Marine Technician — Could This Be You?

Boatyard helpers in MA start around $17–$22/hr, ABYC-certified marine technicians earn $70,000–$100,000+ a year, and marina owners on the coast take home $150,000–$1M+ — and you can start as a yard helper this spring with no experience and no degree.

What you'll actually do

Wash, sand, shrink-wrap, haul, and launch boats at a Massachusetts boatyard or marina
Apprentice under certified techs on outboards, diesels, marine electrical, and rigging
Earn ABYC and manufacturer certifications (Mercury, Yamaha, Volvo Penta, Yanmar) and become a billable certified technician

What it takes to start

Drive to 5 MA boatyards (Crocker's, Burr Bros., MacDougalls', Hinckley, Brewer) in March and ask the yard manager for spring launch helper work. Take OSHA 10 General Industry online (~$60) and buy steel-toe boots and a respirator before day one. After a season of yard time, ask to apprentice on the service side and start your ABYC Marine Electrical certification.

🔗 See the full career guide on BLS.gov →

Last verified: May 14, 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

AI Impact & Opportunity

Marine technician work is one of the safest careers from AI displacement — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups motorboat mechanics with small-engine technicians and projects steady demand through 2033 as the recreational boating fleet grows. You can't automate diagnosing a saltwater-corroded harness, repowering an outboard, or winterizing a diesel in a tight engine room. Where AI does help is on the diagnostic side: manufacturer scan tools, NMEA 2000 network analyzers, and AI-powered service portals (Mercury G3, Yamaha YDS, Volvo VODIA) speed up troubleshooting. Techs who pair hand skills with comfort using these tools become the most valuable hires in every MA yard.

🔗 U.S. Dept. of Labor — Small Engine Mechanics Outlook

Last verified: May 14, 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics