How To Hire A Mechanical Technician

Research Summary. Here are some key facts to know if you're looking to hire a mechanical technicians in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a mechanical technician 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 mechanical technician 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 36,682 mechanical technicians in the US, and there are currently 106,997 job openings in this field.
  • Houston, TX, has the highest demand for mechanical technicians, with 17 job openings.

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How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Mechanical Technician

Recruiting mechanical technicians involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Mechanical technicians earn a median yearly salary is $51,367 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find mechanical technicians for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $18 and $32.

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How to hire a Mechanical Technician, step by step

To hire a mechanical technician, 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 mechanical technician, you should follow these steps:

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

1
Identify Your Needs

Before you get started with hiring a mechanical technician, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

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A mechanical technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, mechanical technicians 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 presents the salaries of various mechanical technician positions.

Type Of Mechanical TechnicianDescriptionHourly Rate
Mechanical TechnicianMechanical engineering technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture mechanical devices, including tools, engines, and machines. They may make sketches and rough layouts, record and analyze data, make calculations and estimates, and report their findings.$18-32
Industrial MechanicAn industrial mechanic maintains and repairs equipment and any other industrial types of machinery in a factory. Industrial mechanics manage the operation of machinery like production machinery, packaging equipment, and conveying systems... Show More$18-34
Instrument Technician ApprenticeAn instrument technician apprentice is responsible for performing installation and repairs on various electrical equipment and instruments such as control panels and motors, all while under the supervision and directives of a senior or master technician. Typically, their tasks revolve around conducting regular maintenance checks, coordinating with other technicians, organizing supplies, operating electrical tools, and understanding various electronic principles... Show More$12-27
Show More

2
Create An Ideal Candidate Profile

Before you start to recruit mechanical technicians, imagine the ideal employee for this position and begin creating a profile and job description. What skills do they have, and what responsibilities do they have to be proficient in?

Here are some of the most common mechanical technician skills:

Common Skills:
  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Hand Tools
  • Electro-mechanical
  • Mechanical Equipment
  • PLC
  • Mechanical Systems
  • Electrical Troubleshooting
  • Production Equipment
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • OSHA
  • Ladders
  • Calipers
  • Customer Service
  • Technical Support
Check All Skills

Here are the responsibilities that most mechanical technicians perform:

Responsibilities:
  • Dispatch work accordingly, manage and assist team members with more complex repairs and diagnosis.
  • Operate heavy equipment including cranes, heavy loaders, bulldozers, backhoes, and tractors.
  • Service motor relate equipment such as AC/DC drives, motor starters, power distribution equipment, and cranes and hoists.
  • Wire DC breaker/AC breaker panels.
  • Repair and wiring of DC electrical motors.
  • Test ac induction, brushless, brush, stepper motors.
Check all Duties

Beyond the nuts and bolts, cultural fit is an important factor. It might help to ask yourself how your ideal mechanical technician will live by the company's mission statement and contribute to the team dynamic you already have in place. Clearly communicating this vision in your mechanical technician job description will help attract candidates who are better suited for the role.

Most Common States For Mechanical Technicians In The US

Rank #State# Of Jobs% of PopulationAvg. Salary
1Georgia1,89118%$44,874
2North Carolina1,86918%$45,083
3Virginia1,52818%$53,812
4Massachusetts1,47722%$47,472
5Indiana1,23719%$53,825
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Professional Project Manager CV example

3
Make A Budget

Including a salary range in the job description is a good way to get more applicants. A mechanical technician salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, their level of experience, education and certifications, and the prestige of the employer. For example, the average salary for a mechanical technician in North Carolina may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level mechanical technician. Additionally, a mechanical technician with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

Updated March 16, 2023

Mechanical Technician Salary Estimate

$51,367

$24.70 hourly
Entry level Salary
$38,000 yearly

Mechanical Technician Average Salary By Location

RankStateAvg. SalaryHourly RateJob Count
1California$63,868$312
2Mississippi$58,640$28
3Arizona$58,358$285
4Nevada$57,376$289
5Colorado$55,467$273
Show More

Mechanical Technician Average Salary By Company

RankCompanyAverage SalaryHourly RateJob Openings
1Meta$96,886$46.582
2Amazon$74,013$35.5870
3Eli Lilly and Company$70,052$33.686
4Nabors Industries$70,043$33.678
5OUC$68,939$33.142
6Jefferson Lab$68,331$32.856
7Argonne National Laboratory$68,243$32.8121
8Brookhaven National Laboratory$68,037$32.7119
9Battelle$67,885$32.645
10Los Alamos National Laboratory$67,838$32.6139
11Cummins$67,369$32.3961
12Reckitt Benckiser$67,368$32.394
13Plug Power$67,320$32.3731
14Bloom Energy$67,278$32.354
15Merck$67,136$32.2874
16General Motors$65,866$31.6728
17General Electric$65,759$31.61134
18Andersen$64,894$31.201
19Tutor Perini$64,845$31.182
20Pactiv$62,903$30.2438
Show More

4
Writing a Mechanical Technician Job Description

A mechanical technician 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 technician job description:

Example of Full Job Description

1st Shift - M-Th: 6:00AM - 3:00PM - Friday: 6:00AM-10:00AM

2nd Shift - M-Th - 3:00pm to 12:00am Friday - 12Noon - 4:00 PM

3rd Shift - Sunday-Thursday - 10:00pm - 6:00AM

At this time, we are primarily hiring for 2nd shift.

Job Description:

Siemens Large Drives is New Kensington, PA, is looking for an Assembly Technician. In this role and under close supervision, you will complete mechanical and electrical assemblies and sub-assemblies using hand tools, and electronic and pneumatic tooling. Reports directly to the Production Supervisor.

The Electro-Mechanical Technician Level I (Assembly Technician) will be responsible to wire and assemble drives, sub-assemblies, and various components in accordance with engineering drawings, wiring schematics, and bills of material utilizing hand and power tools in a team environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Through component assembly - fit, align, drill, cut, and/or grind materials (i.e., metal, plastic).

Lift and position products to precise location using overhead crane and other material handling devices (i.e., power jack, fork truck). Move/position product as required.

Maintain safe, clean, and orderly work area by utilizing 5S practices and follow prescribed safety regulations.

Adhere to all safety policies and utilize all PPE.

Review and follow all ISO workmanship procedures

Work with Quality Assurance to meet internal and external customer expectations.

Identify discrepancies and questionable conditions related to task and communicate to appropriate personnel.

Actively participates in Lean continual improvement initiatives.

Assist less experienced associates.

Work overtime as required.

May be required to perform other duties as requested, advised, or assigned.

Required Knowledge/Skills, Education, and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Proficient use of basic hand and power tools required.

Ability to perform responsibilities from engineering drawings, wiring schematics and bills of materials.

Ability to climb to different heights and work at heights above waist level.

Occasional heavy lifting up to 50 pounds may be required.

Good written and oral communication skills required.

Basic math and problem-solving skills required.

Strong mechanical aptitude.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills, Education, and Experience

Experience in a production environment

Minimum of one-year mechanical, electrical or related experience preferred.

Basic digital literacy preferred.

Associate degree in electrical or electronics preferred

You should be proficient in:

  • Blueprint Reading
  • Electrical Schematics
  • Lean Manufacturing Principles
  • Mechanical Assembly Skills

5
Post A Job

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

6
Interview Process

Your first interview with mechanical technician candidates should focus on their interest in the role and their specific 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.

Don't forget to include a few questions that give a candidate chance to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their special skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, candidates who are good enough can move on to 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 Technician

Once you've selected the best mechanical technician 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 that you're offering the candidate. It's essential to ensure that your offer is competitive, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it's important to be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is 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 Checklist For The Hiring Process

  • 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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Hiring Mechanical Technicians FAQs

How Much Does A Good Mechanical Technician Cost?

A good mechanical technician costs $24.7 an hour in the US. However, it can vary based on factors such as the mechanical technician experience, abilities, industry, and the specific requirements of your business.

What Are The Duties Of A Mechanical Technician?

The duties of a mechanical technician are:
  • Dispatch work accordingly, manage and assist team members with more complex repairs and diagnosis.
  • Operate heavy equipment including cranes, heavy loaders, bulldozers, backhoes, and tractors.
  • Service motor relate equipment such as AC/DC drives, motor starters, power distribution equipment, and cranes and hoists.

Should I Hire A Mechanical Technician With No Experience?

Yes, you should hire a mechanical technician with no experience. Hiring an entry-level mechanical technician with no experience offers versatility for your team. They may lack some qualifications, but are adaptable and have not yet formed problematic habits. However, more training may be required compared to experienced.

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Updated March 16, 2023