How to hire a collision mechanic

How to hire a collision mechanic, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The collision 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a collision mechanic 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 collision mechanic that fits the bill.

   This list presents collision mechanic salaries for various positions.

   Type of Collision Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Collision Mechanic	Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.	$11-23
   Auto Body Technician	An auto body technician is responsible for assessing vehicle damage and conducting repairs after evaluating the cost estimates. Auto body technicians' duties include replacing auto parts, which caused malfunctions, determining the extent of damage, and testing the engine performance to ensure that it is safe for use after the appropriate modifications... Show more	$12-26
   Body Shop Technician	A body shop technician specializes in repairing and restoring the exteriors of vehicles. It is their responsibility to assess vehicle damage reports, conduct inspections, develop plans, provide cost estimates, remove damaged parts and attach new ones, realign frames and structures, perform installations and upgrades, and refinish surfaces... Show more	$12-31

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Body Damage

   Responsibilities:

   • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
   • Enter invoices electronically using CCC one and store invoices inside their specific file.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, collision mechanics' average salary in indiana is 42% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level collision mechanics earn 52% less than senior-level collision mechanics.
   • Certifications. A collision 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 collision mechanic's salary.

   Average collision mechanic salary

   $16.34hourly

   $33,995 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level collision mechanic salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 24, 2025

4. Writing a collision mechanic job description

   A collision mechanic job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a collision mechanic job description:

   Collision mechanic job description example

   **We encourage Technicians of all levels to apply to this future opportunity!**
   
   **DRIVE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL**
   
   **_About Us_**
   
   Penske Automotive Group (PAG) is an industry leading transportation services company operating more than 350 automotive retail and service locations across the globe. With over $20 billion in annual revenue we are a proud member of Fortune's 150 largest companies. While we sell and service the best brands in our World-class facilities, our strength and continued growth is fueled by more than 24,000 employees and the values they share. The collective dedication to hard work, integrity and customer service -- our human capital -- has positioned us as the World's premier automotive retailer.
   
   From our roots in racing, we move fast and are driven by results. Whether you like cars, working with people or at a fast pace, want a higher earnings potential, or seek to take charge of your career, we have a wide range of career tracks to find success. Even if you've never worked in our industry, we have pathways to rewarding careers in Sales, Management, Customer Service, Automotive Repair and Services, Administrative Support, Accounting and Finance, General Labor and Entry-level.
   
   More than a rewarding career, we've got the basics covered too
   
   - Medical/dental/vision insurance with health savings account (HSA)
   
   - 401(k) with company match
   
   - Paid time off for vacation/holiday/sick days
   
   - Employee vehicle purchase program and other partner discounts
   
   - Company provided basic life insurance, AD&D, and LTD
   
   - Voluntarily benefits including disability, life, accident and more
   
   - Continuing training and advancement opportunities relative to your career path
   
   Req Number: 15995
   
   Position Code: 777777
   
   Type: Full-time
   
   Dealership: AutoPark Collision Center
   
   Location Address: 1400 West Transport Road
   
   **EEO Statement**
   
   The Company is committed to hiring a diverse and qualified workforce. We will not consider any characteristic or category protected by state or federal law in hiring or employment decisions, including but not limited to race, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, status as a parent, or genetic information.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with collision mechanic candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   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 collision mechanic

   Once you've selected the best collision 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.

   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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new collision mechanic. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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