How to hire a marine mechanic

How to hire a marine mechanic, step by step

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

What does a marine mechanic do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

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

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

   Type of Marine Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Marine Mechanic	Small engine mechanics inspect, service, and repair motorized power equipment. Mechanics often specialize in one type of equipment, such as motorcycles, motorboats, or outdoor power equipment.	$12-28
   Mechanic Helper	The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues... Show more	$11-19
   Shop Mechanic	A shop mechanic is responsible for maintaining and repairing defective machinery and vehicles. Shop mechanics identify the disrupted components by inspecting and running diagnostic tests and informing the owner of the necessary procedures they need to take... Show more	$16-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Grinders
   • Hand Tools
   • Boats
   • Test Equipment
   • Shipyard
   • Diesel Engines
   • Technical Manuals
   • Perform Routine Maintenance
   • Diagnosis
   • Calipers
   • Cranes
   • Hydraulic Systems
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • Ladders

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Design shipboard HVAC and piping systems.
   • Install and repair marine systems such as electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, water maker, A/C, heating.
   • Complete roofing, framing, structure raising, electrical, plumbing, and all aspects from start to finish work.
   • Certify master marine mechanic, specializing in Yamaha and Johnson-Evinrude outboard motors as well as Kawasaki ATV's and jet skis.
   • Specialize in repairing and maintaining automotive transmissions.
   • Overhaul complex plumbing systems and insurance of valve dependability.

   More marine mechanic duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your marine mechanic job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A marine mechanic can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, marine mechanics' average salary in wisconsin is 49% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level marine mechanics 54% less than senior-level marine mechanics.
   • Certifications. A marine mechanic 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 a marine mechanic's salary.

   Average marine mechanic salary

   $40,580yearly

   $19.51 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level marine mechanic salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average marine mechanic salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Oregon	$57,289	$28
   2	Pennsylvania	$53,371	$26
   3	Texas	$49,513	$24
   4	California	$45,819	$22
   5	Hawaii	$39,088	$19
   6	Florida	$37,975	$18
   7	Washington	$35,805	$17
   8	Massachusetts	$35,756	$17
   9	South Carolina	$34,783	$17
   10	Virginia	$33,680	$16
   11	Nebraska	$32,122	$15

   Average marine mechanic salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Michels	$48,514	$23.32	18
   2	UC Santa Barbara	$47,309	$22.74
   3	United States Army Corps of Engineers	$42,385	$20.38
   4	Tradesmen International	$42,100	$20.24	35
   5	Goodwin Recruiting	$41,924	$20.16
   6	Huntington Ingalls Industries	$41,834	$20.11	48
   7	American Commercial Lines	$41,817	$20.10
   8	U.s. Coast Guard	$41,806	$20.10
   9	My Florida Regional Mls	$40,919	$19.67
   10	Foss Maritime	$40,913	$19.67	1
   11	The Hiller Companies	$40,659	$19.55	11
   12	Mattson	$40,566	$19.50
   13	Brunswick	$40,321	$19.39	12
   14	Orange County	$39,765	$19.12	8
   15	Foss & Co	$38,861	$18.68	3
   16	Aerotek	$37,175	$17.87	183
   17	NC.gov	$36,320	$17.46	17
   18	NC Department of Insurance	$36,089	$17.35
   19	Aramark	$34,938	$16.80	11
   20	Florida Department of Transportation	$34,201	$16.44

4. Writing a marine mechanic job description

   A marine 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 marine mechanic job description:

   Marine mechanic job description example

   Aerotek's client is one of the largest marina groups in the country. They are adding on to their current space and looking to hire mechanics to their growing team! Looking for a suitable candidate to join the mechanical department. Candidates must be willing to learn. Effort and attitude is most important. No marina experience required.
   **Responsibilities:**
   
   - Mechanical aptitude (preferably from an Automotive, Field service, Military or Marine Industry)
   
   - Attitude and strong work ethic
   
   -Service and repair on electrical and mechanical equipment on marine vessels.
   
   -Will be tasked with the repair and maintenance of all marine engines including outboard motors, inboard motors, and large diesel ship engines. (Diesel experience is not a requirement)
   
   **Skills:**
   
   Travel Lift, Heavy Equipment, Operator, general repair, landscaping
   
   **Additional Skills & Qualifications:**
   
   • Must be able to work flexible work schedules as needed
   
   • Regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to manipulate, handle or feel; reach with hands or arms; and talk or hear
   
   • Occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel crouch or crawl; and smell
   
   • Occasionally required to lift up to 40 pounds
   
   • Ability to organize and perform work efficiently
   
   • Must be able to work in extreme heat and cold and in a damp environment with moderate noise
   
   **Experience Level:**
   
   Intermediate Level
   
   **About Aerotek:**
   
   We know that a company's success starts with its employees. We also know that an individual's success starts with the right career opportunity. As a Best of Staffing Client and Talent leader, Aerotek's people-focused approach yields competitive advantage for our clients and rewarding careers for our contract employees. Since 1983, Aerotek has grown to become a leader in recruiting and staffing services. With more than 250 non-franchised offices, Aerotek's 8,000 internal employees serve more than 300,000 contract employees and 18,000 clients every year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in talent solutions. Learn more at Aerotek.com.
   
   The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right marine 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 marine mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit marine mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with marine 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 marine mechanic

   Once you've found the marine mechanic candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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 marine 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 marine mechanic?