Motorcycle Mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.

What you'd actually do

• Mount, balance, change, or check condition or pressure of tires.
• Replace defective parts, using hand tools, arbor presses, flexible power presses, or power tools.
• Dismantle engines and repair or replace defective parts, such as magnetos, carburetors, or generators.
• Connect test panels to engines and measure generator output, ignition timing, or other engine performance indicators.
• Listen to engines, examine vehicle frames, or confer with customers to determine nature and extent of malfunction or damage.
• Repair or replace other parts, such as headlights, horns, handlebar controls, gasoline or oil tanks, starters, or mufflers.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Post-secondary certificate. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; time pressure is a real part of the job; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 8% of motorcycle mechanics are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, organized and detail-focused and analytical.

Related careers

• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
• Millwrights
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
• Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

Quick questions

How much does a motorcycle mechanic make?

The median pay is $23.35 per hour — roughly $48,500 a year, with the real range running from about $16.72/hr (10th percentile) to $35.77/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a motorcycle mechanic?

The typical entry-level education is: Post-secondary certificate. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

What does a motorcycle mechanic actually do all day?

Mount, balance, change, or check condition or pressure of tires. Replace defective parts, using hand tools, arbor presses, flexible power presses, or power tools. Dismantle engines and repair or replace defective parts, such as magnetos, carburetors, or generators.