Motorcycle mechanics
SOC Code: 49-3052
Motorcycle mechanics carries a 21% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $47,200 and +5.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 14,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 21% AI exposure, Motorcycle mechanics sits 16 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 8% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Motorcycle mechanics sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Motorcycle mechanics has ai exposure of 21%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Motorcycle mechanics vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Motorcycle mechanics is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Motorcycle mechanics (SOC 49-3052) carries an AI exposure score of 21%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 14,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.3% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $47,200, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Postsecondary nondegree award, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Motorcycle mechanics. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Mount, balance, change, or check condition or pressure of tires.
- 2. Replace defective parts, using hand tools, arbor presses, flexible power presses, or power tools.
- 3. Dismantle engines and repair or replace defective parts, such as magnetos, carburetors, or generators.
- 4. Connect test panels to engines and measure generator output, ignition timing, or other engine performance indicators.
- 5. Listen to engines, examine vehicle frames, or confer with customers to determine nature and extent of malfunction or damage.
- 6. Repair or replace other parts, such as headlights, horns, handlebar controls, gasoline or oil tanks, starters, or mufflers.
- 7. Disassemble subassembly units and examine condition, movement, or alignment of parts, visually or using gauges.
- 8. Repair or adjust motorcycle subassemblies, such as forks, transmissions, brakes, or drive chains, according to specifications.
- 9. Reassemble frames and reinstall engines after repairs.
- 10. Remove cylinder heads and grind valves to scrape off carbon and replace defective valves, pistons, cylinders, or rings, using hand and power tools.
Key Skills Required
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Sales and Marketing
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Transportation
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Motorcycle mechanics?
Motorcycle mechanics has an AI exposure score of 21%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Motorcycle mechanics?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Motorcycle mechanics is projected to grow by 5.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 14,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Motorcycle mechanics?
Key skills for Motorcycle mechanics include Troubleshooting, Repairing, Equipment Maintenance, and others. Typical entry-level education is Postsecondary nondegree award.
How much do Motorcycle mechanics earn?
The median annual wage for Motorcycle mechanics is $47,200, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Motorcycle mechanics?
The typical entry-level education for Motorcycle mechanics is Postsecondary nondegree award. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Motorcycle mechanics?
Motorcycle mechanics roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).