How to hire a special equipment technician

How to hire a special equipment technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step special equipment technician hiring guide:

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

Post a special equipment technician job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

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

   The following list breaks down different types of special equipment technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Special Equipment Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Special Equipment Technician	Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, also known as telecom technicians, set up and maintain devices or equipment that carry communications signals, connect to telephone lines, and access the Internet.	$12-31
   Videographer	A videographer specializes in shooting and editing high-definition videos of different events, making them presentable to clients. They are primarily responsible for having their video equipment, coordinating with clients to learn any preferences or particular requests, capturing and recording from the best angle, and producing results quickly and accurately... Show more	$14-29
   Video Coordinator	A video coordinator normally works with sports teams to help them curate video footage of their games and training sessions. One important aspect of their job to travel away with the team for their games... Show more	$11-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patient Care
   • Test Equipment
   • HVAC
   • MRI
   • Vital Signs
   • IEP
   • Troubleshoot
   • Blood Pressure
   • IP
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Lite

   Responsibilities:

   • Program numerous phone switches for clients.
   • Work for a CLEC DSL wholesale provider as a field technician.
   • Train in administration of first aide, CPR, and PMAB.
   • Resolve HVAC issues at a 5 story offices building that have been on going for 5 plus years.
   • Schedule and lead meetings for annual IEP reviews, triennial evaluations, initial evaluations, and kindergarten transitions.
   • Assist in writing IEP speech goals for elementary age children and keep weekly data on the progress of these goals.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, special equipment technicians' average salary in arkansas is 42% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level special equipment technicians earn 61% less than senior-level special equipment technicians.
   • Certifications. A special equipment technician 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 special equipment technician's salary.

   Average special equipment technician salary

   $42,388yearly

   $20.38 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level special equipment technician salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 11, 2026

   Average special equipment technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$54,480	$26
   2	New York	$50,659	$24
   3	Colorado	$46,587	$22
   4	Massachusetts	$46,110	$22
   5	Virginia	$44,789	$22
   6	West Virginia	$41,146	$20
   7	Texas	$40,331	$19
   8	Maine	$39,432	$19
   9	Illinois	$38,183	$18
   10	Missouri	$37,632	$18
   11	North Carolina	$34,438	$17
   12	Minnesota	$33,590	$16
   13	Arkansas	$32,777	$16

   Average special equipment technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Boston Public Schools	$69,126	$33.23	6
   2	Baptist Health	$56,723	$27.27	4
   3	General Dynamics	$56,487	$27.16	21
   4	Chesapeake Regional Healthcare	$55,049	$26.47	2
   5	Methodist Health System	$54,494	$26.20	8
   6	University of California-Berkeley	$52,354	$25.17	8
   7	Kings Canyon Unified School District	$51,116	$24.57
   8	CenterPoint Energy	$48,891	$23.51
   9	Vanderbilt University Medical Center	$48,399	$23.27	6
   10	Csu	$46,053	$22.14	17
   11	AdventHealth	$41,368	$19.89	21
   12	The Hiller Companies	$41,092	$19.76	1
   13	Gulfstream Aerospace	$40,531	$19.49	13
   14	LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions	$40,386	$19.42	1
   15	Scioto Services Llc	$40,368	$19.41
   16	PDS Tech	$40,337	$19.39	6
   17	Maine Health/maine Mental Health Partners	$38,025	$18.28	1
   18	Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$37,449	$18.00	10
   19	California State University, Long Beach	$30,623	$14.72
   20	BAYADA Home Health Care	$29,870	$14.36	1

4. Writing a special equipment technician job description

   A job description for a special equipment technician 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 special equipment technician job description:

   Special equipment technician job description example

   **PDS TECH is seeking multiple Sheetmetal Mechanics II for a special mission project in Brunswick, GA.**
   **Position Purpose:**
   
   + The Sheetmetal Technician II works under general supervision to safely layout, fabricate and install parts, equipment and fabricated items on aircraft following established operating procedures. All work performed should be in accordance with company design specifications, quality standards and completed work should meet customer expectations.
   
   **Principle Duties and Responsibilities:**
   
   + Safely perform sheet-metal layout, fabrication, and installation of parts, equipment or fabricated items on aircraft under general supervision. Coordinate with supervision and Inspection to ensure compliance with internal and FAA paperwork, sign-offs and quality specifications.
   
   + Use blueprints to cut and form plastics and follow standard operating procedures when using adhesives, sealants and solvents.
   
   + Utilizing proper tooling, shape and form complex angles and configurations according to blueprint specifications or written/verbal information.
   
   + Safely operate shop equipment such as: brakes, presses, riveting equipment, shears, and hand tools associated with sheet-metal functions. Use the proper hardware for various Sheetmetal applications.
   
   + Comply with all safety, 5S, and housekeeping policies. Use personal protective equipment as required. Ensure aircraft interior is protected (PTP).
   
   + Assist in monthly 5S audits.
   
   + Use the material tracking system to create parts demand, track squawks and to sign-off work.
   
   + Assist in developing initiatives to meet individual OGSM requirements, as required.
   
   **Additional Functions:**
   
   + Participate in continuous improvement activities (e.g. YIAW, Kaizen events, etc.).
   
   + Properly use and maintain company-provided tools and equipment and returns items to tool room after use.
   
   + Ensure standard operating procedures are followed when operating ground support equipment.
   
   + Properly collect and dispose of waste fuel, oil, hydraulic fluids, de-icing fluids, and solvent rags.
   
   + Ensure accurate daily job charging to the aircraft.
   
   + Exchange job related information and coordinate work activities between shifts through turn over report meetings and direct contact with leadership.
   
   + Assist in maintaining shop equipment and associated JSAs.
   
   + Perform other duties as assigned.
   
   **Experience Requirements:**
   
   + High School Diploma/GED.
   
   + Two (2) years of sheet-metal and/or fabrication experience.
   
   + **Valid Driver's License required.**
   
   **Unique Skills:**
   
   + Heavy Depot maintenance and sheet metal
   
   **Other Requirements:**
   
   + A working knowledge of sheet-metal installation and fabrication processes (measuring, cutting, bending, forming, and drilling of aluminum sheet stock, angle and honeycomb) is required.
   
   + Ability to read and interpret blueprints and engineering documentation.
   
   + Valid drivers license required. to operate towing and other Gulfstream transportation equipment.
   
   + Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
   
   + Able to use tools and equipment associated with sheetmetal installation and fabrication work.
   
   + Able to climb ladders and stairs, work in small restricted areas, lift up to 40 pounds and work any shift.
   
   + Must have a good working knowledge of computers and experience working with Microsoft Office suite.
   
   + Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find special equipment technicians for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your special equipment technician job on Zippia to find and recruit special equipment technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit special equipment technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   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 special equipment technician

   Once you've decided on a perfect special equipment technician candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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 special equipment technician 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a special equipment technician?