How to hire a junior mechanic

How to hire a junior mechanic, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the junior mechanic you need to hire. Certain junior mechanic roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect junior mechanic also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

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

   Type of Junior Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Junior Mechanic	Diesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.	$13-26
   Diesel Technician	Diesel technicians specialize in repairing and handling the maintenance of vehicles powered by diesel. They are primarily responsible for inspecting cars, conducting tests, and identifying its problems to determine what course of action to take... Show more	$15-31
   Electrician/Mechanic	Electricians are skilled tradesmen responsible for installing, repair, testing, and modifying electrical systems and components. Their duties include maintaining electrical components and systems, conducting diagnostic testings, ensuring complete repair and service documentation, and making sure that supplies have sufficient inventory... Show more	$20-39

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Electrical Systems
   • OSHA
   • Ladders
   • Light Fixtures
   • Preventive Maintenance
   • Pipe Systems
   • Electrical Repairs
   • HVAC
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Test Equipment
   • Electrical Installation
   • Oil Changes
   • Diesel Engines

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
   • Assist technicians in the installation and repair HVAC system units, including electronic and mechanical components.
   • Measure, cut, thread and bond pipes and tubing to feeding water, gas or refrigerant to various HVAC equipment.
   • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
   • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.

   More junior mechanic duties

3. Make a budget

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

   Average junior mechanic salary

   $39,809yearly

   $19.14 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level junior mechanic salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average junior mechanic salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$50,230	$24
   2	Colorado	$45,301	$22
   3	Pennsylvania	$44,176	$21
   4	Washington	$43,515	$21
   5	Illinois	$41,935	$20
   6	Wisconsin	$41,857	$20
   7	Arizona	$41,284	$20
   8	Louisiana	$40,484	$19
   9	Texas	$39,277	$19
   10	Virginia	$38,733	$19
   11	Delaware	$38,686	$19
   12	Maryland	$38,585	$19
   13	Minnesota	$38,534	$19
   14	Idaho	$38,113	$18
   15	Tennessee	$37,379	$18
   16	South Carolina	$36,963	$18
   17	Iowa	$36,484	$18
   18	Michigan	$36,386	$17
   19	Ohio	$35,999	$17
   20	Florida	$33,222	$16

   Average junior mechanic salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	WestRock	$50,325	$24.19	2
   2	Northrop Grumman	$47,215	$22.70	23
   3	Patterson-UTI Energy	$46,145	$22.19	6
   4	Lockheed Martin	$45,272	$21.77	81
   5	Kinder Morgan	$45,028	$21.65	8
   6	Daifuku Webb Holding	$41,968	$20.18	13
   7	International Paper	$41,123	$19.77	31
   8	Melaleuca:The Wellness	$39,986	$19.22	3
   9	PrimeFlight Aviation Services	$39,488	$18.98	59
   10	Niagara Bottling	$39,392	$18.94	8
   11	Unilever	$39,186	$18.84
   12	LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions	$39,087	$18.79	1
   13	Sunbelt Rentals	$39,016	$18.76	18
   14	Honeywell	$38,505	$18.51	5
   15	Global Aviation	$38,491	$18.51
   16	PDS Tech	$38,371	$18.45	12
   17	Daifuku Usa Inc	$38,364	$18.44	18
   18	Aerotek	$38,073	$18.30	158
   19	Peckham	$38,004	$18.27
   20	Randstad North America, Inc.	$37,829	$18.19	3

4. Writing a junior mechanic job description

   A junior 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a junior mechanic job description:

   Junior mechanic job description example

   Who We Are
   
   When you have a serious project that needs to be done, look no further than Tradestar. A leader in industrial craftsmanship. We innovate. We deliver.
   
   Tradestar was started in the birthplace of modern water gel explosives. The company was the truck shop where IRECO Chemicals built the first bulk delivery systems for emulsion type commercial explosives. Over the last 50 years a lot has changed - technology, governments, world economies, the materials we use in our daily lives. But, one thing remains unchanged - our dedication to doing the best work in the world. We keep an old-fashioned attitude about work, and that is doing what needs to be done to deliver on our promise. More and more, that means relying on brilliant engineers and hardworking craftsmen working in tandem.
   
   Join us in everything that's great about Tradestar: OUR culture, OUR values, OUR commitment to safety and most importantly our PEOPLE. This combination makes Tradestar a terrific place to work.
   
   What We Offer
   
   * 3 weeks vacation time + 11 paid holidays + a couple of PTO days
   * Full health benefits including employer HSA contributions + dental plan with an orthodontic option, wellness coaching available
   * Up to a 4% 401k match
   * Generous tuition reimbursement program
   * Generous paid parental leave
   * Friendly and supportive coworkers
   
   What You'll Do
   
   As the Plumbing and Finish Technician, you will be accountable to successfully complete plumbing, hosing, and other pump assemblies on specialty truck bodies and other mobile equipment. You will ensure compliance with applicable Company HSE Performance Standards, as well as applicable acts and regulations. Other duties will include:
   
   * Installation, and testing of pump assemblies for truck bodies and other plant equipment
   * Plumb, install, and troubleshoot pneumatic systems and make corrections/adjustments as necessary
   * Interpret engineering drawing, expectations, and convert into successful finished products
   * Accurately account for components used for specific jobs/work orders
   * Search for, identify, and implement improvement ideas continually
   * Participate in and contribute to team meetings
   * Shift to non-routine jobs as necessary (electrical, hydraulic, finish support, etc.)
   * Suggest, approve, and implement improvement ideas
   
   What We're Looking For
   
   * Hydraulic assembly and testing certification from an accredited technical or engineering school preferred; two years post High School technical education preferred
   * 2 years of hands-on experience in pump assemblies and plumbing, and/or hydraulic and/or pneumatics systems, assembly and testing
   * Requires some computer and mathematic skills; Proficient with use of basic measurement tools
   * High School Diploma (or GED equivalent) preferred
   * Working knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems including various pumps, motors, plumbing techniques, valves, fittings, hoses, fluids, and clamps
   * General mechanical skills and proficiency with hand tools and pipe fittings
   * Positive attitude, friendly demeanor, and a team player
   
   Leadership
   
   Quality
   
   Technology
   
   Reliability
   
   Women and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Tradestar Corporation is an equal employment opportunity employer and will give all qualified applicants consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit junior mechanics, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 junior mechanic

   Once you have selected a candidate for the junior 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 junior 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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