How to hire an automotive repair technician

How to hire an automotive repair technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step automotive repair technician hiring guide:

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

What does an automotive repair technician do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The automotive repair technician 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

   Hiring the perfect automotive repair technician also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents automotive repair technician salaries for various positions.

   Type of Automotive Repair Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Automotive Repair Technician	Automotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.	$13-30
   Front End Mechanic	Unlike front-end specialists that have to specialize in the repair of just one system in a vehicle, front-end mechanics perform essential care and maintenance in a vehicle. Their job ranges from changing oil, checking out fluid levels, and rotating tires to fixing or replacing worn-out parts in a vehicle such as brake pads, wheel bearings, and sensors... Show more	$15-27
   Instrument Technician Apprentice	An instrument technician apprentice is responsible for performing installation and repairs on various electrical equipment and instruments such as control panels and motors, all while under the supervision and directives of a senior or master technician. Typically, their tasks revolve around conducting regular maintenance checks, coordinating with other technicians, organizing supplies, operating electrical tools, and understanding various electronic principles... Show more	$12-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Diagnosis
   • Professional Work
   • Hand Tools
   • Customer Service
   • ABS
   • ASE
   • Diagnostic Equipment
   • Water Pumps
   • Calipers
   • Electrical Systems
   • Engine Performance
   • Repair Orders
   • Shop Equipment
   • Torches

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage customer accounts from initial diagnosis and estimate to final invoicing.
   • Acquire ASE certification in brakes as well.
   • Monitor and analyze laser performance with respect to power, beam quality and atmospheric sodium return and communicates laser.
   • Download required software for programming and diagnostics to load on correct PC.
   • Diagnose, upgrade and repair PC and Macintosh computers, printers and laptops.
   • Communicate with users to remotely resolve windows software problems.

   More automotive repair technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the automotive repair technician job description is a good way to get more applicants. An automotive repair technician 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 automotive repair technician in Mississippi may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level automotive repair technician. Additionally, an automotive repair technician with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average automotive repair technician salary

   $43,699yearly

   $21.01 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level automotive repair technician salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average automotive repair technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$52,106	$25
   2	New Jersey	$47,068	$23
   3	Connecticut	$45,736	$22
   4	Michigan	$45,164	$22
   5	Maryland	$44,479	$21
   6	Georgia	$44,364	$21
   7	Virginia	$43,040	$21
   8	Pennsylvania	$42,482	$20
   9	Ohio	$42,123	$20
   10	Arizona	$40,786	$20
   11	Oklahoma	$39,736	$19
   12	New York	$37,706	$18
   13	North Carolina	$34,735	$17
   14	Missouri	$34,673	$17
   15	Kentucky	$31,778	$15

   Average automotive repair technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah	$43,201	$20.77	15
   2	W&W	$41,268	$19.84	10
   3	Royal Oak	$40,597	$19.52	2
   4	R&R Aerospace	$40,593	$19.52
   5	Integrated Dealer Systems	$39,229	$18.86
   6	AAA Systems	$39,022	$18.76	41
   7	AAA FACILITY SERVICES	$38,388	$18.46	23
   8	City Of Toledo	$38,355	$18.44
   9	City of Norfolk	$36,988	$17.78
   10	Dent Wizard	$36,529	$17.56	129
   11	Carvana	$34,435	$16.56	894
   12	U-Haul	$33,329	$16.02	99

4. Writing an automotive repair technician job description

   A job description for an automotive repair technician 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 automotive repair technician job description:

   Automotive repair technician job description example

   Tynan's Volkswagen is currently hiring for a full-time Automotive Repair Mechanic / Express Auto Technician to perform minor maintenance and safety inspections on our customers' vehicles at our Volkswagen car dealership in the Aurora, CO area. This position earns a competitive wage of $17 - $19 per hour , depending on experience.

   In addition to competitive pay and our supportive, team-oriented culture , we offer the following benefits:

   • Health and dental coverage after 90 days of employment
   • 401(k) with a company match after 1 year
   • 1 week of vacation time after 1 year
   • 2 weeks of vacation time after 2 years

   Additionally, we offer our auto mechanics additional paid time off (PTO) when they hit daily goals .

   So, now that you've learned the who, what, where, and why, you may be wondering HOW? It's easy! If you have experience working on European vehicles and would love to work at a Volkswagen car dealership, just fill out our initial mobile-friendly online application . We hope to meet you soon!

   
   

   DAY-TO-DAY

   Our full-time auto mechanics typically work shifts at our Volkswagen car dealership on Monday - Saturday with Sundays off .

   As an Automotive Repair Mechanic / Express Auto Technician, you are critical to the success of our Volkswagen dealership. You ensure customer satisfaction by providing our clients with reliable, well-maintained cars. Always acting professionally, you provide outstanding customer service by communicating with clients and listening intently to their needs. With close attention to detail, you perform safety inspections and provide regular maintenance services, like routine oil changes and tire rotations, to keep our clients' vehicles in top condition. No matter the task, you always possess the highest standards of quality and ethics. At the end of the day, you enjoy honing your skills and contributing to our company's success !

   
   

   ABOUT TYNAN'S VOLKSWAGEN

   Our Volkswagen showroom has been open for over 50 years, and since then a lot of things have changed in the automobile industry. One thing that hasn't changed is our commitment to providing the highest level of customer service in all departments of our dealership. We strive to provide quality cars and services for ultra-competitive prices. Our service center offers expertise, tools, and genuine Volkswagen parts to help our customers' cars operate at peak performance!

   We have a long-standing and caring staff comprised of experienced and skilled employees who can always get the job done. No one here is a number and everyone is treated with the same respect. We are a family-owned business that strives to create a supportive work environment and always encourages employee independence . Our employees are rewarded for their hard work with fantastic pay and benefits .

   
   

   OUR IDEAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR MECHANIC / EXPRESS AUTO TECHNICIAN

   • Self-motivated - ambitiously aims to complete tasks and objectives
   • Problem solver - eager to fix issues and make vehicles run like new again
   • Positive - always maintains an upbeat attitude
   • Service-oriented - thrives on providing excellent service to our customers
   • Dependable - an auto mechanic that our customers can rely on

   If this sounds like you, keep reading about this great opportunity to advance your career!

   
   

   REQUIREMENTS FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR MECHANIC / EXPRESS AUTO TECHNICIAN

   • 2+ years' experience doing auto repairs on European cars
   • Valid driver's license
   • Willingness to comply with our company policy regarding background checks and drug screening

   If you meet the above requirements, we need you. Apply today to join our amazing team of auto mechanics at our Volkswagen car dealership!

   Location: 80012

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find automotive repair technicians for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any automotive repair technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level automotive repair technicians with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your automotive repair technician job on Zippia to find and recruit automotive repair technician 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 automotive repair technicians, 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.

   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 automotive repair technician

   Once you've decided on a perfect automotive repair technician candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new automotive repair technician. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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 automotive repair technician?