How to hire a bench mechanic

How to hire a bench mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step bench mechanic hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The bench 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

   A bench mechanic's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, bench 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 shows salaries for various types of bench mechanics.

   Type of Bench Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Bench Mechanic	Diesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.	$12-32
   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
   Truck Technician	Truck technicians are skilled employees who are responsible for working and inspecting the mechanical parts of trucks such as the engine, wheels, accelerator, and brakes. These technicians must use specialized instruments and tools to diagnose problems and repair parts... Show more	$15-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Pressure Test
   • Calipers
   • Military Aircraft
   • R
   • Drill Press
   • Mechanical Components

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage projects dot compliance and driver logs.
   • Measure parts for dimensional accuracy using templates, jigs, calipers, micrometers and laser.
   • Work under airframe and power plant license mechanics.
   • Evaluate, troubleshoot, repair, overhaul and test to manufactures specs.
   • Installed/Buck BB/BA rivets in sheet metal of wings place in jigs (left or right wing).
   • Calibrate or adjust equipment to ensure quality productionusing tools such as calipers and mirometers.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your bench mechanic job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A bench mechanic salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, bench mechanics' average salary in montana is 46% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level bench mechanics earn 63% less than senior-level bench mechanics.
   • Certifications. A bench mechanic 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 a bench mechanic's salary.

   Average bench mechanic salary

   $41,908yearly

   $20.15 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level bench mechanic salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

4. Writing a bench mechanic job description

   A job description for a bench 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 a bench mechanic job description:

   Bench mechanic job description example

   Performs the production process required to trim, finish, and produce quality parts.
   
   Supervision: Generally requires minimal supervision.
   
   Essential Duties and Responsibilities
   
   Performs the production process required to trim, finish, and produce quality parts.
   
   This position may involve knowledge of confidential information. Such information will be handled with the utmost discretion.
   
   * Deburrs parts as required.
   * Cleans parts as required.
   * Rough trims parts as required.
   * Uses the bandsaw on parts as required.
   * Routes parts as required.
   * Sands parts as required.
   * Bonds parts as required.
   * Uses the tablesaw on parts as required.
   * Uses the drill on parts as required.
   * Rivets parts as required.
   * Performs handwork on parts as required.
   * Reads blueprints to perform required work.
   * Works from planning with minimum help from the lead or supervisor.
   * Assists in moving parts and tools from one area to another as required.
   * Maintains the work area and equipment in a clean and orderly condition and follows prescribed safety regulations.
   * Reports defective materials or questionable conditions to the department supervisor.
   * Maintains highest standards of quality and quantity.
   * Records required information on planning.
   * Participates in Kaizen events.
   
   Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
   
   * Ability to use and understand simple and more complex measuring tools.
   * Ability to interpret visual aids.
   * Perform basic shop math.
   * Read and write well enough to understand planning and to record required information into company systems.
   * Ability to operate a forklift.
   * Ability to use a PC to record required information, clock in and out of jobs, etc. Ability to train others on the use of the company systems.
   * Ability to use and repair basic and more complex hand tools effectively.
   * Ability to work well with others and in a team environment.
   * Ability to receive instructions and retain the required information.
   * Ability to receive constructive criticism.
   * Ability to communicate well with others.
   * Must be able to bond parts.
   * Must be able to read blueprints.
   
   Qualifications
   
   * High School Diploma or equivalent.
   * Two to three years of experience in a manufacturing operations environment is preferred.
   * Basic experience using a PC and company systems.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find bench mechanics 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 bench mechanics they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level bench mechanics 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 bench mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit bench mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit bench 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 bench mechanic

   Once you've selected the best bench mechanic candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing 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.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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