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How to hire a certified technician

Certified technician hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring certified technicians in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a certified technician is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per certified technician on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 8,536 certified technicians in the US and 140,083 job openings.
  • Austin, TX, has the highest demand for certified technicians, with 11 job openings.
  • New York, NY has the highest concentration of certified technicians.

How to hire a certified technician, step by step

To hire a certified technician, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a certified technician:

Here's a step-by-step certified technician hiring guide:

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

What does a certified technician do?

Certified technicians are technical professionals who perform technical tasks in the fields of applied science or engineering technology. These technicians are required to demonstrate their customer service skills and problem-solving abilities by resolving issues of customers immediately and efficiently. They must follow the dealership standards when performing work specified to maintenance and repair orders. They are required to work directly with customers to maximize equitable profitability for both the organization and their customers. Certified technicians must also possess detailed knowledge and experience in automobile mechanical works.

Learn more about the specifics of what a certified technician does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a certified technician, 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?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a certified technician to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a certified technician that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of certified technicians and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Certified TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Certified TechnicianAutomotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.$15-40
    Instrument Technician ApprenticeAn 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
    Front End MechanicUnlike 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • A+
    • Patients
    • Patient Care
    • Diagnosis
    • Customer Service
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Customer Vehicles
    • Dexterity
    • Vital Signs
    • CPR
    • AC
    • ASE
    • Repair Orders
    • Chrysler
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead and architect MDM migration from Sybase Afaria to Airwatch.
    • Manage a crew of 5 service technicians, providing repair and maintenance services for all HVAC.
    • Attain and maintain advanced level ASE certification.
    • Manage daily repair activities for high-volume Honda repair facility.
    • Oil changes top and bottom side transmission services ac services engine flush and license inspector.
    • Utilize several trade skills such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, roofing and heating and cooling systems.
    More certified technician duties
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, certified technicians' average salary in kentucky is 55% less than in washington.
    • Seniority. Entry-level certified technicians 62% less than senior-level certified technicians.
    • Certifications. A certified technician 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 certified technician's salary.

    Average certified technician salary

    $52,208yearly

    $25.10 hourly rate

    Entry-level certified technician salary
    $32,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average certified technician salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$83,078$40
    2California$73,763$35
    3New Jersey$70,391$34
    4Nevada$67,497$32
    5Pennsylvania$58,568$28
    6Idaho$57,876$28
    7Arizona$57,548$28
    8New York$57,217$28
    9Delaware$56,028$27
    10Colorado$55,836$27
    11Massachusetts$55,624$27
    12Texas$51,042$25
    13Ohio$49,942$24
    14Utah$49,602$24
    15Georgia$46,736$22
    16Florida$46,685$22
    17Illinois$45,950$22
    18Arkansas$45,473$22
    19North Carolina$44,458$21
    20Mississippi$43,963$21

    Average certified technician salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Connor Group$92,670$44.55
    2Mazda$79,200$38.0818
    3Dignity Health$78,873$37.9263
    4Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego$76,919$36.981
    5Jordan Ford$76,364$36.714
    6Soliant$75,409$36.25
    7Intertek$74,127$35.646
    8Steward Health Care$73,109$35.15
    9Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center$72,455$34.83
    10PruittHealth$72,218$34.727
    11Careerstaff Unlimited - A Genesis Healthcare Company$71,393$34.32
    12Goodwin$71,310$34.281
    13Baptist Health Care$71,028$34.15
    14Fred Beans Ford$70,398$33.8526
    15Capital Wilmington$69,824$33.575
    16Appalachian Regional Healthcare$69,739$33.536
    17Baystate Health$69,076$33.219
    18Mission Regional Medical Center$68,988$33.1754
    19Crain Kia$68,612$32.9915
    20Prime Healthcare$67,881$32.6457
  4. Writing a certified technician job description

    A good certified technician 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 certified technician job description:

    Certified technician job description example

    over 50 lbs

    on a regular basis


    Reaching and/or lifting overhead

    on a regular basis


    Climbing

    stairs


    Repetitive hand/finger movement

    on a regular basis


    Grasping/grabbing with hands

    on a regular basis


    Pushing and Pulling

    on a regular basis


    Expectations

    General Expectations

    Devote himself/herself to insuring satisfaction to customers.

    Determine management, production and quality requirements by asking questions and listening.

    Attend company meetings as required.

    Maintain a follow-up system that encourages follow through with assigned projects.

    Establish personal performance goals that are consistent with company standards of productivity and devise a strategy to meet those goals.

    Review and analyze actions at the end of each day, week, month, and year to determine how to better utilize time and plans more effectively.

    Understand the terminology of the business and keep abreast of technology changes in products and services.

    Know and understand the federal, state and local requirements which govern the company’s business.

    Follow lawful directions from supervisors.

    Understand and follow work rules and procedures.

    Participate in performance management.

    Interact well with others and be a positive influence on employee morale.

    Uphold the company’s non-disclosure and confidentiality policies and agreements.

    Work evening, weekend and holiday work hours as required.


    Job-Specific Expectations

    Make 100 % productivity the goal and keep as close to that as possible.

    Use factory specifications as the standard in all repair, service, and customization work.

    Provide excellent customer service for all customers whether external and internal, specifically offering dependable vehicle service.

    Receive service assignments from the service writer or service manager.

    Have the repair work finished within the allotted time. Set goals, develop skills and constantly increase efficiency skill level.

    Submit your request parts as soon as it is determined what is required for a particular job.

    Keep the service writer or service manger informed of any supplemental work that may be required or of any delays to estimated completion time as you make those determinations so the customer can receive up to date information.

    Aid service writer as needed to write work orders, conduct test rides, interact with the customer, or in any other way you are able to guarantee customer satisfaction.

    Maintain a clean, efficient work area and assist in keeping the shop neat and organized.

    Make sure the proper paperwork is completed and filed after every job completion.

    Keep your technical qualifications current by finishing any required training programs.

    Take care that the vehicle is cleaner when the job is completed than when the customer dropped it off.

    Make each job thorough and complete to reduce return repairs. If the vehicle should be returned for additional work complete it quickly, correctly and cheerfully.

    Powered by JazzHR

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  5. Post your job

    To find the right certified technician 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 certified technicians they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit certified technicians 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 certified technician job on Zippia to find and recruit certified 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 certified 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.

    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 certified technician

    Once you have selected a candidate for the certified technician 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.

    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.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new certified 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 a certified technician?

Recruiting certified technicians involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for certified technicians is $52,208 in the US. However, the cost of certified technician hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a certified technician for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $15 and $40 an hour.

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