How to Train to Become a Personal Watercraft Mechanic

Key Points

• Career overview: A career as a Jet Ski® mechanic is ideal for those with a passion for watersports and a keen eye for detail. It involves hands-on work and requires a specific skill set, which can be acquired through marine or motorcycle training programs. This role not only focuses on Jet Skis but may also involve working on other personal watercraft (PWC) and powersports equipment.
• Educational and skill requirements: To become a Jet Ski mechanic, one typically needs to complete technical school or have equivalent experience. Entry-level positions may involve basic maintenance tasks, with opportunities to advance to more complex repairs over time. Essential skills for success include adaptability, technical knowledge, attention to detail, problem-solving and communication.
• Work environment: Jet Ski mechanics work in various settings, including marinas, motorcycle/powersports shops, as independent mechanics or as mobile mechanics. Having knowledge in related fields, such as boat or other powersport equipment mechanics, may be advantageous and provide more opportunities.
• Responsibilities: The day-to-day duties of a Jet Ski mechanic include maintenance and repair, upgrades and performance tuning, traveling to job sites for repairs, moving watercraft in and out of water, hull repair, electrical diagnostics, accessory installation, conducting watercraft test rides, ordering parts and communicating with customers.
• Salary and training: While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide specific salary data for Jet Ski mechanics, the median annual salary for motorboat mechanics and service technicians in the United States was $49,990 in May 2023.³¹ And according to the BLS, the median annual salary for motorcycle mechanics in the U.S. was $46,270 in May 2023.³⁰ This means half earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area. Those interested in becoming a Jet Ski mechanic can train at Marine Mechanics Institute or Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, depending on their interests.^1.3

The career path of a Jet Ski® mechanic, also known as a Sea-Doo mechanic, can be an exciting one. If you have an eye for detail and a passion for watersports, this may be the perfect career for you.

Becoming a Jet Ski mechanic requires a certain set of skills. These can often be obtained through a marine or motorcycle training program. This is a very hands-on career, so in addition to learning key concepts about Jet Skis and how they work, it’s important to gain real-world experience by working on these engines yourself.

Keep reading to learn all about the career of a Jet Ski mechanic — the requirements, day-to-day responsibilities, salary outlook and more.

What Is a Jet Ski?

Before describing how to become a Jet Ski mechanic, let’s start with some definitions.

“Jet Ski” is a Kawasaki-specific branded term used for their personal watercraft. While Jet Skis are Kawasaki-specific, the term is widely adopted to describe small watercraft in which the rider sits on top, similar to a motorcycle. Kawasaki sells both seated and stand-up Jet Skis.

While Jet Ski is the most common term used to describe personal watercraft, you may also hear Sea-Doo or WaveRunner.

Sea-Doo is a brand of personal watercraft manufactured by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). BRP manufacturers stand-up models but tends to focus more on casual use. 

WaveRunner is a Yamaha-branded term for personal watercraft. Yamaha manufactures stand-up WaveRunners for closed-course competition only.

PWC, or personal watercraft, is a broad term used to describe all small craft that use an impeller versus a propeller, and the rider is on top of the hull rather than sitting within it.

Seated Jet Skis have a bench seat for the rider and can carry up to four people. Stand-up Jet Skis are for one rider only and have a hinged section with the handlebar and other rider controls, allowing the rider to start in the kneeling position, and then stand up once underway.

Read: How Do Personal Watercraft Work?

Who Works on Jet Skis?

If you’re considering becoming a Jet Ski mechanic, it’s important to be familiar with the different types of businesses that work on them. In general, there are four main types of business that work on jet skis:

• Marinas
• Motorcycle/powersports shops
• Independent Jet Ski mechanics
• Mobile mechanics

In addition to being a confident Jet Ski mechanic, knowledge of either boats or other powersports equipment can be helpful when looking for a career. In time, a technician may be able to focus their work specifically on watercraft, but when starting out, diversity is a good thing.

If you’re a Jet Ski, marine or boat mechanic, you can often pursue a career at a marina or independent boat repair shop. If you’re a confident Jet Ski and powersport technician who works on motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides, you can often pursue a career at a multiline powersports dealership.

Jet Ski Mechanic Requirements

Most shops will require experience or technical school when hiring technicians. It’s rare that a shop will assume the liability associated with hiring someone with no prior training or experience in the field, as errors in this line of work can have serious consequences.

Technicians with little prior experience or with technical school as their only form of training will often start with basic maintenance work completing tasks such as oil changes, spark plug replacement and battery replacements.

As a technician demonstrates their ability to reliably service watercraft, they will likely be challenged with more difficult repairs over time. Troubleshooting, electrical diagnosis and high-performance work are some of the tasks experienced Jet Ski mechanics spend their time on.

Specific Jet Ski mechanic requirements vary from employer to employer. Today, education is even more critical than in years past due to how fast technology is evolving. With rapid technological advancements, a solid educational background prepares technicians for future developments.

Other common requirements for tech school students who are looking for work as a Jet Ski mechanic include:

• High school diploma or GED diploma
• Industry-related work experience during school
• A personal portfolio of projects completed outside of school, which can include personal vehicle repairs, side jobs for friends and family and project vehicles
• A clean driving history report

Jet Ski Mechanic Skills

Jet Ski mechanics, like many other types of mechanics, should be qualified in the areas listed below. Mastery of these skills is not required for entry-level positions, but mechanics will continue to learn, grow and develop these skills with experience.

• Adaptability: Jet Ski mechanics must be flexible and able to take on any new challenge that comes their way.
• Technical knowledge: Understanding engines, electrical systems, cooling systems, steering controls and even hull repair are all part of the knowledge required to be a successful Jet Ski technician.
• Attention to detail: Watercraft technicians work with vehicles and equipment that can be dangerous if they aren’t handled carefully.
• Problem-solving: The best Jet Ski technicians are problem-solvers and have the ability to think on their feet to find solutions that are best for the customer and shop.
• Communication: While a significant amount of their time is spent doing hands-on work, Jet Ski technicians also must communicate with customers, parts suppliers, vendors and other technicians.
• Drive: The Jet Ski technicians who are driven to succeed are the ones who work their way up and advance to new roles, becoming better each day.

What Do Jet Ski Mechanics Do?

While not an all-inclusive list, Jet Ski mechanics are typically responsible for the following:

• Maintenance and repair
• Upgrades/performance
• Traveling to job sites for repairs
• Moving watercraft around the facility, including in and out of water
• Hull repair
• Electrical diagnostics
• Accessory installation (GPS, depth finder, etc.)
• Watercraft test rides
• Ordering parts
• Communicating with customers

Jet Ski Mechanic Salary Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t specify salary numbers for Jet Ski or personal watercraft mechanics.

However, if we look at the average salaries for marine and motorcycle technicians, it can serve as a general guide. As stated earlier, mechanics who work on Jet Skis will often work in a marina or motorcycle dealership.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for motorboat mechanics and service technicians in the United States was $49,990 in May 2023.³¹ And according to the BLS, the median annual salary for motorcycle mechanics in the U.S. was $46,270 in May 2023.³⁰

This means half of marine and motorcycle technicians earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.

Jet Ski mechanic certifications

There are no PWC-specific certifications, but some mechanics earn credentials from the brands that create them, like Kawasaki and Yamaha.

For instance, students who complete the Motorcycle Technician Prerequisite (MTP) program at Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) might choose to enroll in Kawasaki and/or Yamaha-endorsed training, where they can earn manufacturer-specific credentials! 

Studying for an associate degree in motorcycle or marine mechanics is another way to display your dedication and knowledge to potential employers. Alongside manufacturer-specific certifications, MMI graduates can also earn associate degrees.

How To Train To Become a Jet Ski Mechanic

As with most careers, you will most likely need to advance your education in order to become a personal watercraft mechanic.

While some technicians learn through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training, attending a formal program can help jump-start your career and prepare you for what you’ll experience in the field. While there might not technically be Jet Ski mechanic schools, there are programs you can take that provide a foundation of knowledge you can build on.

If your interests are more in line with the powersports industry, you may want to explore Motorcycle Mechanics Institute’s Motorcycle Technician Training program with the Kawasaki K-Tech or Yamaha YamaPro® courses. By going this route, you’ll receive training on multiple types of personal watercraft, as well as motorcycles and other powersport vehicles.

On the other hand, if you want to work specifically with watercraft, both large and small, Marine Mechanics Institute’s Marine Technician Specialist training program might be a great option to begin your career path.^1.3 While this program doesn’t cover personal watercraft specifically, it’s designed to help graduates get jobs as technicians in the marine industry.

When interviewing with a company for a Jet Ski Mechanic role, always make sure you’re prepared. Prior to meeting with an employer, take some time to research the company and position, perfect your resume and prepare some key questions you’ll want to ask. Check out these interview and resume guides for some helpful tips.

FAQs

How long does it take to become a Jet Ski mechanic?

The time it takes to become a jet ski mechanic depends on the path taken. MMI students can graduate in less than a year and begin pursuing roles as entry-level Jet Ski mechanics.⁷ Others break into the field after high school. However, this route may require significantly more on-the-job training and time before you can get hands-on with jet skis.

What are the most common issues Jet Ski mechanics deal with?

Jet Ski mechanics often deal with common issues such as engine problems, including overheating and poor fuel delivery, resulting from clogged filters or malfunctioning fuel pumps. Another frequent challenge is electrical faults, like battery failures or corroded connections, which can hinder performance. 

Can a general marine mechanic work on PWC?

While general marine mechanics have a broad understanding of marine engines and systems, working on personal watercraft often requires specialized training. Manufacturer-specific training can help mechanics address the distinct challenges of varying brands brought about by unique engine layouts and propulsion systems.

Prepare To Become a Jet Ski Mechanic

Both the motorcycle and the marine technician programs start multiple times throughout the year. To learn more and take the first step toward pursuing a new career, request more information, and an Admissions Representative will reach out to learn more about your passions and then advise on next steps!