How to hire an auto mechanic

How to hire an auto mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step auto 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 auto mechanic job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new auto mechanic
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an auto mechanic do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The auto mechanic hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An auto mechanic's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, auto 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of auto mechanics and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Auto Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Auto Mechanic	Automotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.	$13-28
   Diesel Technician	Diesel technicians specialize in repairing and handling the maintenance of vehicles powered by diesel. They are primarily responsible for inspecting cars, conducting tests, and identifying its problems to determine what course of action to take... Show more	$15-31
   Tire Technician	Tire technicians typically work in car dealerships and automotive repair shops to inspect, replace, install and repair tires on trucks, cars, and other vehicles. They tend to work alongside the mechanics with a focus on ensuring that tires are reliable, safe, and work with other car systems... Show more	$12-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Vehicles
   • Customer Service
   • Diagnosis
   • Engine Tune-Ups
   • Oil Changes
   • Preventive Maintenance
   • Engine Repair
   • ASE
   • Maintenance Services
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Drive Vehicles
   • Shop Equipment
   • R
   • Test Components

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Help with CDL training for qualify drivers.
   • Preform all dot and pm service paperwork and records.
   • Update material safety data sheets in accordance with OSHA standards.
   • Regulate the safety test on locomotives by the air brake tests.
   • Certify ASE technician in front-end suspensions and alignment and hydraulic brake systems.
   • Used electronic engine-testing equipment, drill presses, hydraulic hoists, pulleys, jacks and other power tools.

   More auto mechanic duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the auto mechanic job description is a good way to get more applicants. An auto mechanic salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for an auto mechanic in New Hampshire may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level auto mechanic. Additionally, an auto mechanic with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average auto mechanic salary

   $41,683yearly

   $20.04 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level auto mechanic salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

   Average auto mechanic salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$48,126	$23
   2	Maryland	$48,101	$23
   3	Virginia	$47,249	$23
   4	New Jersey	$46,862	$23
   5	Colorado	$45,922	$22
   6	Minnesota	$45,436	$22
   7	California	$45,321	$22
   8	Arizona	$44,159	$21
   9	Michigan	$42,247	$20
   10	Texas	$41,767	$20
   11	New York	$40,477	$19
   12	Tennessee	$39,596	$19
   13	Pennsylvania	$38,762	$19
   14	Indiana	$37,004	$18
   15	Illinois	$36,980	$18
   16	Ohio	$35,645	$17
   17	Oklahoma	$35,015	$17
   18	North Carolina	$34,868	$17
   19	Georgia	$34,809	$17
   20	Alabama	$32,724	$16

   Average auto mechanic salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	City of Detroit	$78,062	$37.53	2
   2	National Grid plc	$68,569	$32.97	4
   3	Eversource Energy	$67,862	$32.63	21
   4	Con Edison	$57,908	$27.84	3
   5	DLR Group	$56,468	$27.15	1
   6	Arlington County, VA	$53,886	$25.91	2
   7	Northrop Grumman	$53,851	$25.89	24
   8	Rapid International	$51,508	$24.76	6
   9	Hummingbird Trading	$50,719	$24.38
   10	State of Connecticut	$50,617	$24.34
   11	UPS	$45,937	$22.09	143
   12	Turner Industries	$45,821	$22.03	12
   13	Honda of Seattle	$45,753	$22.00
   14	Crescent Service	$45,251	$21.76
   15	Group One	$45,112	$21.69
   16	CarMax	$44,416	$21.35	44
   17	Towne Auto Group	$44,393	$21.34	9
   18	CESAR	$43,979	$21.14
   19	University of Houston	$43,839	$21.08	4
   20	Friendly Ford	$43,049	$20.70	2

4. Writing an auto mechanic job description

   A job description for an auto mechanic 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 mechanic job description:

   Auto mechanic job description example

   We are an automotive company that supports the career growth of our employees . We pay our Auto Mechanics a competitive wage of $30 - $45 per hour , depending on experience. Our team also enjoys generous benefits , including 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as an IRA with match, paid vacation, one of the most competitive pay plans in the area, lots of available work hours, training, new equipment, no weekends, and your own computer . Plus, we make it easy to apply with our initial quick mobile-optimized application . If we have your attention, please continue reading!

   
   

   ABOUT MOTOR WORKS AUTO

   We are a full-service automobile company that fixes all makes and models. Founded in 2004, we started in St. Augusta as Augusta Motor Works. We took off from there and now have multiple locations throughout Minnesota. Whether customers live in St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Augusta, or Waite Park, they have a qualified, friendly, and local automotive service nearby. Providing our customers with the highest level of service is our primary goal!

   We are always looking for great people to join our amazing team. We provide an excellent workspace by making sure that our operations are always organized and efficient . Our company is family-friendly and filled with skilled professionals and a supportive management team . We also offer great benefits and opportunities for advancement . If our employees win, we win!

   
   

   ARE YOU A GOOD FIT?

   Ask yourself: Do I have excellent communication skills? Am I reliable and honest? Can I listen and follow directions well? Do I work effectively with others? Am I organized and detail-oriented? If so, please consider applying for this car position today!

   
   

   YOUR LIFE AS AN AUTO MECHANIC

   As an Auto Mechanic, you are the foundation of our business. You are a reliable and skilled mechanic who takes care of the vehicles that come into our shop. With your skills, you diagnose issues, suggest solutions, and perform the repair and maintenance work needed to get our customers back on the road. We run a very organized operation and you maintain this with your reliability and skills. You feel good about fixing cars and keeping our customers safe!

   
   

   WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

   • 2+ years of experience as an auto technician
   • Valid driver's license

   If you can meet these requirements and perform this car job as described above, we would be happy to have you as part of our team!

   Location: 56379

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find auto 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 auto mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit auto mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit auto 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 mechanic

   Once you've found the auto 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new auto mechanic first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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 auto mechanic?