When I was younger, I dreamed of having a job that dealt with machines and how they move. Today, I work as a mechanical engineer and my love for motorcycles made that happen.
If you’re young and wondering what you should pursue as a career when you get older, or if you’re simply looking for a career change and would love to work with motorcycles, this article was made for you! A lot of people may discourage you from pursuing a career with motorcycles, some may say it’s not possible. Lucky for you, I’ve done all the research for you and you can decide weather or not a motorcycle career is for you. Below is a list of helpful, detailed information about each career associated with motorcycles.
Motorcycle Brand Ambassador
Description: A Motorcycle Brand Ambassador is, in sorts, a glorified motorcycle brand salesman. Other people refer to it as a “secret salesman.” As a Motorcycle Brand Ambassador, you plan events and conventions for the company/brand and oversee the set-up and display of the events.
During such events, you would be representing the brand and engage the customers and possible consumers; you would educate them about the motorcycle, motorcycle part, or motorcycle brand. You should also expect to travel a lot with this job. This may also include having a social media account focused on a particular motorcycle product or brand.
Education required: A job like this looks kindly upon a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or business though a bachelor’s degree is not required. Employers usually require some sort of marketing experience, however, and motorcycle experience would also look great on your resume
Pay: You can expect to be paid around $50,000 – $60,000 a year in addition to commissions.
How to get started: There are several ways to get started in a career like this, especially if there is a specific motorcycle brand you’d like to work for. You’ll need to have experience with motorcycles, especially specific to the brand you’re aiming for. Though a bachelor’s degree helps, it’s not required. If you do have a bachelor’s degree, use that to your advantage even if it’s not related to sales and marketing.
Auto and Motorcycle Appraiser/Adjuster
Description: This job will entail motorcycles but also include cars as well. So if you’re a motorcycle and car guru, this job is for you.
To work as an auto and motorcycle appraiser/adjuster, you will need to have a knowledge of cars and motorcycles, their worth, and know about how much it would cost to fix them, or know when to deem them totaled.
You will most likely be working for an insurance agency and assess vehicles that have been involved in accidents.
Education required: Having a bachelor’s degree (non-specific) will help with getting a job like this, but it is not required. You will need to have experience with cars and motorcycles, mainly knowing how to fix them.
You’ll usually need to have an insurance adjuster’s license or a willingness to complete one after getting hired. You’ll also need to take CE (Continuing Education) courses to keep you up to date on your license.
Pay: You can expect to start out around $50,000 – $70,000 a year in this career. If you plan on being an independent appraiser, you can expect to make around $80,000 a year.
How to get started: With or without a bachelor’s degree, you have a chance at getting a job like this. You will need to obtain your adjuster’s license. The requirements for this are different in every state, but basically you’ll need to pay a fee, obtain a study sheet, and take a test to become licensed. Some states require both an adjuster and appraiser license.
Motorcycle Detailer
Description: With a job like a motorcycle detailer, you’ll mostly find yourself in a motorcycle shop or motorcycle dealership. You’ll be expected to wash and detail the motorcycles on display, clean and maintain the service department, relocate motorcycles, and perform minor paint repair on minimal blemishes on the bikes.
Education required: There is no formal education required for a job like this. You are, however, required to have a driver’s license as well as a motorcycle license (M Endorsement is usually preferred) because you will be riding and moving the motorcycles around.
Pay: A job like this usually pays around $17 – $25 an hour or about $35,000-$52,000 a year.
How to get started: Because no education is required, it is a little easier to get into this career. If you don’t have your motorcycle license, you’ll need to get it as it is a requirement for this job. To obtain your motorcycle license, you’ll need to take a written and driving test at your local DMV.
Motorcycle Rider Coach
Description: There are some states that require a Basic Rider Education Course before obtaining a motorcycle license. A lot of places also host Motorcycle Safety Programs for motorcyclists who wish to take the course on their own. As a motorcycle enthusiast, you can become an instructor for one or both of these courses.
In this career, you will be expected to provide your classroom of potential riders to a hands-on range of instructions about motorcycles including lesson plans, riding instructions, mentoring, etc.
Education required: There is no formal college education required for this job. You will need to successfully complete an Instructor Preparation Course to become an instructor of the subject, become First Aid and CPR certified, and hold an active motorcycle license for at least 3 years.
Pay: The pay for a job like this usually runs between $25 – $30 per hour. Jobs like this, however, are usually part-time but it is possible to find a full time position.
How to get started: If hired, the job will usually provide you with the Instructor Preparation course needed to prepare you for teaching others how to ride motorcycles safely. If you don’t know how to ride a motorcycle but are still interested in a job like this, you’ll need to get a motorcycle now and ride it for several years as it is required. You can find First Aid and CPR courses online for relatively cheap.
Motorcycle Tour Guide
Description: If you have some extra time in the summer or looking for something seasonal to feed your motorcycle love, this could be the type of job for you.
As a motorcycle tour guide, you will be guiding other motorcyclists around a touristy area, most likely national parks or something similar.
You will be required to safely lead the motorcycle groups, work closely with each member of the tour, research the routes and the attractions, and be able to help with motorcycle mechanical issues.
Education: There is no formal education required for a position like this, just a motorcycle license with riding experience.
Pay: You can expect to be paid about $100 – $150 per day plus tips. You will not need to pay for your own hotel, fuel, and food if the tours are longer; the company you work for should cover those expenses.
How to get started: You must be available the whole summer/season and be on call 24 hours a day while on a tour. You must have experience with motorcycles and have at least a basic knowledge of the area you will be touring. It also helps if you are able to speak another foreign language (mainly spanish and french.)
Motorcycle Journalist
Description: In this job, you will be writing everything about motorcycles, whether that be in a newspaper, periodical, book, or magazine. While working under a supervisor (if you don’t become one yourself), you will be prompted on what to write about and may be required to travel, interview people, test out material, and write reviews.
Education required: To pursue this career, you will be required to obtain a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or something else related.
Pay: The average pay of a journalist is about $60,000 a year. It will be less when you start out, but as you continue to prove the quality of your writing your pay will increase.
How to get started: You will need to attend an accredited college or university that provides education and degrees in communications, journalism, english, or writing. These degrees will take four years to complete if you attend school full time.
Own A Motorcycle Restoration Shop
Description: This is an excellent career choice for any motorcycle enthusiast and is actually what a lot of people end up doing because it gives them more freedom to do what they want with motorcycles.
This career choice includes fixing and repairing motorcycles, restoring motorcycles per customer request, and purchasing, restoring, and selling your own motorcycles for a profit.
Education: There is no formal education required to open up your own motorcycle shop, though an associates or bachelor’s degree in business can be quite helpful in figuring out the financial and marketing side of everything. You’ll also need to have an extensive knowledge about different brands of motorcycles.
Pay: This all entirely depends on how much work you do yourself, how many workers you hire, how big your shop is, etc. You can expect to pocket yourself about 30% of all money made from your shop. That includes paying for employees, tools, parts, business rent/mortgage, etc.
How to get started: First, you’ll need to decide what kind of shop you want, meaning you’ll need to find potential places to open up your store. You’ll need to write up a business plan so the SBA (Small Business Administration) has an understanding of what kind of work you’ll be doing.
Get professional advice from an accountant and a lawyer so all of your bases are covered. You’ll also need to contact your state and obtain the special licenses and permits required by them. It’s also a good idea to get an LLC (Limited Liability Company) to protect yourself legally.
You’ll then need to make a budget and figure out how much money you’ll need to start the business altogether. Over estimate how much you’ll need because unexpected expenses always pop up.
Motorcycle Salesman
Description: If you love motorcycles and could talk about them all day, this job would be a great option for you.
In this career, you will be selling motorcycles to customers who are interested in purchasing and/or learning more about them. You will be working with specific brands of motorcycles such as Harley Davidson, Honda, Indian, etc. so figure which brand you know more about so you can apply your knowledge.
You’ll need to be friendly, dependable, and have a vast knowledge about the motorcycles you’ll be selling.
Education required: There is no formal education required for this career. Once hired, you will need to complete training and be able to implement your knowledge into your work.
Pay: The average pay for a motorcycle salesman ranges from $40,000 to $50,000 plus commissions from an independent motorcycle sales shop. You can expect to get paid around $45,000-$55,000 plus commissions at a well known brand motorcycle shop.
How to get started: If there is a particular shop you’d like to work at, learn as much as you can about their motorcycles before applying. That way your application appears more impressive which increases your chances of getting hired. Make yourself look professional and presentable.
Motorcycle Police Officer
Description: Though it’s not always guaranteed that you will always be riding a motorcycle, there are a lot of police officers who do ride a motorcycle when the weather is warm.
The duties of a police officer riding a motorcycle does not differ much from a police officer driving a car, aside from being able to accompany those who have been arrested. As a police officer, you will be protecting life and property through the enforcement of state and federal laws and ordinances.
Education: The completion of high school and the state’s Police Academy is required.
Pay: The average pay of a police officer is about $48,000 – $66,000 a year.
How to get started: You will need to complete high school or get a GED (General Education Diploma). You will need a clean criminal record because felonies will disqualify you from this profession. If you wish to become more advanced in law enforcement, such as the FBI, you will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Before you become admitted into the police academy, you must take an entrance exam and pass it.
Industrial Engineer
Description: An industrial engineer assesses production processes and works to eliminate wastefulness. They research methods to optimize the use of workers, machines, and resources.
As an industrial engineer, you can work with a large motorcycle company and take part in designing the machines that actually make the motorcycles and the motorcycle parts, as well as take part in the process of the whole factory itself and improve quality and productivity.
Education required: A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering is required. This will take 4-5 years to complete.
Pay: The average pay of an industrial engineer ranges between $65,000 to $75,000 per year.
How to get started: You will need to attend an accredited college or university that offers an industrial engineering degree. If you plan on attending school full-time, this will take 4-5 years to complete. If you plan to do part time, it will take a little longer, depending on how part-time you are.
Mechanical Engineer
Description: This one is my personal favorite because it is the career path I decided to take. A mechanical engineer develops and designs machines and are involved with the control and automation of manufacturing systems.
As a mechanical engineer, you can work with a large motorcycle company and work behind the scenes, creating the beauty that everyone loves. In other words, you get to design the motorcycles themselves.
Education required: You will need to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Pay: Mechanical Engineers earn an average of $65,000 – $85,000 a year with a huge potential to earn more depending on your experience.
How to get started: You will need to attend an accredited college or university that offers a mechanical engineering degree. Usually, at the end of your schooling you will need to take the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam to prove your are able to implement your knowledge.
Automotive Engineer
Description: An automotive engineer is similar to what a mechanical engineer can to in the automotive world. Automotive engineers troubleshoot and design manufacturing processes. This type of engineering is specific and can only be used in the automotive industry.
Again, you can work with a large motorcycle company in designing motorcycles. You would be designing specific parts and systems to provide customers the optimal experience as they ride the motorcycles you and your coworkers produce.
You can also work in a call center for said companies and provide troubleshooting and assistance to mechanic shops that are unable to find solutions to motorcycle issues.
Education: There are a few ways of getting a career in the automotive engineering field. The first is to obtain an automotive engineering bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Unfortunately, there are only a few colleges or universities that offer this four year degree.
The second option would be to obtain your mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree with an minor in automotive engineering (which is actually what I did). This option is a lot more common to find among colleges and universities.
Pay: The average pay for an automotive engineer is $60,000 – $70,000 per year.
How to get started: If you wish you get your bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering, you’ll need to find the closest school to you that offers that degree. You may have to relocate to attend that specific school. Otherwise, plan on finding a school that offers a mechanical engineering degree with an automotive engineering minor.
Motorcycle Mechanic
Description: If you prefer working on motorcycles and don’t care much about talking to people, working as a motorcycle mechanic is a good choice for you.
Generally, a motorcycle mechanic is responsible for repairs and maintenance for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, and other recreational vehicles. This mainly involves fixing and repairing the engine, transmission, brakes, and body damage.
Education required: For a lot of motorcycle shops, no formal education is required to become a motorcycle mechanic. A lot of shops offer on-the-job training.
Pay: The average pay of a motorcycle mechanic is about $40,000 – $45,000 a year.
How to get started: You must have a thorough knowledge of how a motorcycle functions for both older and newer motorcycles. You must complete on-the-job training and knowing how to ride a motorcycle is a plus.
Motorcycle Technician
Description: Being a motorcycle technician is very similar to being a motorcycle mechanic. You will be dealing with and fixing motorcycle issues and providing maintenance care. You’ll also be working with a range of recreational vehicles.
Education required: Though you are essentially doing the same work as a motorcycle mechanic, a motorcycle technician requires a certificate, meaning you completed further education related to mechanics.
Pay: Because you have further education than a motorcycle mechanic, you get paid a little more. The average pay for a motorcycle technician is about $45,000 – $50,000 per year.
How to get started: A high school diploma or GED is required as well as a certificate earned from a technical or trade school. This certificate can usually be completed in a few months and some schools even offer this course online.
Shop Foreman
Description: a motorcycle shop foreman (or an auto shop foreman) is a workshop manager. Aside from assisting in repairs and maintenance on the vehicles, a shop foreman can also be a part of the more technical side of the shop and provide quality control, making sure the employees are doing their job correctly.
A shop foreman can work in any type of shop but can find themselves getting paid more if they work for a larger franchise.
Education required: To become a shop foreman, or a shop manager, you will need to obtain an associates in mechanics, such as automotive service technology.
Pay: You can expect your salary to range between $55,000 – $60,000 per year working as a shop foreman.
How to get started: Contact your local technical or community college and see what they have to offer for mechanics education. You will need an associates so it will generally take about two years to complete though some programs can expedite your time to one and a half years. Often colleges will offer online classes to make it easier for people who are already working.
It also helps to have experience working in a motorcycle shop already. If you are already working in a shop, you may find yourself working your way up in positions and pay grades with the more education you get.
Technical Educator Instructor
Description: As a technical educator instructor, you will be teaching and instructing students on the various technical subjects in the automotive world, including motorcycles. You will be providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to enter into such an occupation.
In this career, you can instruct students in high school or post secondary schools.
Education: You will be required to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and to have extensive knowledge about the automotive world, especially motorcycles.
Pay: The average pay for a technical education instructor ranges between $52,000 – $58,000 a year.
How to get started: Technical education instructors need to have no less than a bachelor’s degree. It’s also required to have work experience in the motorcycle/auto mechanic world so you can convey your knowledge to your students.
This career choice offers flexibility with your hours in a sense that you can teach evening and weekend classes if that works better for your schedule.
Conclusion
There are a surprisingly large number of options when it comes to careers with motorcycles. If you love motorcycles and hope to find a job that’ll pay you to use or work on one, you have plenty of options! Motorcycles are all around us, it makes sense that motorcycle careers are all around us, too.