How to hire a line mechanic

How to hire a line mechanic, step by step

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

What does a line mechanic do?

Post a line mechanic job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a line mechanic, 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

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

   This list shows salaries for various types of line mechanics.

   Type of Line Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Line Mechanic	Industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging equipment. Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.	$17-28
   Industrial Maintenance/Electrician	An industrial maintenance/electrician specializes in installing and maintaining electrical systems in different establishments. Responsibilities usually include performing inspections to assess electrical damages on systems, understanding blueprints, troubleshooting problems, replacing or fixing components, and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure that electrical systems function smoothly and efficiently... Show more	$21-35
   Industrial Technician	An industrial technician oversees the different methods and systems used in a facility, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They are in charge of performing various tasks such as performing installations, reviewing blueprints and schematics, testing equipment and machinery, and conducting inspections and assessments to ensure that systems comply with the safety codes and standards... Show more	$14-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Ladders
   • Safety Regulations
   • Switches
   • Production Equipment
   • Hand Tools
   • Pneumatic Systems
   • Landing Gear
   • Safety Procedures
   • FOD
   • System Components
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Structural Components
   • Production Machinery

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Organize a procedure for rapid plumbing repairs by proactively devising a solid inventory system for effectively managing spare parts and tools.
   • Practice good OSHA and company safety standards.
   • Complete production line assignments, maintaining strict OSHA sanitary standards.
   • Maintain and repair PLC automate, electronic, pneumatic and mechanical machinery.
   • Install and repair electrical equipment such as switches, motors, and relays.
   • Fabricate defective sections or parts, using metal fabricating machines, saws, brakes, shears, and grinders.

   More line mechanic duties

3. Make a budget

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

   Average line mechanic salary

   $46,851yearly

   $22.52 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level line mechanic salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average line mechanic salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$56,977	$27
   2	New Jersey	$56,588	$27
   3	Pennsylvania	$55,724	$27
   4	Texas	$55,407	$27
   5	Arizona	$55,249	$27
   6	California	$55,114	$27
   7	Utah	$54,445	$26
   8	Wisconsin	$50,425	$24
   9	Florida	$49,337	$24
   10	Indiana	$48,893	$24
   11	Arkansas	$46,935	$23
   12	Missouri	$46,819	$23
   13	Connecticut	$46,614	$22
   14	Georgia	$46,370	$22
   15	Iowa	$46,200	$22
   16	Kansas	$45,906	$22
   17	Illinois	$45,091	$22
   18	Tennessee	$44,166	$21
   19	Ohio	$42,756	$21

   Average line mechanic salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Novartis	$67,656	$32.53	4
   2	World Fuel Services	$59,991	$28.84
   3	Church & Dwight Co.	$58,470	$28.11	6
   4	Eversource Energy	$57,537	$27.66	15
   5	Kimberly-Clark	$57,244	$27.52
   6	Nestlé	$56,692	$27.26	28
   7	MidAmerican Energy	$56,193	$27.02
   8	Silgan Holdings	$55,356	$26.61	1
   9	Marzetti	$55,260	$26.57
   10	Exelon	$55,224	$26.55	2
   11	W.M. Barr & Company	$54,257	$26.09
   12	Vencore	$54,201	$26.06
   13	Campbells	$53,848	$25.89	7
   14	Spectrum Brands	$53,713	$25.82
   15	Textron	$53,532	$25.74	105
   16	Crown Holdings	$53,398	$25.67	15
   17	CenterPoint Energy	$53,195	$25.57
   18	Aviation Technology Group	$53,072	$25.52
   19	PLZ	$52,801	$25.39	4
   20	Cambria	$52,477	$25.23	2

4. Writing a line mechanic job description

   A good line 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 line mechanic job description:

   Line mechanic job description example

   Operate semi and/or fully-automated machinery and equipment to meet or exceed performance expectations, perform routine maintenance to keep the up-time to optimal amounts and to meet/exceed performance standards. Demonstrate team work and collaboration skills to work well with others. Utilize mechanical knowledge and abilities to maintain machinery and equipment assigned. Lead by example for others and help to find ways to improve process/procedures. Demonstrate safe work practices and follow all Schwan Cosmetics, USA policies and procedures.
   Reports To: Production Supervisor Essential Responsibilities
   Operate all machinery and equipment to meet or exceed established expectations. Primarily operates semi-automated machine(s) equipment within quality and efficient standards.
   Perform routine maintenance (changing worn belts, machine/equipment components, airlines, electrical sensors, lubrication, cleaning, using safety guidelines such as lock-out/tag-out) on machinery and equipment to ensure optimal up-time and to meet/exceed performance standards..
   Assist with set-up, adjustments, line clearance and change-over of fully and semi-automated machine(s)/ equipment.
   Assist with trouble-shooting problems. Make repairs and perform adjustments.
   Engage in housekeeping, safety, and continuous improvement projects.
   Perform line operator duties including machine operations, paperwork, material movement, in-process testing, etc...
   Perform other duties as required.
   Minimum Qualifications: Education: Industrial Maintenance Certificate or equivalent knowledge and experience (including knowledge of sensors, cylinder and fiber optic switches, mechanical, electrical, and pneumatics). Must be able to speak, read/comprehend, and write in English.
   Experience: Minimum of 1+ years of work experience in a production machine driven field preferred.
   Other : Must complete the Bennett Mechanical Test with a 50% or higher mechanical aptitude.
   Functional Competencies: Basic math, basic PC knowledge and experience, mechanical working knowledge, machine operation ability, routine maintenance, working knowledge, cooperation, listening, collaboration, communication, decision making, team work.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find line 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 line mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit line mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit line 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.

   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 line mechanic

   Once you've selected the best line 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new line 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a line mechanic?