How to hire a diesel mechanic

How to hire a diesel mechanic, step by step

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

What does a diesel mechanic do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The diesel 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 diesel mechanic's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, diesel 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 presents diesel mechanic salaries for various positions.

   Type of Diesel Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Diesel Mechanic	Diesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.	$17-32
   Automotive Service Technician	Automotive service technicians, often called service technicians, have a duty to inspect, maintain, and repair cars and even light trucks. It is their job as automotive service technicians to find problems, often by computerized diagnostic equipment... Show more	$12-35
   Auto Technician	An auto technician specializes in performing inspections, repairs, and maintenance on different automotive vehicles ranging from small cars to light trucks. Their responsibilities revolve around identifying issues using various diagnostic tools to determine which course of action to take, discussing the extent of repairs to clients, and ordering car parts from suppliers... Show more	$13-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • DOT
   • Hand Tools
   • OSHA
   • Diagnosis
   • Ladders
   • Electrical Systems
   • Maintenance Services
   • Shop Equipment
   • Perform Routine Maintenance
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Propane
   • Diesel Engines

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Install and rebuild hydraulic systems on trucks to include cylinders, PTO pumps, and hoses.
   • Repair diesel engines; replace clutches, water pumps, turbo, alternators, brakes and HVAC.
   • Maintain and troubleshoot various kinds of heavy equipment like forklifts, graders, loaders and, buses.
   • Perform diagnosis and repairs to electrical systems as failures/problems occur.
   • Utilize CDL to test drive vehicles.
   • Maintain driveline and brake components of fleet trucks.

   More diesel mechanic duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the diesel mechanic job description is a good way to get more applicants. A diesel mechanic 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 a diesel mechanic in New Mexico may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level diesel mechanic. Additionally, a diesel mechanic with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average diesel mechanic salary

   $49,842yearly

   $23.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level diesel mechanic salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 31, 2025

   Average diesel mechanic salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$60,835	$29
   2	Washington	$60,749	$29
   3	New York	$59,033	$28
   4	Maine	$53,930	$26
   5	Nevada	$53,325	$26
   6	Pennsylvania	$51,951	$25
   7	Virginia	$51,408	$25
   8	Minnesota	$50,304	$24
   9	Ohio	$50,292	$24
   10	Illinois	$50,144	$24
   11	Oregon	$50,107	$24
   12	Colorado	$49,964	$24
   13	Louisiana	$49,252	$24
   14	Arizona	$48,283	$23
   15	Texas	$47,989	$23
   16	Wisconsin	$47,798	$23
   17	North Carolina	$47,426	$23
   18	Georgia	$46,867	$23
   19	South Dakota	$46,847	$23
   20	Tennessee	$46,660	$22

   Average diesel mechanic salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Hensel Phelps	$68,937	$33.14
   2	Sierra Pacific Industries	$66,586	$32.01	7
   3	Crown Equipment	$65,935	$31.70	211
   4	Covanta	$63,715	$30.63
   5	Adams Construction	$62,672	$30.13
   6	Blythe Construction	$62,223	$29.91	3
   7	HTH Companies	$61,527	$29.58	8
   8	US Foods	$61,146	$29.40	165
   9	Flippo Construction	$61,025	$29.34	3
   10	BJ Energy Solutions	$60,801	$29.23
   11	American Asphalt	$60,784	$29.22
   12	Canadian Pacific Railway	$60,567	$29.12	5
   13	Performance Contracting	$59,913	$28.80
   14	National Radio Astronomy Observatory	$59,913	$28.80	1
   15	Keurig Dr Pepper	$59,735	$28.72	29
   16	Southeast Connections	$59,511	$28.61
   17	Baker Hughes	$59,209	$28.47	4
   18	Structural Group	$59,183	$28.45
   19	Airgas	$58,859	$28.30	5
   20	CSX	$58,484	$28.12	3

4. Writing a diesel mechanic job description

   A job description for a diesel 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 diesel mechanic job description:

   Diesel mechanic job description example

   **This position is eligible for a $10,000 Stay On Bonus**

   We are looking for a safety conscious Diesel Mechanic to join the team at Harvey Waste & Recycling Services in New Bedford, MA.

   JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

   • Performs repairs (including electrical and hydraulic systems) and assigned preventive maintenance services.
   • Utilizes vehicle computer electronics systems to interpret failure modes to initiate or assign repairs.
   • Conducts safety checks on vehicles and equipment.
   • Completes required paperwork utilizing fleet maintenance software program associated with repairing vehicles, documenting parts usage, and accounting for repair times.
   • Reviews and completes repairs identified on Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports.
   • Maintains a clean, safe work area in compliance with corporate and OSHA standards.

   JOB REQUIREMENTS:

   • Valid Class B CDL with air brakes endorsement preferred .
   • Ability to lift 50lbs repeatedly throughout the day.
   • Ability to work outside in all weather conditions.

   Garbage is very stable and we work year round!

   
   Apply today and Connect with Your Future!

   Why Join Us?

   We offer excellent benefits including: medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, short term & long term disability, life insurance, 401(k) retirement.

   CULTURE It’s a Great place to work! We work in an environment where empowered, self-directed all-stars know what they do is important.

   INTEGRITY Our definition is “saying what you will do and then doing it!” We keep our promises to our customers and our employees.

   RESPECT We show respect for our customers and fellow employees. Respect for ourselves grows through all the hard work and great service we provide to the communities we are privileged to serve.

   Waste Connections is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (Minorities/Female/Disabled/Veterans)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right diesel mechanic for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your diesel mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit diesel mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with diesel 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 diesel mechanic

   Once you've selected the best diesel 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new diesel mechanic. 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 diesel mechanic?