How to hire an auto body detailer

How to hire an auto body detailer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step auto body detailer hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an auto body detailer, 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?

   Yes

   No

   An auto body detailer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, auto body detailers 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 auto body detailer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Auto Body Detailer	Description	Hourly rate
   Auto Body Detailer	Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.	$10-16
   Paint Technician	The responsibilities of a Paint Technician primarily depend on their place or industry of employment. In the automotive industry, a Paint Technician specializes in painting new vehicles, conducting paint repairs, or providing custom paint services... Show more	$13-23
   Body Shop Technician	A body shop technician specializes in repairing and restoring the exteriors of vehicles. It is their responsibility to assess vehicle damage reports, conduct inspections, develop plans, provide cost estimates, remove damaged parts and attach new ones, realign frames and structures, perform installations and upgrades, and refinish surfaces... Show more	$12-31

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Vehicles
   • Vacuums
   • Loose Dirt
   • Auto Body Repair

   Responsibilities:

   • Attain ICAR and ASE master technician status.
   • Include mixing and measuring of various chemicals, also sanding, and sandblasting, bondo work, and dent repair.
   • Straighten, repair, and replace automotive body parts and frames; including metal straightening, bondo work, and welding.
   • Provide professional automobile detailing services with a variety of cleaning techniques and products to ensure the desired level of superior cleanliness.
   • Utilize sophisticate diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot and correct vehicle computer, electrical, and mechanical, problems.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your auto body detailer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An auto body detailer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, auto body detailers' average salary in indiana is 37% less than in maine.
   • Seniority. Entry-level auto body detailers earn 38% less than senior-level auto body detailers.
   • Certifications. An auto body detailer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an auto body detailer's salary.

   Average auto body detailer salary

   $13.16hourly

   $27,378 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level auto body detailer salary

   $21,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

4. Writing an auto body detailer job description

   A job description for an auto body detailer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an auto body detailer job description:

   Auto body detailer job description example

   Body Imager - Partnership Track or Hybrid Track - 25k Sign On Bonus!

   Allentown, Pennsylvania

   Medical Imaging of Lehigh Valley (MILV), the largest independent private practice group in Pennsylvania seeking a fellowship trained BC/BE Body Imager to join our team of 90 radiologists. Performing over 1.25 million radiology exams per year state-of-the-art equipment at 11 campuses and multiple outpatient centers within Lehigh Valley Health Network which has a Level I trauma center and a comprehensive cancer center. The position is based at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) Allentown campus. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of sub-specialty care to all our patients. Our goal is to remain a physician owned private practice and enjoy the freedom to control our own destiny.

   Full-time position requiring onsite coverage at the Allentown/Muhlenberg campus with partnership opportunity for the suitable candidate. Hybrid track would be an employment or independent contractor position with onsite and remote reading assignments. Reporting responsibilities include Body Cross sectional imaging, Ultrasonography, fluoroscopy and Plain films. The body section also reports PET-CT, CT Colonoscopy, Body MRI, Cardiovascular MRI, and other state of the art imaging, depending on the Radiologist's skill set and training. The section also participates in various multidisciplinary conferences. We have Universal Phillips PACS and Powerscribe 360.

   Candidates completing a fellowship for a July 2023- 24 start are encouraged to apply.

   Our colleagues enjoy the following perks:

   • For candidates in fellowship, we have a fellowship stipend program of up to $1000 a month from the date of signing a contract.
   • Robust benefits package including relocation expenses, CME, health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k), participation in profit sharing retirement plan.
   • Competitive Salary commensurate with skills and experience.
   • Fully paid Malpractice Insurance Coverage
   • Remote reading for hybrid track

   The Lehigh Valley is a geographically and culturally diverse area, serving a mixture of urban, suburban, and rural populations. It is conveniently located in eastern Pennsylvania, approximately 1 hour from Philadelphia and 1.5 hours from New York City. Its proximity to major cities, coupled with affordable housing, strong school systems, and numerous cultural and recreational activities have made the Lehigh Valley one of the fastest growing regions in Pennsylvania.

   Candidates completing a fellowship for a July 2023- 24 start

   Body Cross sectional imaging, Ultrasonography, fluoroscopy and Plain films. The body section also reports PET-CT, CT Colonoscopy, Body MRI, Cardiovascular MRI, and other state of the art imaging, depending on the Radiologist's skill set and training. The section also participates in various multidisciplinary conferences

   
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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right auto body detailer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your auto body detailer job on Zippia to find and recruit auto body detailer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit auto body detailers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 auto body detailer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the auto body detailer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new auto body detailer. 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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