How to become a small engine and small equipment repairer
Official title: Other small engine and small equipment repairers
Also called: Small engine mechanic, Small engine repairer, Garden tractor repairer, Small engine technician, Small equipment repairer, Air-cooled engine mechanic, Apprentice small engine mechanic, Outdoor power equipment technician, Small engine and equipment mechanic, Small equipment mechanic apprentice, Gasoline-powered lawn mower repairer, Gas-powered small equipment mechanic
Other small engine and small equipment repairers test, repair and service small gasoline and diesel-powered engines and equipment, such as garden tractors, lawn mowers and other related equipment. They are employed by dealer service shops and by independent service establishments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Review work orders and discuss work to be performed with supervisor
- Inspect and test engines and other mechanical components using test devices to diagnose and isolate faults
- Adjust, repair or replace mechanical or electrical system parts and components using hand tools and equipment
- Test and adjust repaired equipment for proper performance
- Perform scheduled maintenance service on equipment
- Advise customers on work performed and general condition of equipment
- Determine estimates of repair cost
How to become one
Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program is usually required. Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program in small engine or equipment repair or A combination of several years of work experience and high school or college courses in small engine or equipment repair are usually required for trade certification. Small engine or equipment mechanic trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario and Nunavut. Inboard/outboard mechanic trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Ontario and British Columbia. Outdoor power equipment technician trade certification, for specified types of equipment, is available, but voluntary, in Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship. Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program in small engine or equipment repair or A combination of several years of work experience and high school or college courses in small engine or equipment repair are usually required for trade certification. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $46,800 a year The middle half earn $40,950 to $53,625.
- About 3,500 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 3,700 are projected by 2033. (+5.7%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
- Appliance servicers and repairers
- Electrical mechanics
- Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
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Questions people ask
How do I become a small engine and small equipment repairer?
Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program is usually required. Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program in small engine or equipment repair or A combination of several years of work experience and high school or college courses in small engine or equipment repair are usually required for trade certification. Small engine or equipment mechanic trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario and Nunavut. Inboard/outboard mechanic trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Ontario and British Columbia. Outdoor power equipment technician trade certification, for specified types of equipment, is available, but voluntary, in Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
How much does a small engine and small equipment repairer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $46,800 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $40,950 to $53,625.
Is a small engine and small equipment repairer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2033, from about 3,500 to about 3,700 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a small engine and small equipment repairer?
Usually not. Only 2% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Apprenticeship.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03