How to hire a tractor mechanic

How to hire a tractor mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step tractor mechanic hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the tractor mechanic you need to hire. Certain tractor mechanic 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 tractor mechanic's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, tractor mechanics 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 tractor mechanics.

   Type of Tractor Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Tractor Mechanic	Diesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.	$17-31
   Diesel Technician	Diesel technicians specialize in repairing and handling the maintenance of vehicles powered by diesel. They are primarily responsible for inspecting cars, conducting tests, and identifying its problems to determine what course of action to take... Show more	$15-31
   Shop Technician	Shop Technicians are skilled workers assigned to a retail store. Their main activities depend on the nature of the business their company is in... Show more	$12-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Routine Maintenance
   • Hydraulic Systems
   • Hand Tools
   • Troubleshoot
   • Electrical Problems
   • FHWA
   • Diesel Engines
   • Parts Room
   • Perform Routine Maintenance
   • Electrical Repairs
   • Parts Inventory
   • Hoists
   • Engine Repair
   • EGR

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
   • Remove and disassemble engine, transmission and clutches, using hoists, jacks and mechanic's handtools.
   • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
   • Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, tractor mechanics' average salary in mississippi is 32% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level tractor mechanics 45% less than senior-level tractor mechanics.
   • Certifications. A tractor mechanic 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 tractor mechanic's salary.

   Average tractor mechanic salary

   $49,150yearly

   $23.63 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level tractor mechanic salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a tractor mechanic job description

   A tractor mechanic 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 tractor mechanic job description:

   Tractor mechanic job description example

   Ready for a game changing career? It's time you get the best pay and the best benefits package in the region right now!
   
   No experience? No problem! We have the experts that will train you to become an elite mechanic! Have experience? We have the power to push your career to the next level!
   This Exciting Opportunity Features the Following Benefits:
   
   * Life Changing Pay - Our Top 20% of Mechanics Earned over $87,000 & Overall the Average Salary is $75,000 based on performance.. We'll help you earn your way to the top with bonuses & unlimited overtime!
   * More Free Time - Make Top Tier Pay while Only Working a 3 or 4-Day Work Week!
   * Vacation & Sick Time
   * No Tools? We Provide Up to $1500 for you to Equip Yourself with the Tools of the Trade
   * The Power & Size of Prime Gives You Unlimited Advancement Opportunities
   * Unbeatable Health Insurance Benefits at Extremely Reasonable Rates
   * HSA Benefits
   * Dental & Vision Plans
   * Accident, Short Term Disability & Life Insurance Options
   * 401k Retirement Plans with up to a 5% Match from Prime Inc.
   * An Innovative Wellness Program that Pays You to be Healthy
   * We Provide Bibs, Steel Toed Boots, Coats, or Shirts Yearly with our Prime Apparel Program
   * Continued Education Opportunities Include: OEM Educational Options, HVAC Certification & College Tuition Reimbursement
   
   Our mechanics work in the best shops, with the best equipment & are empowered to really make a difference. Prime Inc. is the #1 refrigerated trucking company in America because we invest in our associates. This is your chance to become part of the best team in trucking!
   
   Responsibilities
   
   * Reads job order and listens to trailer in operation to determine malfunction and plan work procedures.
   * Observes and listens to operating machines or equipment to diagnose machine malfunction and determine need for adjustment or repair.
   * Raises vehicle, with hydraulic jack or hoist, to gain access to mechanical units bolted to underside of vehicle.
   * Dismantles machine or equipment to examine parts for defect or to remove defective part.
   * Examines protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices on trucks and makes adjustments.
   * Replaces defective part with new part or repairs or reproduces part from various kinds of metal stock.
   * Relines and adjusts brakes, aligns front end, repairs or replaces shock absorbers, and solders leaks in radiator.
   * Assembles and test operates machine to verify connection of malfunction.
   * Fabricates special lifting or towing attachments, hydraulic systems, shields, or other devices according to blueprints or schematic drawings.
   * Maintains and lubricates machine tools and equipment.
   * Fixes body and/or repairs structural features on equipment.
   * Performs routine preventative maintenance services.
   * Electrical diagnostics and safety system repairs and replacement of parts
   * Performs DOT inspections and all federal and state repair requirements.
   * Cleans tools and working area.
   
   Current Available Shifts:
   
   Sun-Wed; Every other Wednesday off: 4:30 PM - 4:30 AM
   
   Wed-Sat; Every other Wednesday off: 4:30 PM - 4:30 AM
   
   Qualifications
   
   Any combination of education, training, and experience providing the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
   
   Knowledge
   
   Mechanical experience is a plus.
   
   Abilities
   
   Must have a strong work history. Flexible schedule with the ability to work nights and weekends required. Candidate must be able to acquire own basic hand tools and toolbox by the end of the training period (approximately 60 to 90 days).
   
   Experience, Education, and Training
   
   High school diploma or general education degree (GED); one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   This position requires constant standing, forward reaching and feeling; frequent head turning, bending, kneeling, stopping, squatting and pinching. Candidate must be able to lift and carry up to 100lbs and push and pull 50lbs. Steel toed footwear, and safety glasses are required in the shop.
   
   Working Environment
   
   Both indoor and outdoor working environment with exposure to varying weather conditions and chemical odors. Must be able to work in a results-oriented, fast-paced environment as part of a team. Applicants for the position understand and acknowledge that PRIME implements in active practice a hearing conservation program that is fully aligned with the prescribed OSHA and related regulatory requirements (as defined in 29 CFR 1910.95).
   
   Licensing/Certification
   
   Must have a valid driver's license and clean driving record.
   
   Miscellaneous Requirements
   
   Candidate must be able to pass a job specific post-offer physical prior to beginning employment with Prime, Inc.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find tractor mechanics 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 tractor mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit tractor mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting tractor mechanics 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 tractor mechanic

   Once you've decided on a perfect tractor mechanic 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 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new tractor mechanic. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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