How to hire a mechanical installer

How to hire a mechanical installer, step by step

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

What does a mechanical installer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

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

   Yes

   No

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

   Type of Mechanical Installer	Description	Hourly rate
   Mechanical Installer	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—often called heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians—work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.	$13-30
   Hvac Apprentice	Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apprentices are trainees who work under HVAC maintenance workers. They train under HVAC maintenance workers to gain actual, on-the-job experience... Show more	$12-20
   Installation And Service Technician	An installation and service technician is an individual who oversees the continuous operation of personal equipment through operating functions. Installation and service technicians maintain the supplies, perform preventive maintenance, and call for repairs in structures... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • HVAC
   • Safety Procedures
   • Hand Tools
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • OSHA
   • Work Ethic
   • Duct Systems
   • Safety Rules
   • Install Equipment
   • Power Saws
   • Electrical Circuits
   • Hoists
   • Electrical Test Equipment
   • A/C

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead weekly toolbox safety meetings, and monitor work to ensure full compliance with OSHA / HAZWHOPPER compliance requirements.
   • Work with copper and brazing, black iron/threading, and PVC condensate lines.
   • Install pipes PVC's, and steel pipes.
   • Install evaporators in the air duct system using various hand tools.
   • work on walk in coolers and freezers and reach ins and ac units braze coppe.r wire units in.
   • Work in residential, commercial, and industrial environments and experience a broad range of learning opportunities in the HVAC trade.

   More mechanical installer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   $43,919yearly

   $21.11 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level mechanical installer salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average mechanical installer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$56,415	$27
   2	Maryland	$56,187	$27
   3	Washington	$49,906	$24
   4	New Jersey	$49,763	$24
   5	Rhode Island	$47,918	$23
   6	Indiana	$46,625	$22
   7	Colorado	$46,458	$22
   8	Illinois	$46,342	$22
   9	Texas	$45,885	$22
   10	Georgia	$45,868	$22
   11	Missouri	$45,639	$22
   12	Minnesota	$43,059	$21
   13	Michigan	$41,436	$20
   14	Utah	$41,327	$20
   15	North Carolina	$39,893	$19
   16	Tennessee	$39,389	$19
   17	Maine	$37,945	$18
   18	Alabama	$37,242	$18
   19	Oklahoma	$37,219	$18
   20	Ohio	$36,299	$17

   Average mechanical installer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Westinghouse Appliances Australia	$77,120	$37.08	38
   2	Crown Equipment	$70,358	$33.83	42
   3	Holman Automotive	$49,757	$23.92	7
   4	FlightSafety International	$48,991	$23.55	7
   5	American Residential Services	$47,174	$22.68	140
   6	General Dynamics	$47,038	$22.61	38
   7	L3Harris	$46,722	$22.46	91
   8	Stellar Industries, Inc.	$46,554	$22.38
   9	Skilled Trades	$43,752	$21.03	9
   10	LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions	$43,748	$21.03
   11	Aerotek	$43,464	$20.90	272
   12	System One	$43,291	$20.81	17
   13	Skyline Products	$43,197	$20.77
   14	Custom Truck One Source	$43,176	$20.76	20
   15	Electric	$43,176	$20.76	4
   16	Kion Group	$43,176	$20.76	46
   17	Aire Serv	$41,855	$20.12	158
   18	ManpowerGroup	$41,646	$20.02	50
   19	Auto Truck Group	$40,836	$19.63
   20	Automation Personnel Services	$38,510	$18.51	8

4. Writing a mechanical installer job description

   A mechanical installer 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 mechanical installer job description:

   Mechanical installer job description example

   Holman is a global automotive leader that serves both commercial and consumer clients The Holman Way by always doing the right thing for our people, our customers, and the community since 1924. The Holman story began nearly a century ago as a single Ford dealership in New Jersey. Today, Holman, headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, is one of the largest family-owned automotive service organizations in North America with more than 6,500 employees across North America, the UK, and Germany.
   
   Holman delivers a unique range of automotive-centric services including industry-leading fleet management and leasing; vehicle fabrication and upfitting; component manufacturing and productivity solutions; powertrain distribution and logistics services; commercial and personal insurance and risk management; and retail automotive sales as one of the largest privately owned dealership groups in the United States. Guided by its deeply rooted core values and principles, Holman is continuously Driving What's Right.
   * Primary job function will be installing new aftermarket equipment on new vehicles.
   * Understand the value that quality plays in the overall success of the company, help in increasing the quality of our products for the appearance and safety for our customers.
   * Ability to build vehicles according to work instructions and prints
   * Ability to safely mount and connect mechanical and electrical equipment.
   * Responsible for testing installed parts prior to final inspection.
   * Responsible for verifying all line items have been completed on the work order.
   * Inform and communicate suggestions and errors to relevant departments for continuous improvement of the installation process.
   
   What are we looking for?
   
   * 1-3 years of previous electrical, mechanical, and equipment assembly experience required.
   * Or, completion/current enrollment in an accredited Technical School.
   
   * Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools.
   * Understand electrical schematics
   * Understanding of 12V circuits
   * Troubleshoot problems
   * Must be able to work in multiple environments - shop, outside in all types of weather conditions as well as in an office. Ability to think on your own and request assistance when needed.
   * Must be able to perform within the established company standards, which include but are not limited to standard operating procedures, attendance, quality, team environment and performance.
   * Must pass a physical, drug test, and criminal background check prior to employment.
   
   What we offer:
   
   Benefits include competitive pay, health, dental and life insurance, tuition reimbursement, 401(k), on the job training and development and much more.
   
   At Holman, we exist to provide rewarding careers and better lives for employees and their families. We hire, train, empower, and reward exceptional people. Our journey is guided by our desire to get it right every time and the acknowledgement that we have an opportunity to be better. To be better, we have to do better, and to do better we must know better. That's why we are listening, open to learning new things - about ourselves and each other. We will never stop striving for improved diversity, equity, and inclusion because we are successful together when we feel trusted and supported. It's The Holman Way.
   
   Holman provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
   
   This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit mechanical installers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 mechanical installer

   Once you've found the mechanical installer 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   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.)

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