A portable air compressor (10) includes a motor (24) having an output shaft (76) and a compressor (18) having an input shaft (66). The compressor (18) further includes a lower mounting surface (64) and an upper cooling surface (60). The upper cooling surface (60) lies in a common plane with the output shaft (76) of the motor (24). A drive linkage (26) operably couples the output shaft (76) of the motor (24) for concurrent rotation with the input shaft (66) of the compressor (18). A fan (80) is coupled for rotation with the output shaft (76) of the motor (24) and directs air across the upper cooling surface (60).