How to hire a shop estimator

How to hire a shop estimator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step shop estimator hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The shop estimator 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?

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   Hiring the perfect shop estimator 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of shop estimators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Shop Estimator	Description	Hourly rate
   Shop Estimator	Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.	$19-35
   Quality Assurance Inspector	Quality Assurance Auditors are employees who ensure the adherence of other employees to company processes and guidelines. They are expected to be experts on quality assurance processes and procedures... Show more	$12-23
   Receiving Inspector	Receiving associates are responsible for receiving, unloading, and stocking merchandise in stockrooms. They check the quality and quantity of each product before stocking them... Show more	$14-24

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2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Insurance Adjusters
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Management System
   • Insurance Claims
   • CCC
   • Vehicle Damage
   • Repair Cost Estimates
   • Chrysler
   • Damage Reports
   • Customer Service
   • Process Claims
   • Timekeeping
   • Body Shop Estimates
   • ADP

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the estimating of a commercial & industrial plumbing and mechanical contracting business.
   • Report potential fraudulent claims to SIU.
   • Maintain excellent customer rapport and high CSI scores.
   • Refer suspicious auto claims to the SIU department.
   • Conduct customer follow ups resulting in high CSI ratings.
   • Work with Mitchell, ADP, CCC1 management systems.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your shop estimator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A shop estimator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, shop estimators' average salary in alabama is 50% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level shop estimators earn 45% less than senior-level shop estimators.
   • Certifications. A shop estimator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a shop estimator's salary.

   Average shop estimator salary

   $54,721yearly

   $26.31 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level shop estimator salary

   $40,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a shop estimator job description

   A job description for a shop estimator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a shop estimator job description:

   Shop estimator job description example

   Walker Automotive is a family-owned business, committed to always achieving the level of satisfaction that exceeds all customer expectations at our BMW, Buick GMC, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Honda, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Kia, and Toyota locations. We proudly serve the Alexandria, Leesville, Pineville, Avoyelles Parish and the heart of Central Louisiana.
   
   Walker Automotive of Alexandria was founded in 1919 and for four generations has been setting standards for excellence. We have earned numerous awards for innovative leadership and have been recognized locally as the first annual winner of the Better Business Bureau's National Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. We provide continuous online and hands-on training for all positions, a fantastic culture with monthly cook-outs and fishing tournaments and opportunities for advancement which will help you grow at Walker Automotive!
   Benefits Health, vision, dental, and life insurance 401k with employee match Five paid holidays per year Paid time off Paid Training Job Description:
   Prepare honest, accurate and complete damage estimates for customers
   Inspect damaged vehicles thoroughly using standard written procedures
   Estimate repair costs and the anticipated time needed to complete them
   Monitor repairs as they are made and track costs, labor and materials
   Ensure that all work meets quality standards
   Provide exceptional customer service and follow-up
   Coordinate and communicate actions within the dealership and the collision center
   Requirements:
   Knowledge of insurance procedures and requirements
   Excellent verbal and written communication skills
   Proficient in the use of estimating software
   Valid driver's license
   Must be able to pass thorough background check
   Proficiency with multi line phone systems and computers
   Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment
   Strong organizational and time management skills
   Job Type: Full-time position; Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5:30pm

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5. Post your job

   To find shop estimators 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 shop estimators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level shop estimators 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 shop estimator job on Zippia to find and recruit shop estimator 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 shop estimators, 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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 shop estimator

   Once you've selected the best shop estimator 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.

   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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