How to hire a general maintenance mechanic

How to hire a general maintenance mechanic, step by step

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

What does a general maintenance mechanic do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The general maintenance 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 general maintenance 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 general maintenance mechanic that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of general maintenance mechanics and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of General Maintenance Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   General Maintenance Mechanic	General maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings. They paint, repair flooring, and work on plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning and heating systems.	$12-24
   Mechanic	Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components... Show more	$16-30
   Maintenance Engineer	A maintenance engineer is responsible for the maintenance of industrial machinery and inspects equipment defects for immediate troubleshooting or replacement as needed. Maintenance engineers install and upgrade system components to improve system optimization and perform diagnostic systems to locate any adjustments... Show more	$13-35

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plumbing
   • HVAC
   • Customer Service
   • Hand Tools
   • Ladders
   • Electrical Equipment
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • Caulking
   • Safety Procedures
   • Switches
   • Electrical Systems
   • Door Locks
   • OSHA
   • Light Fixtures

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain all safety and training documentation as required by OSHA.
   • Assist client in maintaining a clean, safe work environment per OSHA regulations.
   • General apartment maintenance in HVAC repair
   • Perform PLC setup of newly install production machinery.
   • Repair and troubleshoot not only plumbing but also construction and general maintenance situations.
   • Perform general maintenance of parks facilities including carpentry, electrical and plumbing work.

   More general maintenance mechanic duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your general maintenance mechanic job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A general maintenance mechanic salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a general maintenance mechanic in Nebraska may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level general maintenance mechanic usually earns less than a senior-level general maintenance mechanic. Additionally, a general maintenance mechanic with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average general maintenance mechanic salary

   $37,631yearly

   $18.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level general maintenance mechanic salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

   Average general maintenance mechanic salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$46,605	$22
   2	District of Columbia	$44,781	$22
   3	Maryland	$42,699	$21
   4	Pennsylvania	$41,908	$20
   5	Indiana	$41,309	$20
   6	Missouri	$40,714	$20
   7	Nevada	$40,472	$19
   8	Wisconsin	$39,161	$19
   9	Ohio	$38,766	$19
   10	New Jersey	$38,207	$18
   11	Colorado	$37,876	$18
   12	Minnesota	$37,286	$18
   13	Oregon	$37,213	$18
   14	North Carolina	$34,947	$17
   15	Tennessee	$34,921	$17
   16	Florida	$34,142	$16
   17	Texas	$33,805	$16
   18	Georgia	$33,738	$16
   19	Arizona	$33,526	$16
   20	Utah	$31,494	$15

   Average general maintenance mechanic salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center	$53,585	$25.76
   2	Fluor Corporation	$53,428	$25.69	51
   3	Arconic	$50,772	$24.41	23
   4	VF	$50,534	$24.30	1
   5	Owens Corning	$49,607	$23.85	32
   6	United Natural Foods	$49,381	$23.74	6
   7	Pentair	$48,980	$23.55	2
   8	Anheuser-Busch	$47,952	$23.05	36
   9	Catholic Health East	$46,519	$22.36	3
   10	EMCOR Group	$46,314	$22.27	176
   11	Lucid Motors	$46,135	$22.18	9
   12	Prime Healthcare	$45,932	$22.08	12
   13	Santa Clara University	$45,724	$21.98	1
   14	Grand View Health	$45,547	$21.90
   15	General Shale	$45,216	$21.74	1
   16	Ashland	$45,166	$21.71
   17	Oakland County, Michigan Government	$45,107	$21.69
   18	Fruit of the Loom	$45,100	$21.68	2
   19	Conagra Brands	$44,876	$21.57	46
   20	Presbyterian	$44,821	$21.55	1

4. Writing a general maintenance mechanic job description

   A good general maintenance 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 general maintenance mechanic job description:

   General maintenance mechanic job description example

   The primary responsibility of the General Mechanic is to perform a wide variety of work. The General Maintenance Mechanics tasks are non-specific in respect to the various trades. Though general in nature, work in the various trades is expected, including but not limited to include plumbing, electrical, painting and patching walls as well as flooring. Assistance with hospital office moves will also be required. This position requires the maintenance of tools and work areas in order to reflect a professional appearance. This position requires professional and effective communication with medical staff, patients, families and the general public.
   SHIFT AND SCHEDULE
   Full Time: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
   • Identifies and performs basic repairs of plumbing leaks or breaks; opens clogged lines and drains; replaces washers and other minor parts.
   • Dispatched to patient rooms and various departments for minor maintenance issues. Required to make repairs as necessary.
   • Involved in hospital office relocations to assist staff with the physical
   • This position can require extensive customer interaction. This person will communicate effectively and professionally (hear, listen and speak) with staff and supervisors.
   • Uses time effectively while performing all duties under minimal supervision.
   • May be required to work other than scheduled hours.
   EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
   • High School or GED equivalency diploma.
   • Verified minimum of ten years' experience in the building maintenance industry or similar employment in one or more of an accepted trade.
   PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential
   responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual must be able to • Stand, walk, sit, stoop, reach, lift, see, speak and hear.
   • Lifting is limited to 35 lbs. for clinical staff and to 50 lbs. for non-clinical staff.
   • The individual must use an assisted-lift device or get another individual(s) to assist with the lift that is over these maximum limits.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find general maintenance mechanics for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with general maintenance 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 general maintenance mechanic

   Once you have selected a candidate for the general maintenance 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.

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