Career comparison
Landscaper vs. Small Engine Mechanic
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Small engine mechanics earn more at the median ($47,880 vs. $39,150), while landscapers usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of training). Landscapers plant, mow, trim and care for lawns, gardens and outdoor spaces. 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
| Landscaper | Small Engine Mechanic | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $39,150 ($18.82/hr) | $47,880 ($23.02/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $31,150 – $56,730 | $34,670 – $67,260 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.7% (about as fast as average) | +2.3% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 149,500 | 3,800 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 1–4 weeks | 3–12 months |
| Key credential | NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician | EETC certifications |
| Work setting | Landscapers work outdoors in heat, cold and rain, using power equipment and lifting heavy materials.. | Mechanics work in dealerships, repair shops, landscaping companies and rental centers. |
What each job does
Landscaper
- Mow, edge and trim lawns
- Plant trees, shrubs and flowers
- Spread mulch and install sod
- Prune shrubs and small trees
- Install and repair irrigation
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. They sit in different fields, agriculture, landscaping & animal care and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as stamina and customer service.
Which should you choose?
Choose landscaper if…
- I love being outdoors
- I don’t mind hard work
- I want to start right away
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 Landscaper fit quiz and the Small Engine Mechanic fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, landscaper or small engine mechanic?
Small Engine Mechanics earn more at the median: $47,880 versus $39,150 for landscapers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Landscapers typically train faster (1–4 weeks) than small engine mechanics (3–12 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects landscapers to grow +4.7% from 2025–35, compared with +2.3% for small engine mechanics.