Career comparison
Automotive Service Technician vs. Small Engine Mechanic
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Automotive service technicians earn more at the median ($50,620 vs. $47,880), while small engine mechanics usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Automotive service technicians inspect, diagnose and repair cars and light trucks, including hybrids and EVs. Small engine mechanics repair lawn mowers, chainsaws, generators and other small gas and electric equipment.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Automotive Service Technician | Small Engine Mechanic | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $50,620 ($24.34/hr) | $47,880 ($23.02/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $34,660 – $81,790 | $34,670 – $67,260 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.0% (faster than average) | +2.3% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 66,200 | 3,800 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 6–24 months | 3–12 months |
| Key credential | ASE A1–A9 | EETC certifications |
| Work setting | Technicians work in dealerships, independent repair shops, chain stores, fleet garages and government agencies. | Mechanics work in dealerships, repair shops, landscaping companies and rental centers. |
What each job does
Automotive Service Technician
- Perform inspections and preventive maintenance
- Diagnose problems with scan tools and test equipment
- Repair brakes, steering, suspension and drivetrain components
- Repair engines and electrical systems
- Service heating and air-conditioning systems
Small Engine Mechanic
- Diagnose engine and equipment problems
- Perform tune-ups and preventive maintenance
- Rebuild or replace carburetors and fuel systems
- Repair ignition, starting and charging systems
- Service drive belts, transmissions and blades
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and working independently. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose automotive service technician if…
- I enjoy working on cars
- I like diagnosing problems with tools and data
- I’m comfortable explaining technical problems simply
Choose small engine mechanic if…
- I like taking engines apart and putting them back together
- I enjoy figuring out why something won’t run
- I don’t mind grease and fuel
Still torn? Take the Automotive Service Technician fit quiz and the Small Engine Mechanic fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, automotive service technician or small engine mechanic?
Automotive Service Technicians earn more at the median: $50,620 versus $47,880 for small engine mechanics, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Small Engine Mechanics typically train faster (3–12 months) than automotive service technicians (6–24 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects automotive service technicians to grow +5.0% from 2025–35, compared with +2.3% for small engine mechanics.