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How to hire a tractor trailer mechanic

Tractor trailer mechanic hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring tractor trailer mechanics in the United States:

  • There are currently 5,842 tractor trailer mechanics in the US, as well as 86,895 job openings.
  • Tractor trailer mechanics are in the highest demand in South Plainfield, NJ, with 7 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a tractor trailer mechanic is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new tractor trailer mechanic to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a tractor trailer mechanic, step by step

To hire a tractor trailer mechanic, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a tractor trailer mechanic:

Here's a step-by-step tractor trailer 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 trailer mechanic job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new tractor trailer 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 trailer mechanic you need to hire. Certain tractor trailer 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?

    Hiring the perfect tractor trailer mechanic 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.

    This list shows salaries for various types of tractor trailer mechanics.

    Type of Tractor Trailer MechanicDescriptionHourly rate
    Tractor Trailer MechanicDiesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.$16-30
    Diesel TechnicianDiesel 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
    Mechanic HelperThe job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues... Show more$11-19
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • DOT
    • Hand Tools
    • Troubleshoot
    • Preventive Maintenance
    • Shop Equipment
    • Electrical Systems
    • Trailer Repair
    • A/C
    • Tractor Trailer
    • Electrical Troubleshooting
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Diagnosis
    • Electrical Repairs
    • Freightliner
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
    • Dot inspections, drive line component service.
    • Maintain trailers, overhead doors, lift gates & dollies
    • Stick welding and MIG welding equipment to fabricate & repair metal parts.
    • Work on all types of lawn mowers, tractors and tractor implements.
    • Perform HVAC repairs ranging from troubleshooting to retrofits to complete system replacements.
    More tractor trailer mechanic duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your tractor trailer mechanic job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A tractor trailer mechanic 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 tractor trailer mechanic in Arkansas may be lower than in California, and an entry-level tractor trailer mechanic usually earns less than a senior-level tractor trailer mechanic. Additionally, a tractor trailer mechanic 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 tractor trailer mechanic salary

    $47,816yearly

    $22.99 hourly rate

    Entry-level tractor trailer mechanic salary
    $35,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 24, 2025

    Average tractor trailer mechanic salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$59,209$28
    2Illinois$54,669$26
    3Virginia$53,822$26
    4Michigan$50,120$24
    5Iowa$47,782$23
    6Minnesota$46,963$23
    7Texas$45,359$22
    8Ohio$45,271$22
    9Georgia$45,003$22
    10Tennessee$44,649$21
    11Kentucky$43,998$21
    12Indiana$43,756$21
    13North Carolina$43,640$21
    14South Carolina$40,390$19

    Average tractor trailer mechanic salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1XPO Logistics$55,448$26.66
    2Marino\WARE$55,251$26.56
    3McKesson$53,191$25.57
    4Praxair$47,503$22.84
    5Ajilon Consulting$46,224$22.22
    6Labor$45,415$21.83
    7Americold$45,007$21.647
    8KC Enterprises$44,536$21.41
    9Amwaste Inc.$44,536$21.414
    10Universal Logistics Holdings$43,791$21.057
    11KLLM Transport Services$43,771$21.0410
    12Caliper Family of Companies$43,657$20.99
    13Trudell Trailers of Minnesota$42,928$20.64
    14Quala$42,165$20.2720
    15Salson Logistics$40,596$19.52
    16Premier Transportation$39,736$19.10
    17M&M Transport Services$39,288$18.89
    18J.B. Hunt Transport Services$38,025$18.2862
  4. Writing a tractor trailer mechanic job description

    A good tractor trailer mechanic job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a tractor trailer mechanic job description:

    Tractor trailer mechanic job description example

    This is a Class A CDL Tractor Trailer Driver Route. Working Monday-Friday and starting at 6AM and ends when route is over, generally 9-11 hour day. Starting rate of pay is $30.86/HR. Fully paid Union Benefits and Insurance. Company paid Union Pension.

    **We are also offering a $4,000 Stay On Bonus!**

    Who Are We?

    WASTE CONNECTIONS, Inc. (NYSE:WCN) – We are an integrated solid waste services company that provides solid waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services. The Company serves more than 7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across 40 States, The District of Columbia and 6 Canadian Provinces. Forbes Magazine voted Waste Connections as one of the Top 200 small & mid-cap Companies in America”, 3 Years in a Row !

    Why you need to join us!

    • CULTURE: It’s a Great place to work! We work in an environment where empowered, self-directed All-stars know what they do is important.
    • INTEGRITY: Our definition is “saying what you will do and then doing it!” We keep our promises to our customers and our employees.
    WHAT WE OFFER:·Union Medical Benefits and Pension Plan eligible Day 1! ·Yearly Boot Voucher of up to $450.00 a Year ·Yearly Safety Bonus of up to $1,750·Company uniforms, High Visibility PPE gear and Safety gear.·$4,000 Stay On Bonus!DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:·Ability to safely operate a garbage truck on specified routes.·Ability to read Route Tablet and service each customer identified on the Route or assigned by the dispatcher.·Ability to Lift, Push and Pull Using Hydraulic hand Controls.·Perform routine inspection and maintenance on vehicles such as checking fluids, safety equipment, and tires.·Ability to perform a physically demanding job, loading and unloading, at times with no helpers.·Operate hydraulic hand controls to lift/load refuse and dispose of trash at designated facilities.·Courteous interaction with our customers and perform other miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.·A typical schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, with an occasional Saturday as needed, 45-50 hour work week.WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:·Extensive physical activity. Requires strenuous physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects over 50 pounds.·Work environment involves some exposure to physical risks such as moving mechanical parts. Which require following basic safety precautions.·The employee is exposed to outside weather, including frequent wet and/or humid conditions, as well as exposure to fumes and vibration. Noise level is usually moderate.MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:·Valid Class A CDL as a minimum.·Ability to read, write, comprehend and communicate in English. High school diploma or equivalent preferred.·Minimum 2 years of experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.·Basic knowledge of truck components in order to complete pre- and post-trip inspections.To be considered for any of our current openings you must complete an application at www.wasteconnections.com . Application information and additional instructions can be found once you select your position of interest.Waste Connections is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran)
  5. Post your job

    To find the right tractor trailer mechanic for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with tractor trailer mechanics they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit tractor trailer mechanics who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your tractor trailer mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit tractor trailer mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit tractor trailer mechanics, 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. 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 trailer mechanic

    Once you have selected a candidate for the tractor trailer mechanic position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    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 tractor trailer mechanic 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

How much does it cost to hire a tractor trailer mechanic?

There are different types of costs for hiring tractor trailer mechanics. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new tractor trailer mechanic employee.

You can expect to pay around $47,816 per year for a tractor trailer mechanic, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for tractor trailer mechanics in the US typically range between $16 and $30 an hour.

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