Salary data is based on the Hattiesburg, MS metropolitan area and applied to Hattiesburg using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Outdoor Power Equipment And Other Small Engine Mechanics Salaries in Hattiesburg, MS

Average Base Pay

$41,623/yr

12% below national average

Monthly

$3,469

Hourly

$20

Cost Index

Outdoor Power Equipment And Other Small Engine Mechanics in Hattiesburg, MS earn an average of $41,623 per year, with most salaries falling between $33,298 and $49,948 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 12% below the national average, Hattiesburg offers a more modest rate for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 76. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Hattiesburg.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$31K
Low

$42K
Median

$52K
High

25th percentile: $35K75th percentile: $48K

About Outdoor Power Equipment And Other Small Engine Mechanics

Auto Mechanics diagnose, repair, and maintain vehicles to ensure they are safe and mechanically sound. They work on a wide range of systems including engines, transmissions, brakes, suspension, steering, electrical systems, air conditioning, and exhaust. Modern vehicle diagnostics require connecting scan tools to the vehicle's OBD-II system to read diagnostic trouble codes, interpret live data streams, and perform guided diagnostic procedures. Mechanics must then verify the root cause through physical inspection and component testing before making repairs. Brake service, oil changes, tire rotation, and tune-ups are routine maintenance tasks. Engine and transmission overhauls, timing belt replacements, and hybrid and electric vehicle battery system service represent the more complex end of the work. Auto mechanics must stay current on new vehicle technologies—particularly hybrid, electric, and advanced driver assistance systems—through manufacturer training and ASE certification programs. ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification is the industry standard credential, with master technician status representing proficiency across eight major automotive systems. The field increasingly requires as much computer literacy as mechanical skill.

What Outdoor Power Equipment And Other Small Engine Mechanics Do

Diagnose vehicle problems using scan tools, visual inspection, and component testing
Perform engine, transmission, brake, suspension, and electrical repairs
Complete routine maintenance services including oil changes and fluid flushes
Inspect vehicles and identify additional needed repairs
Communicate diagnoses and repair recommendations to service advisors
Test vehicles after repair to verify problem resolution
Maintain a clean and organized work area
Complete repair orders accurately for billing and warranty documentation

Key Skills & Qualifications

OBD-II scan tool proficiency and diagnostic code interpretation
Engine, drivetrain, brake, and suspension repair
Electrical system diagnosis using wiring diagrams and multimeters
HVAC and air conditioning system service (EPA 609 certification)
Hybrid and electric vehicle safety procedures
ASE certification (A1-A8, master technician preferred)
Physical stamina and dexterity
Customer communication through service advisors

Career Path

Lube Technician / Apprentice
Auto Mechanic / Service Technician
ASE Certified Technician
Master Technician
Service Manager / Shop Owner

Outdoor Power Equipment And Other Small Engine Mechanics Market in Hattiesburg, MS

Salary Competitiveness

Hattiesburg currently pays 12% below the national median for Outdoor Power Equipment And Other Small Engine Mechanics. This gap can reflect a lower regional cost base, thinner employer density, or a surplus of qualified candidates relative to open roles—factors worth factoring into any offer negotiation or relocation calculation.

Cost of Living Impact

Hattiesburg's cost of living runs below the national average, which works in favor of this salary. Essential monthly expenses account for approximately 78% of take-home pay—a ratio that leaves meaningful room for savings, debt reduction, and discretionary spending compared with higher-cost metros.

Effective Purchasing Power

Despite a competitive gross salary, a Outdoor Power Equipment And Other Small Engine Mechanics earning $41,623 in Hattiesburg operates in a tight purchasing-power band once taxes and local cost of living are applied. Careful planning around housing, transportation, and discretionary spending is essential to avoid running negative disposable income month to month.

vs. National Avg

-12%

Cost Pressure

78%

Purchasing Power

Tight

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$30,385

Monthly

$2,532

Weekly

$584

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $41,623 for a Outdoor Power Equipment And Other Small Engine Mechanics in Hattiesburg translates to roughly $2,532 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $1,971—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $561 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Hattiesburg's current market.

How far does this salary go in Hattiesburg?

Cost of Living in Hattiesburg

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Hattiesburg, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,133/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$378/mo

🚗Transportation$102/mo

💡Utilities$133/mo

🏥Healthcare$225/mo

Monthly$1,971

Annual$23,652

Disposable Income$561

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Hattiesburg to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$2,532

Living Costs

$1,971

Disposable

$561

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Tight

With a monthly take-home of $2,532, your estimated living costs in Hattiesburg are $1,971 ($23,652/yr). This leaves $561 per month in disposable income, indicating a tight standard of living. Hattiesburg's cost of living is 24% below the national average.

Overall, a Outdoor Power Equipment And Other Small Engine Mechanics earning $41,623 in Hattiesburg falls into a tight lifestyle tier and will need to budget carefully—essential costs consume a significant share of take-home pay, leaving limited room for savings or emergencies. With a cost index of 76, Hattiesburg is 24% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Hattiesburg continue to evolve.