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How to hire a mechanic helper

Mechanic helper hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring mechanic helpers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 158,875 mechanic helpers in the US, and there are currently 48,546 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a mechanic helper is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per mechanic helper on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Houston, TX, has the highest demand for mechanic helpers, with 5 job openings.

How to hire a mechanic helper, step by step

To hire a mechanic helper, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a mechanic helper:

Here's a step-by-step mechanic helper hiring guide:

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

What does a mechanic helper do?

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. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.

Learn more about the specifics of what a mechanic helper does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the mechanic helper you need to hire. Certain mechanic helper 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?

    Hiring the perfect mechanic helper 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.

    This list shows salaries for various types of mechanic helpers.

    Type of Mechanic HelperDescriptionHourly rate
    Mechanic HelperDiesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.$11-19
    Automotive Service TechnicianAutomotive service technicians, often called service technicians, have a duty to inspect, maintain, and repair cars and even light trucks. It is their job as automotive service technicians to find problems, often by computerized diagnostic equipment... Show more$12-35
    Mobile Equipment MechanicMobile equipment mechanics are skilled employees who are responsible for conducting repairs and maintenance of construction and surface mining equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and excavators. These mechanics must inspect machines and heavy equipment while evaluating operating manuals to perform diagnosis and resolve any defects... Show more$21-55
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Hand Tools
    • Work Ethic
    • Preventive Maintenance
    • Safety Equipment
    • Oil Changes
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Safety Procedures
    • Diesel Engines
    • HVAC
    • Mechanical Equipment
    • Hoists
    • Service Calls
    • Water Pumps
    • Electrical Systems
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
    • Change motors, diagnose problems and clean air conditioner units and maintain HVAC equipment.
    • Install or replace HVAC machinery, equipment and parts and using power tools or by hand.
    • Operate hoists, and pulleys when removing units such as large compressors, condensers and chillers.
    • Used specialty tools such as fixtures, engine hoists, jacks, brake caliper tools, pulley pullers and torque wrenches.
    • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
    More mechanic helper duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your mechanic helper job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A mechanic helper 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 mechanic helper in Nebraska may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level mechanic helper usually earns less than a senior-level mechanic helper. Additionally, a mechanic helper 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 mechanic helper salary

    $15.33hourly

    $31,892 yearly

    Entry-level mechanic helper salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 19, 2025

    Average mechanic helper salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$44,891$22
    2Washington$44,153$21
    3New York$41,545$20
    4Oregon$40,866$20
    5Oklahoma$33,739$16
    6Pennsylvania$33,267$16
    7Montana$32,273$16
    8Ohio$32,110$15
    9Texas$32,088$15
    10Florida$31,040$15
    11Arizona$30,857$15
    12Idaho$30,376$15
    13Indiana$29,826$14
    14New Mexico$28,838$14
    15North Carolina$28,116$14
    16Virginia$28,038$13

    Average mechanic helper salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Sierra Pacific Industries$45,344$21.806
    2Martin Midstream GP$41,948$20.176
    3Huntington Hospital$41,862$20.13
    4McCarthy Holdings, Inc.$40,177$19.328
    5USF Reddaway$38,749$18.63
    6Nabholz$38,675$18.593
    7Comfort Systems USA$37,765$18.169
    8City of Houston$37,638$18.105
    9VisionCorp Rep$37,420$17.991
    10Universal Environmental Services LLC$37,342$17.95
    11Waste Connections$36,785$17.69139
    12Loomis Group$35,977$17.3020
    13S.T. Wooten$35,587$17.11
    14Fugro$35,392$17.024
    15Talen Energy$35,273$16.96
    16AmeriPride Services$34,762$16.71
    17MSS Solutions$34,476$16.571
    18Avista$34,125$16.41
    19Atlantic Constructors$33,736$16.2214
    20Estes Express Lines$33,245$15.9844
  4. Writing a mechanic helper job description

    A mechanic helper 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. Below, you can find an example of a mechanic helper job description:

    Mechanic helper job description example

    10.) Test equipment after repair to ensure proper performance and compliance with

    manufacturers' specifications.

    11.) Perform necessary work while complying with all company policies and procedures. 12.) Perform additional duties as required or directed by their immediate supervisor or other

    manager.

    MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

    Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Must be a minimum of 18 years old

Work Experience:

  • Minimum of 2 years' work experience

Other:

  • Valid Driver's License Required
  • Must have own tools

Heavy Physical Demands:

Heavy physical effort required including pulling and lifting or moving heavy weight material with frequent lifting or moving materials or equipment (over 80 pounds). Any mechanic involved in tire changing activities may be required to lift heavier weights (over 140 pounds). If a position specific Physical Demands sheet is attached, it will describe in more detail the physical demands that are required.

Physical Activity:

Position requires the ability to continuously work around any or all of the following: noise, dust, heat, cold, oil and heavy equipment. Personal protective equipment is normally required of the position. Position requires ability to exchange ideas quickly and clearly and the ability to receive and evaluate detailed information and instructions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.

EOE. Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

  • Post your job

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

    To successfully recruit mechanic helpers, 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  • Send a job offer and onboard your new mechanic helper

    Once you've selected the best mechanic helper 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 mechanic helper. 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.

  • 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 mechanic helper?

    Before you start to hire mechanic helpers, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire mechanic helpers pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

    You can expect to pay around $31,892 per year for a mechanic helper, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for mechanic helpers in the US typically range between $11 and $19 an hour.

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