Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.
Motorcycle Mechanics
SOC: 49-3052 O*NET: 49-3052.00
Median Salary
$47,200
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.3%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.
What does a Motorcycle Mechanics do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,770
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,270
25th percentile
Median
$47,200
50th percentile
Experienced
$58,880
75th percentile
Top Earners
$70,210
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,770
25th
$38,270
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$47,200
Mean: $49,650
75th
$58,880
90th
$70,210
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $38,440 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,270 and $58,880
- •Salary spread is 43.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 14,010 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:14,900
Top Industries
Retail Trade83.6%
Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers83.3%
Other Motor Vehicle Dealers82.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.3%
Annual Openings:1,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)14,900
Current
2034 (Projected)15,700
+5.3%
+800
Employment Change
+5.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Motorcycle Mechanics professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
California
1,540 jobs$58,6200.94x
Texas
890 jobs$46,6700.71x
Florida
700 jobs$47,2000.79x
Indiana
540 jobs$43,9201.86x
Colorado
530 jobs$49,3602.01x
North Carolina
500 jobs$41,9401.11x
Arizona
490 jobs$43,6401.68x
Washington
480 jobs$47,2601.49x
Virginia
460 jobs$48,4101.24x
Pennsylvania
430 jobs$46,7800.79x
New York
400 jobs$48,2800.46x
Ohio
390 jobs$41,4600.78x
Minnesota
380 jobs$49,7701.44x
Michigan
370 jobs$44,5200.92x
Wisconsin
340 jobs$50,2701.26x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Repairing
100%
#2
Troubleshooting
94%
#3
Equipment Maintenance
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Operations Monitoring
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Quality Control Analysis
40%
Skills Overview
Repairing
advanced5.0
100%
Troubleshooting
advanced4.7
94%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Repairing
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door82%
5 shared skills
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment82%
5 shared skills
Wellhead Pumpers82%
5 shared skills
Watch and Clock Repairers73%
5 shared skills
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Critical Thinking
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Repairing
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Repairing
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Motorcycle Mechanics
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechApple iOS
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Apple iOS
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Repair or adjust motorcycle subassemblies, such as forks, transmissions, brakes, or drive chains, according to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Replace defective parts, using hand tools, arbor presses, flexible power presses, or power tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Connect test panels to engines and measure generator output, ignition timing, or other engine performance indicators.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Listen to engines, examine vehicle frames, or confer with customers to determine nature and extent of malfunction or damage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Reassemble and test subassembly units.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Dismantle engines and repair or replace defective parts, such as magnetos, carburetors, or generators.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Remove cylinder heads and grind valves to scrape off carbon and replace defective valves, pistons, cylinders, or rings, using hand and power tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Repair or replace other parts, such as headlights, horns, handlebar controls, gasoline or oil tanks, starters, or mufflers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Disassemble subassembly units and examine condition, movement, or alignment of parts, visually or using gauges.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Mount, balance, change, or check condition or pressure of tires.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Motorcycle Mechanics
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Motorcycle Mechanics professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Motorcycle Mechanics
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.91
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.75
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.69
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.35
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.28
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.21
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Dependability
4.8
Integrity
4.7
Persistence
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Self-Control
4.2
Independence
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.1
Cooperation
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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