How to hire a truck mechanic

How to hire a truck mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step truck 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 truck mechanic job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new truck mechanic
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a truck mechanic do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the truck mechanic you need to hire. Certain truck 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

   Hiring the perfect truck 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.

   Here's a comparison of truck mechanic salaries for various roles:

   Type of Truck Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Truck Mechanic	Diesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.	$17-32
   Automotive Service Technician	Automotive service technicians, often called service technicians, have a duty to inspect, maintain, and repair cars and even light trucks. It is their job as automotive service technicians to find problems, often by computerized diagnostic equipment... Show more	$12-35
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Customer Service
   • Electrical Systems
   • Diesel Engines
   • DOT
   • Hand Tools
   • Diagnosis
   • Hydraulic Systems
   • HVAC
   • Preventive Maintenance
   • Truck Repair
   • A/C
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • Perform Routine Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
   • Detail completion in writing of diagnosis and repair on company repair order.
   • Raise trucks, buses and heavy parts and equipment using hydraulic jacks and hoists.
   • Service air system and troubleshoot, repair, and service air conditioning systems on trucks.
   • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
   • Perform all FHWA and D.O.T.

   More truck mechanic duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the truck mechanic job description is a good way to get more applicants. A truck mechanic salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a truck mechanic in New Mexico may be lower than in Nevada, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level truck mechanic. Additionally, a truck mechanic with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average truck mechanic salary

   $50,169yearly

   $24.12 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level truck mechanic salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average truck mechanic salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$59,023	$28
   2	Massachusetts	$57,882	$28
   3	California	$55,983	$27
   4	Washington	$55,876	$27
   5	New York	$55,666	$27
   6	Virginia	$53,976	$26
   7	Pennsylvania	$53,495	$26
   8	Colorado	$52,166	$25
   9	Oregon	$51,761	$25
   10	Oklahoma	$51,507	$25
   11	Illinois	$51,401	$25
   12	Texas	$49,426	$24
   13	Louisiana	$48,684	$23
   14	Florida	$48,269	$23
   15	Utah	$47,654	$23
   16	Georgia	$46,963	$23
   17	Iowa	$46,302	$22
   18	Minnesota	$45,958	$22
   19	Arizona	$45,767	$22
   20	North Carolina	$45,328	$22

   Average truck mechanic salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Allan A. Myers	$62,296	$29.95	8
   2	Johnson Controls	$61,748	$29.69	146
   3	Kemp Technologies	$60,216	$28.95	17
   4	Bartley Healthcare	$59,630	$28.67
   5	Fisher Industries	$59,620	$28.66	22
   6	Superior Energy Services	$58,555	$28.15	4
   7	Ford Motor	$58,278	$28.02	8
   8	Nestlé	$58,055	$27.91	13
   9	Michels	$57,641	$27.71	18
   10	Barnhill Contracting	$56,756	$27.29	4
   11	Enterprise Products Partners	$56,384	$27.11
   12	Rogers Group	$56,141	$26.99	16
   13	Oldcastle Infrastructure	$55,262	$26.57	181
   14	Cintas	$54,692	$26.29	6
   15	H&K Group	$54,681	$26.29	21
   16	Bruce Transportation Group	$54,186	$26.05
   17	NexTier Oilfield Solutions	$54,120	$26.02
   18	Reeb	$53,626	$25.78	1
   19	Martin Marietta	$53,611	$25.77	15
   20	Calportland	$53,528	$25.73	13

4. Writing a truck mechanic job description

   A job description for a truck mechanic 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 truck mechanic job description:

   Truck mechanic job description example

   This position is responsible for ensuring the highest quality of repair and maintenance services for a fleet of heavy-duty tractor-trailers at our Verona, KY plant. The plant is conveniently located near Cincinnati, OH and Florence, KY. We offer competitive compensation and benefits in a fast-paced environment. Requirements
   
   Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required.Experience: At least 2 years of mechanic experience required. Working in an environment subject to DOT regulations is a plus.Certifications: Must possess the proper certifications or work history for performing mechanical and electrical work on over-the-road tractors and trailers.Licenses: Valid Driver's License required. Class A CDL preferred (must be willing to obtain within six months of employment). Skills: Basic reading and math skills as well as effective communication skills required. Basic computer skills with operating knowledge of Microsoft Office software also required. Aluminum MIG welding skills preferred.Abilities: Ability to assess equipment failure causes and lead troubleshooting discussions. Physical ability to safely climb ladders/steps, work in elevated areas, reach, lift and carry heavy objects, stand, walk, sit, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, speak, hear, use hands, arms, and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls. Behaviors: The ability to independently troubleshoot and solve problems in a fast-paced workplace with minimal supervision.Tools: Required to bring your own tools to the shop.Essential Functions:Perform mechanical and electrical repairs on fleet tractors, pneumatic trailers, and shop trucks.
   
   Perform various mechanical repairs on buildings and equipment including but not limited to power tools, pumps, doors, blowers, etc.
   Perform and document DOT inspections of pneumatic tractors and trailers for safe operation.
   
   Maintain accurate and precise records of repair orders on equipment and work areas.
   
   Periodically perform on-call services outside of normal business hours as needed at various locations in and away from the plant. Must respond to callouts within a reasonable period as defined by management.
   
   Drop and hook equipment daily utilizing fleet equipment.
   
   Perform and document DOT inspections of equipment and work areas.
   
   Maintain a safe and clean work environment by performing regular housekeeping duties in assigned areas; conduct and document safety and housekeeping audits.
   
   Assist team with maintaining an up-to-date working parts inventory system for equipment.
   
   Work and coordinate with supervisors, dispatchers, crew leaders, and other employees to strive for continuous improvements in safety and operational efficiency.
   
   May be required to participate in training coworkers.
   
   Perform other responsibilities as needed.
   
   Direct reports: NoSubordinate supervisors: No
   
   Pay Range: $18.75 - $28.85 per hour Americans with Disabilities Specifications:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Functions of this job. Reasonable Accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the Essential Functions. Contact Human Resources for accommodation requests.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find truck mechanics 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 truck mechanics they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level truck mechanics 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 truck mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit truck mechanic 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 truck mechanics, 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 truck mechanic

   Once you've selected the best truck mechanic 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new truck mechanic. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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How much does it cost to hire a truck mechanic?