Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Machines can already do 16% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 47%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 16% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2036, and 47% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 36,060 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $47,880 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 67% for contact with people.
- Also called: Chainsaw Technician, Golf Cart Mechanic, Lawnmower Repair Mechanic, Mechanic.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors | 14% | 3% to 30% | |
| Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools | 13% | 3% to 30% | |
| Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects | 9% | 3% to 30% | |
| Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs | 8% | 40% to 72% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Motorcycle Mechanics37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,580
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $65,510
- Pile Driver Operators33% of tasks by 2035 · US median $73,300
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,620
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2036. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics?
Machines can do 16% of the tasks of outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics today and 47% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-3053.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/outdoor-power-equipment-and-other-small-engine-mechanics/