How to hire a body mechanic

How to hire a body mechanic, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the body mechanic you need to hire. Certain body mechanic roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

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

   Here's a comparison of body mechanic salaries for various roles:

   Type of Body Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Body Mechanic	Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.	$17-33
   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
   Mechanic Helper	The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues... Show more	$11-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • OSHA
   • Body Repair
   • MIG
   • DOT
   • Body Shop
   • Vehicle Bodies
   • Bondo
   • R
   • Electrical Systems
   • Air Tools
   • Body Panels
   • Automotive Vehicles
   • Mechanical Repairs
   • Body Prep

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Attain ICAR and ASE master technician status.
   • Utilize sophisticate diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot and correct vehicle computer, electrical, and mechanical, problems.
   • Utilize sophisticate diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot and correct vehicle computer, electrical, and mechanical, problems.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, body mechanics' average salary in indiana is 37% less than in maine.
   • Seniority. Entry-level body mechanics 49% less than senior-level body mechanics.
   • Certifications. A body 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 a body mechanic's salary.

   Average body mechanic salary

   $50,743yearly

   $24.40 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level body mechanic salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing a body mechanic job description

   A good body mechanic job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a body mechanic job description:

   Body mechanic job description example

   You can make any day a payday at Morgan with on-demand pay!
   
   NEW PAY RATES! $21.45+ per hour depending on experience.
   
   $100 bonus for all fully vaccinated new hires!
   
   Seeking skilled truck body mechanics/truck body technicians with experience in truck repair and enjoy troubleshooting and solving problems!
   
   We are Morgan Truck Body, LLC - the largest manufacturer of medium duty freight and refrigerated van and truck bodies in North America. With a total of fourteen manufacturing and six service facilities strategically located across the U.S. and Canada, Morgan is able to provide the quality, service, and prompt delivery our customers expect.
   
   We offer progressive benefits including:

   • Health
   • Dental
   • Vision
   • Life insurance
   • Disability plans
   • 401K
   • Paid time off
   • Tuition reimbursement
   • And more!

   We pride ourselves in team member development, performance, recognition, and a culture of diversity and respect. As a subsidiary of J.B. Poindexter, a privately held diversified manufacturing company we offer a vast variety of career opportunities.
   
   We have a great opportunity in our Morgantown service facility - Truck Body Mechanic to work on truck body and trailer repairs.
   
   You will be responsible for:
   

   • Performing standard service repairs to the truck bodies and trailers of our customers with minimal supervision
   • Performing electrical wiring tasks, some complex in nature on the vehicles
   • Using power and non-power tools safely in completing repairs
   • Interpreting and applying work orders and measurements to tasks at hand
   • Keeping safety, quality and quoted times "top of mind" always

   You will need:
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   
   •High School Diploma or equivalent GED
   
   •Valid driver's license
   
   •Ability to lift up to 35 lbs.
   
   •A thorough knowledge of workplace safety.
   
   •Good decision-making skills.
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   
   •Must be willing to learn how to weld
   
   •Automotive service collision experience a plus
   
   •Prior experience with hydraulic systems
   
   •Prior experience in truck body repairs
   
   Physical Requirements:
   
   This job operates in a manufacturing plant environment. While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk or hear. The team member frequently is required to stand (sometimes for extended periods); walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms and lift up to 35 pounds. The team member may, at times, sit, bend, stoop, squat, reach overhead, or crawl (may be in confined spaces). The team member is expected to perform repetitive tasks using their hands and have the ability to climb ladders and/or work in high places.
   
   J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
   
   This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
   
   #LI-TK1
   Virtual Job: false

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right body mechanic for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with body mechanics they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit body mechanics who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your body mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit body mechanic 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 body mechanics, 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 body mechanic

   Once you have selected a candidate for the body mechanic 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.

   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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