How to hire an instrument technician apprentice

How to hire an instrument technician apprentice, step by step

Here's a step-by-step instrument technician apprentice hiring guide:

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

What does an instrument technician apprentice do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an instrument technician apprentice, 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?

   Yes

   No

   An instrument technician apprentice's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, instrument technician apprentices 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of instrument technician apprentices and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Instrument Technician Apprentice	Description	Hourly rate
   Instrument Technician Apprentice	Electrical and electronics engineering technicians help engineers design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and other electrical and electronic equipment. They often work in product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to adjust, test, and repair equipment... Show more	$12-27
   Hvac Installer	An HVAC installer is responsible for working on office and house appliances, including heating systems, ventilation, and air conditioning units. HVAC installers follow and analyze the item's schematics and blueprints and conduct regular maintenance to ensure the efficiency of its systems... Show more	$14-31
   Service And Repair Technician	Service and repair technicians install, maintains, or repair equipment and often travel to customer's location to provide service and maintenance. They are also known as field service technicians who have technical knowledge and skills to be able to install and conduct product testing or demo to properly instruct customers on the proper usage of the product... Show more	$13-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Diagnosis
   • OSHA
   • Cleanliness
   • Customer Vehicles
   • Good Communication
   • Work Ethic
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Perform Routine Maintenance
   • Maintenance Services
   • Ladders
   • Filter Changes
   • Oil Changes

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
   • Maintain the cleanliness of the shop.
   • Train, working under ASE certification standards.
   • Wire low volt and high volt generators for caterpillar.
   • Unload vehicles by driving and by the use of cranes.
   • Install HD brand and aftermarket, chrome and billet, parts and accessories.

   More instrument technician apprentice duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, instrument technician apprentices' average salary in alabama is 46% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level instrument technician apprentices 53% less than senior-level instrument technician apprentices.
   • Certifications. An instrument technician apprentice 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 an instrument technician apprentice's salary.

   Average instrument technician apprentice salary

   $39,849yearly

   $19.16 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level instrument technician apprentice salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average instrument technician apprentice salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$46,216	$22
   2	Minnesota	$45,369	$22
   3	Michigan	$44,329	$21
   4	New Jersey	$42,181	$20
   5	Massachusetts	$41,974	$20
   6	Indiana	$41,886	$20
   7	New York	$41,276	$20
   8	Iowa	$39,646	$19
   9	Ohio	$39,518	$19
   10	Pennsylvania	$38,663	$19
   11	Virginia	$38,038	$18
   12	Maryland	$37,458	$18
   13	North Dakota	$36,988	$18
   14	Oregon	$36,299	$17
   15	Illinois	$36,080	$17
   16	Arizona	$35,626	$17
   17	Colorado	$35,496	$17
   18	Missouri	$32,293	$16
   19	Texas	$31,485	$15
   20	South Carolina	$30,517	$15

   Average instrument technician apprentice salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Accenture	$57,596	$27.69	3
   2	AVANGRID	$56,148	$26.99
   3	MDU Resources	$53,479	$25.71	3
   4	Chubb	$53,179	$25.57
   5	WebMD	$53,090	$25.52
   6	Republic Services	$52,957	$25.46	163
   7	Caterpillar	$52,917	$25.44	9
   8	Pfizer	$52,839	$25.40	8
   9	XPO Logistics	$52,398	$25.19
   10	UPS	$52,310	$25.15	81
   11	The City University of New York	$51,965	$24.98	2
   12	Gerald Group	$50,999	$24.52
   13	Stanley Black & Decker	$50,278	$24.17	30
   14	Dayton Freight	$48,778	$23.45	2
   15	Boch Automotive	$48,288	$23.22
   16	Bridgestone	$47,894	$23.03	2,008
   17	Bruce Transportation Group	$47,788	$22.98
   18	Bausch + Lomb	$46,503	$22.36	5
   19	Ball	$45,985	$22.11
   20	CarMax	$45,880	$22.06	41

4. Writing an instrument technician apprentice job description

   A job description for an instrument technician apprentice 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 an instrument technician apprentice job description:

   Instrument technician apprentice job description example

   Considering a career with Ken Garff Automotive Group means you are in for a great ride (excuse the car metaphor)! We're not your standard dealership or group of dealerships and we are pretty darn proud of that. We are out to do things differently and want to consistently change, grow, and progress. For that reason, our employees are proud of where they work!
   
   Porsche Audi of Lehi, a Ken Garff Automotive Dealership, is currently looking for a talented Apprentice Technician (Mechanic) that aligns with our core values and acts with respect, integrity, growth, humility, and teamwork. As an Apprentice Technician (Mechanic, you have an immense amount of discipline for fine details, and you regularly practice consistent follow-through in your daily work. You appreciate clear guidelines and the structure of step-by-step procedures of mechanical work. Others can count on your timely task completion and your ability to produce quality work time and time again. Above all, you are a technical expert, you love working with your hands and providing exceptional service to customers. Our Technicians create lifetime customers by treating people right. If these statements resonate with you, please apply today.
   
   We designed a formal reward and recognition system just for you called ProTech. Do regular rewards and recognition for performance and tenure, predictable pay raises, efficiency bonus, quarterly tool allowance and discounts, and just being treated RIGHT sound right to you? We hear you! Our ProTech program is built to reward your hard work and recognize your contribution. Come join us and feel what it is like to be a ProTech!
   Check out the program: kengarff.com/pro-tech
   
   Here's why you want to work here:
   ProTech perks described above with levels including Bronze, Silver, Gold and even Platinum.Paid training, certifications and real career growth Great people with a great culture Paid Time Off starting your first week and 401k with Company match Medical, Dental, Vision, Short and Long-term disability, AD&D and Life InsuranceYear-end bonus program for all employees (Garff Giveback) Red Wing boot program (annual replacement of work boots)1:1 Tech to PC- You'll have information at your fingertips Employee discounts on Vehicle Purchase, Parts, Service and More!
   
   Here's what you'll be doing:
   Assist other mechanics and automotive technicians with diagnosing cause of any malfunction and perform repair Communicate with parts department to obtain needed parts Save and tag parts if the job is under warranty or if requested by the customer Assist with examination of vehicle to determine if additional safety or service work is required Assist in documenting any work performed Attend factory-sponsored training classes to advance to become a main line automotive technician (mechanic) Keep abreast of factory technical bulletins Ensure that customers' cars are kept clean Always keep shop area neat and clean and be able to account for all dealership-owned tools Understand and follow federal, state and local regulations, such as those governing disposal of hazardous wastes Assist in road-testing vehicles to quality-check work performed Master our Dealer Management System (Reynolds) for time keeping, work distribution, electronic inspections, repair quotes and communication Be accountable to all dealership owned tools, and superior cleanliness throughout workspace and in all customer vehicles (“leave no trace” standard)
   
   Here's what you'll need:
   1 to 2 years of general maintenance or mechanic experience desired Technical schooling from a mechanic program preferred ASE certification and Safety & Emissions certification preferred General mechanical skills, previous dealership experience a plus Excellent manual dexterity skills as well as patience, creativity, and an eye for detail Valid driver's license and a good driving record High school diploma or the equivalent
   
   We are an Equal Opportunity Employer
   (( We Hear You ))

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting instrument technician apprentices requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 instrument technician apprentice

   Once you've decided on a perfect instrument technician apprentice candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

   To prepare for the new instrument technician apprentice first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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 an instrument technician apprentice?