How to hire a mechanical foreman

How to hire a mechanical foreman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step mechanical foreman hiring guide:

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

Post a mechanical foreman job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The mechanical foreman 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 mechanical foreman's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, mechanical foremen 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 mechanical foremen and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Mechanical Foreman	Description	Hourly rate
   Mechanical Foreman		$15-36
   Facility Supervisor	A Facility Supervisor is responsible for maintaining an organization's facilities' safety and security to ensure smooth and efficient business operations. Facility Supervisors monitor the adequacy of inventories and handle the budget to purchase materials and equipment for operations... Show more	$12-30
   Equipment Manager	An equipment manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the office equipment and machinery to support the business functions and daily operations. Equipment managers perform preventive maintenance on the machines and equipment, reviewing its licenses and service agreements, as well as look for product alternatives with minimal costing but deliver high-performance... Show more	$14-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Regulations
   • OSHA
   • Plumbing
   • HVAC
   • Equipment Repair
   • Ladders
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • Safety Rules
   • Structural Steel
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Mechanical Systems
   • PVC
   • Cooling Towers
   • FRA

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and supervise residential remodel and new construction projects.
   • Prepare all permits (lock out, tag out, and work permits).
   • Instruct and train part-time personnel on proper maintenance procedures, preventative maintenance and proper FAA logbook documentation.
   • Motivate high crew productivity, inspect completed structures and verify adherence to technical specifications during this refinery turnaround.
   • Install Vav's, flexible ducts, grills.
   • Measure, cut and install duct and VAV's for roof top systems daily with man hours calculate and schedule.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, mechanical foremen' average salary in kentucky is 49% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level mechanical foremen 56% less than senior-level mechanical foremen.
   • Certifications. A mechanical foreman 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 mechanical foreman's salary.

   Average mechanical foreman salary

   $50,649yearly

   $24.35 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level mechanical foreman salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a mechanical foreman job description

   A mechanical foreman 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 mechanical foreman job description:

   Mechanical foreman job description example

   Are you ready to make an impact? As Power Design expands into mechanical work, we are looking for a Mechanical Foreman to play a critical leadership role in the success of our new projects. This means we’ll need someone to ensure all projects maintain a high level of quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. To top it off, you’ll not only have access to innovative technologies in the field – including fully-equipped iPads – but you’ll also travel to our 16,000-square-foot training facility for customized training courses at our headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. Sound like an exciting opportunity? Apply today!

   position details/responsibilities…

   • Work closely with project Superintendent and other trades, oversee the assigned scope, including the management of material and manpower
   • Accountable for enforcing and promoting high quality and safety standards
   • Utilize technology such as company-provided iPad and smartphone to ensure the job gets done on time and exceeds customer expectations
   • Supervise, mentor, and motivate employees working on designated scope

   here’s what we’re looking for…

   • Progressive Mechanical, HVAC, or Plumbing leaders who love using technology and want a clear career path
   • Skilled field supervisor with at least five years of experience managing a scope and running multimillion-dollar projects
   • Active journeyman or master license preferred
   • Proficient knowledge of the IECC, ICC, and ASHRAE Standards; local codes; and construction safety requirements
   • Must have at least basic computer and writing skills
   • Demonstrate and uphold all of Power Design’s core values, which include integrity, accountability, teamwork, innovation, and growth

   At Power Design, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Power Design believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is paramount to our success as a national company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool nationwide.

   Company DescriptionPower Design’s integrated approach to design and construction is what sets us apart. As a full-service, tech-driven MEP Contractor and Systems Integrator, we’ve been disruptors in the construction industry over the last 31 years. Power Design’s commitment to innovation and creating exceptional experiences spans as wide as our coast-to-coast presence and 40-acre national campus. Even during challenging times, our award-winning technology, dedication to training, holistic outlook and unparalleled leadership are what make us built to last.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting mechanical foremen 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.

   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.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new mechanical foreman

   Once you've found the mechanical foreman 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.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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 mechanical foreman?