Why We Love It
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$27,900Potential Avg. Salary
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22.2%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Creativity FocusedCareer Attribute
As a bicycle mechanic or technician, your role will be to assemble, test and service all kinds of bicycles for customers. You may also perform bicycle modifications based on the requirements of a client.
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What is a Bicycle Mechanic or Technician?
Duties
A bicycle mechanic or technician performs a range of diverse functions such as those listed below:
- Clean, grease, tune, adjust and assemble bicycles for all manner of audiences.
- Maintain and support a fleet of bikes for educational, marketing and employee purposes.
- Manage the inventory and organization of your equipment, supplies and work tools.
- Schedule assignments and keep a log of transactions that are accurate, timely and complete.
- Under the guidance of an assistant manager or bike fleet manager, make sure that bicycles are in working order for customers through work in the bike shop and in the field.
Day In The Life
Your job will allow you to engage in every aspect of maintaining quality bicycles, whether it is building or making advanced repairs on trendy new racing bikes or well-used comfort bikes. Providing outstanding customer experience combined with speedy repairs will be your chief focus in order to serve dynamic needs. Once in a while, you will also be attending events like demo rides and trade shows.
Collaborating with a team of fellow bike mechanics and ensuring that services are provided for incredible results is a big part of day-to-day work. In addition, you will run quality checks on bicycles and discuss detailed solutions and care with the customer. Further, you will also identify whether the bike parts need lubrication with your deep understanding of bicycle suspension and wheel products.
As a bicycle mechanic or technician, you will utilize your keen eye for detail to easily recognize faulty equipment and carry out the required maintenance or repairs. Using strong IT skills, you may also oversee placing orders online for bike parts, keeping records of stock and processing documents for accounting purposes.
Work Schedule And Typical Hours
The daily work schedule for those working as bike mechanics is approximately 35 to 40 hours per week. Occasionally, you will have to take on shifts during the weekend and evenings. The work environment is indoors, in a workshop setting where you will either work on your own or with an organised team of other mechanics.
Your role is demanding and requires physical stamina when dealing with tools, chemicals, cleaning products and greasing agents. If your bicycle company provides support for cycling events, you may travel for work to provide technical support, interact with suppliers or dealers, and undertake repairs.
Growth Of The Job
You can progress to the role of head mechanic with three to five years of experience. Self-employment is another option for those looking to be independent business owners of a bike shop.
Typical Employers
Bicycle mechanics or technicians are employed at small bicycle shops or large sporting goods stores. Employer names that require such personnel to keep bikes in top notch shape are: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Citi Bike, Specialized Bicycle Components, Wounded Warrior Project, Scoot Networks, US National Whitewater Center, Trek Bicycle, Cannondale and Pacific Cycle.
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How To Become a Bicycle Mechanic or Technician
All entry level positions for bicycle mechanics or technicians require you to obtain a high school diploma or GED. Taking classes related to mechanics in high school can give you the basics of the skillset you need to successfully complete your tasks. To gain an edge in the job market, you could also complete a bicycle repair course that will teach you about topics such as handlebar positions, tire replacement and brake adjustment.
By contrast, you can choose to gain your skills through applied experience on-the-job, versus coursework. Some employers provide a 2-day intensive class to equip you with the basics on the skills, knowledge and techniques needed to be a successful technician. Prospective applicants in the field also learn the ropes by working at a bicycle shop as helpers alongside experienced professionals. After the initial learning phase, you get a grasp on how to assemble bicycles and perform tune-ups.
While certification is not a requirement, you can choose to gain the qualification for better job opportunities. Only a few organisations provide this option, such as the United Bicycle Institute (UBI), S-Tec, Fox and the Barnett Bicycle Institute. Continuous education is an important requirement that can make a difference in your career trajectory working as a technician. Subscribing to specialized industry publications and doing occasional research on the latest trends will be a big advantage.
Bicycle Mechanic or Technician Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$22,140Average
$27,900High Range
$38,110National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$11/hrAverage
$13/hrHigh Range
$18/hrHow do Bicycle Mechanic or Technician salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Bicycle Mechanic or Technician's can make an average annual salary of $27,900, or $13 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $22,140 or $11 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#729 Nationally for All Careers
Highest Education Among Bicycle Mechanic or Technicians
- 0.1% Doctorate
- 0.2% Masters
- 5.1% Bachelors
- 4.6% Associates
- 17.2% College
- 46.8% High School
- 26.1% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
10,8002024 Est. Jobs
13,200Job Growth Rate
22.2%Est. New Jobs
2,400How does Bicycle Mechanic or Technician job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 2,400 jobs for a total of 13,200 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 22.2% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#40 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Bicycle Mechanic or Technicians
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting goods stores | 9,000 | 2,300 | 2% |
| Self-employed workers | 400 | --- | --- |
| Department stores | 400 | -100 | 0% |
