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How to hire a Mechanic

Mechanic hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring mechanics in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a mechanic is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per mechanic on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 415,823 mechanics in the US, and there are currently 100,534 job openings in this field.
  • Phoenix, AZ, has the highest demand for mechanics, with 53 job openings.

How to hire a mechanic, step by step

To hire a mechanic, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a mechanic, you should follow these steps:

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

What does a Mechanic do?

Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components. They can usually be seen indoors, garages in particular. Due to the advancement of technology, they are also required to be familiar with computer and software programs that can be used in auto shops and vehicles. They always work in safety precautions.

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

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

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

    This list shows salaries for various types of mechanics.

    Type Of MechanicDescriptionHourly Rate
    MechanicDiesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.$16-30
    Industrial Maintenance MechanicAn industrial maintenance mechanic is responsible for ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of industrial equipment and machinery to support operations and prevent operational delays. Industrial maintenance mechanics perform regular maintenance for the equipment, inspecting the components for any malfunctions, and conduct immediate repairs as needed... Show More$17-32
    Building Maintenance MechanicA building maintenance mechanic is primarily in charge of maintaining mechanical systems and equipment in good condition. They conduct regular maintenance checks, performing repairs or replacements when necessary... Show More$13-24
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common Skills:
    • Hand Tools
    • Preventive Maintenance
    • Customer Service
    • Customer Vehicles
    • Diagnosis
    • Electrical Systems
    • Ladders
    • Hydraulic Systems
    • HVAC
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Maintenance Services
    • Strong Customer Service
    • Scaffolding
    • ASE
    Check All Skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Dismantle and re-assemble equipment, using hoists and hand tools, such as transfer cases, hydraulic cylinders, bell housings.
    • Identify issues with wire feeder and power source, break press, overhead cranes , 2 ton to 25 ton hoists.
    • chain saws, trimmers, tractors, push mowers, blowers, generators, cut saws, power washers, etc.
    • Work with networking, plumbing, troubleshooting electrical and performing mechanical repairs.
    • Monitor HVAC systems and operations, and ensure that routine preventive maintenance are performed according to establish schedules.
    • Complete repair of low-boy style trailers, and tractors with wet line PTO systems.
    More Mechanic duties
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, mechanics' average salary in south carolina is 40% less than in connecticut.
    • Seniority. Entry-level mechanics 44% less than senior-level mechanics.
    • Certifications. A 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 mechanic's salary.

    Average mechanic salary

    $47,149yearly

    $22.67 hourly rate

    Entry-level mechanic salary
    $35,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 18, 2025

    Average mechanic salary by state

    RankStateAvg. SalaryHourly Rate
    1California$61,068$29
    2Washington$58,204$28
    3New Jersey$58,193$28
    4New York$54,887$26
    5Oregon$53,348$26
    6Massachusetts$52,460$25
    7Maine$52,189$25
    8Pennsylvania$51,777$25
    9Maryland$51,081$25
    10Illinois$50,660$24
    11Ohio$50,045$24
    12Utah$50,045$24
    13Colorado$50,036$24
    14Nevada$50,025$24
    15Virginia$49,860$24
    16Minnesota$49,503$24
    17Iowa$48,465$23
    18Missouri$46,279$22
    19Michigan$45,775$22
    20North Carolina$44,918$22

    Average mechanic salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage SalaryHourly RateJob Openings
    1Anheuser-Busch$76,214$36.641
    2Shiseido$75,622$36.361
    3L'Oréal$72,268$34.742
    4Genesee & Wyoming$70,264$33.789
    5Crown Equipment$68,832$33.09212
    6Tri-State G&T$68,695$33.031
    7B&G Foods$68,597$32.98
    8Calpine$67,937$32.66
    9National Grid plc$67,819$32.6120
    10Orange County Sanitation District$67,074$32.25
    11GATX$66,961$32.191
    12Pactiv$66,560$32.006
    13Santa Clara Valley Water District$66,486$31.96
    14Basin Electric Power Cooperative$66,212$31.832
    15Coty$66,185$31.82
    16Ferguson Enterprises$66,116$31.793
    17Sierra Pacific Industries$65,964$31.711
    18Madison Gas and Electric$65,473$31.48
    19Covanta$65,435$31.46
    20Novelis$64,613$31.068
  4. Writing a Mechanic Job Description

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

    Mechanic job description example

    The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We're a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

    No matter the brand, we're united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally . Bringing this vision to life is our team of 39,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we're transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion - and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen - there's only one thing to do: join our table and let's make life delicious!

    Our Culture of Ownership, Meritocracy & Collaboration

    We're not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. We empower our people at every level - from entry-level intern to senior leader - to own their work. We share a responsibility to think like Owners - to be mindful of the collective and sustained success of Kraft Heinz - which we apply to every situation, every day. As part of Kraft Heinz, you're supported to grow and achieve. You're expected to bring your authentic self to work every day, to lead with humility, and drive outstanding performance at every level - and you'll be rewarded. You're given opportunities to leave a mark and build a legacy. But you won't do it alone. You're supported by passionate teammates along the way, and our collective, collaborative spirit fuels our incredible progress.

    Job Description

    Maintenance Technician - Packaging

    The Kraft Heinz Company is currently seeking a Maintenance Technician to work at our production facility in Avon, NY. Ideal candidates must be safety and quality orientated and be willing to work in a team orientated, fast paced work environment.

    Benefits & Compensation Overview:

    Why work for us?

    At Kraft Heinz, we dream to become the best food company in the world, growing a better world. To accomplish our mission, we seek the best people, we support them in their career path to become their best. If you have a sincere passion for what you do, this is the place for you! Here is just a few great reasons to work for us:

    • Compensation $22.54 - $26.73 an hour (depending on experience), plus:
      • A $.30 shift differential for those who working on second.
      • A $.40 shift differential for those who working on third shift.

    Work Schedule:

    Monday-Sunday (3 Shift 24 Hour Operation, variable based on business needs and assigned work)

    Basic Purpose: To maintain, troubleshoot and make necessary repairs to ensure the efficiency, performance and reliability of the Cool WhipÒ systems and equipment in accordance with Kraft Foods policies and procedures in an efficient and safe manner to provide the highest level of quality and delivery to our customers.

    Responsibilities/Duties:

    Perform the duties within the Packaging Maintenance function with minimum supervision. Adhere to department GMP's policy / procedures. Maintain records pertinent to equipment performance, necessary repairs and downtime via PM's, SAP work requests, utilizing PC based systems. Communicate with the Supervisor as to product changeover and any other information necessary to insure the specified degree of quality and efficiency. Recognize and record any unusual condition or defective equipment via SAP Protocol. Maintain a clean and orderly work areas to insure the specified degree of cleanliness and sanitation standards. Observe all safety rules, policy, precautions and practices to insure the safety of self and others. Train / communicate to all personnel as required.\ Participate in the QRMP yearly audit and assist in the development of procedures and corrective actions Perform all other duties that may be assigned by the Supervisor.

    Skills Profile: This position requires the following skills:

    Teamwork (cooperation) Good interpersonal skills Ability to lead others Mechanical skills and abilities.

    - Troubleshooting, repair and rebuild, operating and maintenance.

    - Thorough understanding and ability to read / understand machine prints / drawings and sketches.

    - Thorough knowledge / ability Acetylene / Plasma cutting, as well as Heliarc / stick welding.

    - Thorough knowledge / ability to perform routine machining and parts fabrication and or repair.

    - Proficient in the use of hand and power tools pertinent to the job.

    Electrical skills and abilities.

    - Demonstrates thorough knowledge of PLC operation, logic and troubleshooting.

    - Demonstrates thorough knowledge of basic motor control circuitry.

    - Demonstrates thorough knowledge of “Sequence of operation” of equipment within the area of responsibility.

    - Proficient in the use of instruments / tools pertinent to the job.

    Communication - verbal and written Following directions (DPS, PM Routines / Detailed Steps) ATD (attention to detail) Ability to teach/train Time management Personal computer - entry and use of specific software programs. Possesses Motorized vehicle license

    Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk and hear; The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move 50 - 100 pounds, requesting assistance, as necessary.

    Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts. The employee will be exposed during his/her job to: high noise levels, chemicals, exposure to frozen product, fumes or airborne particles,

    numerous stair climbing, and slippery floors and sub-freezing environments, and may be required to perform work from ladders or elevated work platforms.

    EEO Policy

    Kraft Heinz is an EO employer - Minorities/Women/Vets/Disabled and other protected categories

    Location(s) Avon Plant Equal Opportunity Employer-minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity
  5. Post your job

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

    Recruiting mechanics 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 mechanic

    Once you have selected a candidate for the 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.

    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.

    To prepare for the new mechanic 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 a mechanic?

There are different types of costs for hiring mechanics. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new mechanic employee.

You can expect to pay around $47,149 per year for a mechanic, 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 mechanics in the US typically range between $16 and $30 an hour.

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