |
| North Carolina | $51,430 | $31,400 | $76,920 | 930 | 1.26 |
| North Dakota | $60,990 | $46,500 | $74,490 | 70 | 1.11 |
| Ohio | $52,450 | $39,360 | $71,400 | 400 | 0.48 |
| Oklahoma | $39,920 | $25,010 | $60,850 | 260 | 1.02 |
| Oregon | $66,460 | $54,980 | $88,410 | 140 | 0.47 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,520 | $38,370 | $78,960 | 400 | 0.44 |
| Puerto Rico | $38,370 | $21,840 | $45,990 | 100 | 0.68 |
| Rhode Island | $58,470 | $45,470 | $75,400 | 400 | 5.38 |
| South Carolina | $49,080 | $30,770 | $64,620 | 620 | 1.82 |
| South Dakota | $46,840 | $31,970 | $56,560 | 90 | 1.36 |
| Tennessee | $49,120 | $39,650 | $60,880 | 200 | 0.41 |
| Texas | $53,290 | $36,600 | $87,500 | 1,010 | 0.48 |
| Utah | $46,470 | $29,140 | $59,290 | 70 | 0.26 |
| Vermont | $72,350 | $53,290 | $78,710 | 50 | 1.21 |
| Virginia | $63,450 | $46,410 | $103,840 | ||
| Washington | $63,020 | $47,370 | $93,810 | 750 | 1.42 |
| West Virginia | $36,480 | $28,850 | $56,160 | 40 | 0.38 |
| Wisconsin | $56,920 | $38,510 | $74,550 | 690 | 1.58 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for motorboat mechanics and service technicians
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 2,600. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 7.3%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for motorboat mechanics and service technicians
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Marine Engineering Technology/Technician CIP 15.0806
- Small Engine Mechanics and Repair Technology/Technician CIP 47.0606
- Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/Technician CIP 47.0616
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Mount motors to boats, and operate boats at various speeds on waterways to conduct operational tests.
- Repair engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, bilge pumps, or power take-offs.
- Perform routine engine maintenance on motorboats, such as changing oil and filters.
- 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.
- Inspect and repair or adjust propellers or propeller shafts.
Technology skills
- Facebook (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- CDI Electronics M.E.D.S.
- Engine diagnostic scanners
- Inventory tracking software
- Outboard engine diagnostic software
- Rinda Technologies DIACOM Marine
Transferable skills for career changers: Repairing, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving.
Common job titles: Boat Mechanic, Boat Motor Mechanic, Boat Rigger, Marine Mechanic, Marine Propulsion Technician, Marine Technician, Mechanic, Outboard Motor Mechanic, Outboard Technician, Service Technician.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do motorboat mechanics and service technicians make?
The national median annual wage for motorboat mechanics and service technicians was $57,550 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $36,950 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $79,330. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do motorboat mechanics and service technicians need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and long-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is motorboat mechanics and service technicians a growing career?
BLS projects employment of motorboat mechanics and service technicians to change +4.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 2,600 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay motorboat mechanics and service technicians the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Hawaii ($77,740), Massachusetts ($74,160), Alaska ($72,520). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.