Skip to content
Boston Career Explorer

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.

Also called: Boat Mechanic, Boat Motor Mechanic, Boat Rigger, Marine Mechanic, Marine Propulsion Technician, Marine Technician

Median pay in Greater Boston
$72,790
$35.00/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
490
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+7.7%
80 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Long-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$48,520$59,280$72,790$78,750$94,010

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
  • Document inspection and test results and work performed or to be performed.
  • Mount motors to boats, and operate boats at various speeds on waterways to conduct operational tests.
  • Repair engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, bilge pumps, or power take-offs.
  • Perform routine engine maintenance on motorboats, such as changing oil and filters.
  • Replace parts, such as gears, magneto points, piston rings, or spark plugs, and reassemble engines.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Lower exposure17 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 21
  • Language-model AIOE 19
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 10

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

This job has lower AI exposure, and there is little or no observed AI use so far. AI tools could help with paperwork, such as writing up inspection and test results. They do not do the hands-on work of repairing engines, changing oil and filters, or testing boats on the water.

Likely to change

  • Documenting inspections and work performed
  • Spotting engine problems from test data

Still relies on people

  • Repairing bilge pumps and power tilts
  • Test-driving boats on the water

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

    Engine repair, hand tools, and inspection skills carry over to diesel work. Boston pay is higher at $75,770, with long-term on-the-job training.

    Pay difference
    +$2,980 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +5.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

    Replacing worn parts and testing equipment after repair match your daily work. This job pays $76,770 and needs a high school diploma.

    Pay difference
    +$3,980 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.9%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

    Your pump and mechanical repair experience helps with pipe systems. This apprenticeship path pays $96,760 in Boston, with 6.5% projected growth.

    Pay difference
    +$23,970 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +6.5%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

Talk to a career coach