How to become a motorboat mechanics and service technician
Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree..Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
What motorboat mechanics and service technicians do
- Perform routine engine maintenance on motorboats, such as changing oil and filters.
- Idle motors and observe thermometers to determine the effectiveness of cooling systems.
- Disassemble and inspect motors to locate defective parts, using mechanic's hand tools and gauges.
- Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
- 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.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
Is motorboat mechanics and service technician a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 13% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Hawaii $77,740
- Massachusetts $74,160
- Alaska $72,520
- Vermont $72,350
- New Jersey $71,880
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.