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How to hire an agricultural equipment mechanic

Agricultural equipment mechanic hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring agricultural equipment mechanics in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire an agricultural equipment mechanic is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new agricultural equipment mechanic to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an agricultural equipment mechanic, step by step

To hire an agricultural equipment mechanic, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire an agricultural equipment mechanic:

Here's a step-by-step agricultural equipment mechanic hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an agricultural equipment mechanic job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new agricultural equipment mechanic
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring an agricultural equipment mechanic, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    An agricultural equipment mechanic's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, agricultural equipment mechanics from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list presents agricultural equipment mechanic salaries for various positions.

    Type of Agricultural Equipment MechanicDescriptionHourly rate
    Agricultural Equipment MechanicHeavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, rail transportation, and other industries.$12-36
    Remote Services TechnicianA remote services technician assists customers with products and services. They are technical supporters who address customer issues with their bills, charges, and installation of products... Show more$13-37
    In Shop Service TechnicianIn-shop service technicians, also known as field service technicians, perform different services depending on their specific area of expertise. Amongst other things, they troubleshoot problems and make the needed repairs within an organization... Show more$14-29
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CDL
    • Electrical Systems
    • Agricultural Equipment
    • Oil Changes
    • Diesel Engines
    Responsibilities:
    • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
    • Operate and maintain forklifts, generators MRAP, numerous military vehicles and tractor-trailer combinations.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your agricultural equipment mechanic job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An agricultural equipment mechanic can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, agricultural equipment mechanics' average salary in missouri is 55% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level agricultural equipment mechanics 64% less than senior-level agricultural equipment mechanics.
    • Certifications. An agricultural equipment mechanic with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an agricultural equipment mechanic's salary.

    Average agricultural equipment mechanic salary

    $45,234yearly

    $21.75 hourly rate

    Entry-level agricultural equipment mechanic salary
    $27,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average agricultural equipment mechanic salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$43,795$21
    2Texas$37,293$18
    3Florida$37,199$18
    4Florida$36,936$18
    5Washington$35,271$17
    6Washington$33,670$16
    7Washington$33,469$16
    8Washington$33,177$16
    9Washington$33,114$16
    10Washington$32,863$16
    11Washington$32,745$16
    12Washington$32,544$16
    13Washington$31,634$15
    14Washington$31,608$15
    15Washington$31,579$15
    16Washington$31,552$15
    17Washington$31,518$15
    18Washington$31,403$15
    19Washington$31,376$15
    20Washington$31,374$15

    Average agricultural equipment mechanic salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Seneca Foods$50,945$24.499
    2Robert and$46,769$22.49
    3Diamond R Fertilizer$44,917$21.59
    4Kelly Tractor Co$36,903$17.74
    5R.M. Schulte & Associates$32,852$15.794
  4. Writing an agricultural equipment mechanic job description

    An agricultural equipment mechanic job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an agricultural equipment mechanic job description:

    Agricultural equipment mechanic job description example

    Whether you have experience with agricultural or lawn and garden equipment, or have a mechanical background and the desire to learn the Ag and/or Turf industry - now is the time to join our team! We are offering a $5,000 Sign-On Bonus! This is your opportunity for a long term career with a top employer and well-respected organization that offers great pay, above average benefits, and real advancement opportunities. If you want to be in the equipment industry, then you want to work for Atlantic Tractor, a 19 location John Deere dealership.

    Atlantic Tractor, recently certified as a Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute, is looking for a John Deere Agriculture EquipmentMechanic to join the Service department at its store in Oxford, Pennsylvania.

    * Outstanding benefits including - $5,000 Sign-On Bonus (Expires 10/31/2022); 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match; Health, Dental, Vision and Prescription Insurance; Health Saving Accounts; Life Insurance; Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance; Paid Time Off; Paid Holidays; Company Paid Online and Instructor-Led Training; EAP (Employee Assistance Program); Discounts on products.

    * Advancement- Due to the continued growth of the company, you can advance into a management role. Many of the managers and supervisors in our dealerships began their careers in Service, Parts or Sales.

    * Stability and reputation- Atlantic Tractor has 19 locations and over 450 employees. Atlantic Tractor is known for their stability, their honesty, and their integrity. We have been named "Satisfyed Top Dealers" from 2018 through 2022. As a result of our continued growth, we have become one of the largest agricultural and equipment dealers in the Mid-Atlantic region while maintaining local community values.

    * Employee impact- Enjoy a collaborative work environment where your voice will be heard and your opinions will matter.

    * Training- We offer you company paid training and mentoring to prepare you for your role and continued learning to grow your skills.

    * Core Values - We operate under a set of core values which we call the 6P's of Performance. These six values are Passionate; Positive; People-Oriented; Productive; Professional and Proud. Our core values summarize our commitment to a culture of self-improvement and exceptional customer experiences which were uniquely developed by our employees.

    This is a career where you will find pride in the work you do and will have the support you need to ensure your success.
    Responsibilities:

    * Performs advanced diagnostics and repairs on agricultural equipment and turf equipment and established AG Management Solutions (AMS) products.
    * Conducts and supports customer clinics.
    * Maintains current knowledge of John Deere and competitive products.
    * May perform diagnostic repairs in the field.

    Experience, Education, Skills and Knowledge:

    * Preferably one year of experience performing service repairs, but will train the right person.
    * Ability to perform advanced repairs and maintenance using special tools and equipment following Technical Manual procedures.
    * Advanced knowledge of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems used in the repair of agricultural equipment.
    * High School Diploma or equivalent.
    * Valid Driver's license.

    The pay range for this position is $18-$38 per hour based on experience.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find agricultural equipment mechanics for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your agricultural equipment mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit agricultural equipment mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit agricultural equipment mechanics, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new agricultural equipment mechanic

    Once you've found the agricultural equipment mechanic candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new agricultural equipment mechanic. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire an agricultural equipment mechanic?

Before you start to hire agricultural equipment mechanics, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire agricultural equipment mechanics pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $45,234 per year for an agricultural equipment mechanic, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for agricultural equipment mechanics in the US typically range between $12 and $36 an hour.

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