6 free automotive technician templates, general, independent shop, entry-level, master, dealership, and small-shop, with the flat-rate FLSA, ASE, and EPA 609 guidance generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
The automotive technician job description is one most shops grab from a generic one-pager that lists "diagnose and repair vehicles" and stops, missing the things that actually decide this hire: whether the role is hourly or flat-rate, that a flat-rate technician at an independent shop is still owed overtime, and which certifications, ASE and EPA 609, the job really needs. A small shop that copies a thin or dealership-flavored template ends up with the wrong pay assumptions and no credential checklist, which is exactly where the expensive mistakes happen.
At FirstHR, we build templates for the small, independent shops that make up most of this industry: around three-quarters of repair shops are independently owned and most have fewer than ten employees. The six templates below cover the role by setting, general, independent shop, entry-level, master, dealership, and a small-shop version, each with the FLSA pay-plan note and the ASE and EPA 609 fields built in. This page covers "automotive technician," "auto mechanic," "car mechanic," and "automotive service technician" job descriptions.
An automotive technician (the same role as auto mechanic) diagnoses, repairs, and maintains vehicles. The FLSA answer depends on setting: at an independent shop the tech is non-exempt and owed overtime, even on flat-rate pay, while a dealership may use a dealer exemption. EPA Section 609 is legally required for A/C work; ASE is the quality credential. The BLS median is $49,670 a year. Six templates, downloadable as DOCX.
What an Automotive Technician Does
An automotive technician diagnoses, repairs, and maintains vehicles to manufacturer and safety standards, from routine maintenance to complex electrical and computer diagnostics. The work is hands-on and increasingly technical, since modern vehicles run on software and sensors as much as mechanical parts.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies the role under automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), and treats "technician" and "mechanic" as the same occupation. Diesel and bus and truck mechanics fall under a separate, higher-paid code, which is why the diesel mechanic role gets its own template. For a general car shop, automotive technician, auto mechanic, and automotive service technician all describe the same hire.
Automotive Technician Duties and Responsibilities
Automotive technician duties cluster into four areas: diagnostics, repair and maintenance, documentation, and safety and compliance. A strong job description picks the specific responsibilities from each area that match your shop and the level of the role rather than listing every possible task.
Diagnostics
Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and computer issues
Use scan tools and diagnostic equipment
Road test to confirm the complaint and the fix
Repair and maintenance
Repair to manufacturer specifications
Perform brakes, suspension, and drivability work
Complete routine services and inspections
Documentation
Document findings and work on repair orders
Record parts, labor, and recommendations
Communicate repairs clearly for the customer
Safety and compliance
Handle fluids and refrigerant per EPA rules
Follow shop safety and hazard procedures
Keep the bay, tools, and shop clean and safe
The weighting shifts by level: an entry-level role leans into maintenance and inspections, a master role into complex diagnostics and mentoring, an independent-shop role into doing all of it plus customer contact. For a structured way to scope the role, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by setting and level. The repair core is the same across all six, but each emphasizes the duties, pay plan, and classification that fit a specific kind of shop and role. Use this guide to choose the closest fit, then adjust.
Automotive Technician (General)
Any repair setting
The universal version: diagnose, repair, and maintain vehicles, with the FLSA pay-plan note, ASE, and EPA 609 fields built in. The starting point for most shops.
Independent Shop
Small independent shops
For an independent repair shop: all makes and models, end-to-end jobs, customer contact, with the flat-rate and non-exempt overtime note independents need.
Entry-Level / Lube
First hire, paid training
For a first or junior hire: oil, tires, inspections, and basic maintenance with a clear path to technician. No experience required, straight hourly.
Master / Senior
Complex diagnostics, mentoring
For your top tech: complex diagnostics, major repairs, and mentoring junior techs, usually ASE Master, often at the top of the pay range.
Dealership
Franchised dealerships
For a franchised dealership: factory-standard repairs, warranty work, and brand training, with the note that the dealer FLSA exemption may apply here.
Small Shop / Owner-Operated
Owner-run, hands-on
The ICP version for a small owner-run shop where the tech does a bit of everything, honest that the role is non-exempt and owed overtime.
Match the Template to the Setting
Any repair setting: the general version. A small independent shop: Independent Shop. A first or junior hire on hourly pay: Entry-Level / Lube. Your top diagnostic tech: Master / Senior. A franchised dealership: Dealership (note the dealer FLSA exemption). A small owner-run shop: the Small Shop version. When in doubt for an independent shop, start with the Independent Shop version and adapt.
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: shop and job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, an FLSA or pay-plan note, compensation, and how to apply, with an equal opportunity statement, and the pay plan, ASE, and EPA 609 carried as fill-in fields. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
General, independent shop, entry-level, master, dealership, and small shop. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Automotive Technician (General)
The universal version: diagnose, repair, and maintain vehicles, with the FLSA pay-plan note, ASE, and EPA 609 fields built in. The starting point for most shops.
Automotive Technician Job Description (General)
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: [Shop Owner / Service Manager / Lead Technician]
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly or flat-rate); confirm by setting and pay plan
Pay: $_ per hour / flat-rate $_ per flagged hour
ABOUT [SHOP NAME]
[Two or three sentences about your shop: what you work on, how long
you have operated, team size, and the work environment. Technicians
choose shops on pay plan, equipment, and culture, so this section
earns the application.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Shop Name] is hiring an Automotive Technician to diagnose, repair,
and maintain customer vehicles to manufacturer and safety standards.
You will perform diagnostics, repairs, and routine maintenance,
document work on repair orders, and keep your bay safe and organized.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and computer issues
•Perform repairs and maintenance to manufacturer specifications
For an independent repair shop: all makes and models, end-to-end jobs, and customer contact, with the flat-rate and non-exempt overtime note independents need.
[Dealership Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 6: Small Shop / Owner-Operated
The version for a small owner-run shop where the tech does a bit of everything, honest that the role is non-exempt and owed overtime, even on flat-rate.
Small Shop / Owner-Operated Automotive Technician Job Description
State the pay plan plainly: hourly or flat-rate. In a small
independent shop, the technician is NON-EXEMPT and owed overtime over
40 hours, even on flat-rate pay, since flat-rate is not automatically
commission. This is general information, not legal advice.
PAY AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay: $_ per hour / flat-rate $_, paid [weekly/biweekly]
Benefits: [what you offer, even if simple: __]
To apply, [email _ / call / stop by ______].
[Shop Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
FLSA, Flat-Rate Pay, ASE, and EPA 609
This is the part the generic templates skip, and for an automotive technician it is where the real risk lives: the pay plan and overtime rules, the independent-versus-dealership distinction, and the two credentials that matter. Get these right and your posting attracts the right candidates and protects your shop.
Flat-rate pay does not cancel overtime, and this trips up shops constantly
Many shops pay technicians flat-rate, also called flag-rate, a set amount per booked hour for each job rather than per clock hour. The mistake small shops make is assuming flat-rate pay means no overtime. It does not. Flat-rate pay does not automatically qualify as commission under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and courts have repeatedly held that a flat-rate technician at an independent shop is non-exempt and owed overtime at one and a half times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a week. For flat-rate to count as a true commission exemption, the pay must be proportionally tied to what the customer is charged and meet a strict test, which most shop pay plans do not satisfy. State the pay plan plainly on the posting, track actual hours worked even for flat-rate techs, and pay overtime when it is earned. This is general information, not legal advice.
Independent shop versus dealership changes the FLSA answer
Where the technician works changes the overtime rules, and the generic templates never mention it. At an independent repair shop, which is most of the industry and FirstHR's typical buyer, technicians are non-exempt and owed overtime. At a franchised dealership, a salesman, partsman, or mechanic primarily engaged in servicing vehicles may be exempt under a specific dealer exemption in the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Supreme Court has confirmed that service advisors fall under it too. The practical takeaway for a small independent owner is simple: do not borrow a dealership job description or a dealership pay assumption, because the exemption that applies down the street at the franchise does not apply to your shop. Classify by your actual setting and pay plan. This is general information, not legal advice.
ASE and EPA 609 are the credentials to put on the posting
Two credentials matter for this role, and naming them on the posting is an effective filter. ASE, from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, is the recognized industry certification; it is voluntary, earned by experience plus exams, and ASE Master Technician status signals top capability across specialty areas. EPA Section 609 certification is different: it is legally required for anyone who services a motor vehicle air conditioning system for payment, the shop must keep training records on site, and operating without it carries real penalties. So if your role touches A/C work, EPA 609 is a requirement, not a nice-to-have, while ASE is the quality signal you can require or prefer. List which ASE areas you want and whether EPA 609 is required, and decide whether you will pay for certification as a hiring incentive. This is general information, not legal advice.
Tools, licenses, and the physical reality belong in the posting
Auto repair has practical requirements that generic templates leave vague and that decide whether the right person applies. Most experienced technicians own their own hand tools, often a substantial investment, so state clearly whether the tech brings their own tools, whether you offer a tool allowance, and what major equipment the shop provides. A valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record are normally required because technicians road test vehicles. The work is physical: standing, bending, lifting, and working around lifts, fluids, and hot components, so state the physical demands and the PPE honestly. Being specific on tools, license, and physical requirements up front sets expectations and screens out mismatches before the interview. This is general information, not legal advice.
Flat-Rate Does Not Cancel Overtime at an Independent Shop
At an independent repair shop, technicians are non-exempt and owed overtime over 40 hours, even on flat-rate pay, because flat-rate does not automatically count as commission under the Fair Labor Standards Act. A franchised dealership may use a separate dealer exemption. Anyone servicing A/C for payment must hold EPA Section 609 certification, and the shop keeps the record three years.
For the underlying rules, the exempt versus non-exempt guide and the Fair Labor Standards Act overview explain the duties tests and overtime. The practical rule: state the pay plan plainly, default an independent-shop tech to non-exempt, track hours even on flat-rate, require EPA 609 for A/C work, and treat ASE as your quality signal.
Skills and Requirements
Automotive technician requirements center on diagnostic and repair skill, certifications, and the practical realities of the trade, scaled to the level of the role. Name the certifications and tool expectations, since they are among the most effective filters for this hire.
Requirement
What to look for
Experience
Entry-level willing to train, up to 5+ years for master roles
Certification
ASE preferred or required; EPA 609 required for any A/C work
License
Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record
Tools
Own basic hand tools, or state the tool allowance you offer
Physical
Able to stand, bend, lift, and work around lifts and fluids
Classification
Non-exempt at an independent shop; confirm by setting and pay plan
Keep every requirement job-related and neutral, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Automotive Technician Pay
Automotive technician pay varies widely by experience, certification, and pay plan, so anchor to the federal median and adjust for the level and your market, then state the pay plan clearly in the posting.
Median $49,670 a Year (BLS)
Automotive service technicians and mechanics had a median annual wage of $49,670 in May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent under $33,660 and the highest 10 percent over $80,850 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The occupation is projected to grow about 4 percent through 2034, with roughly 70,000 openings a year.
Within that range, entry-level and lube technicians earn toward the lower end on straight hourly pay, experienced and ASE-certified technicians earn more and are often on flat-rate, and master technicians can approach or exceed the upper range. National compensation surveys that blend in total pay and dealership roles show higher averages, but the BLS median is the reliable anchor. Set your range for your market, level, and pay plan, and state whether pay is hourly or flat-rate so candidates know what they are applying to.
Hiring for a Small Repair Shop
Auto repair is overwhelmingly small and independent, so the typical buyer of an automotive technician template is a shop owner or service manager, not a corporate HR team. The adjacent roles, the lube technicians who start out and the service advisors who handle customers, share the same hiring reality. Here is what that means for the posting.
Most repair shops are tiny, so the owner writes the job description
Auto repair is dominated by small, independent shops. Around three-quarters of repair shops are independently owned, the average shop runs with only a handful of employees, and roughly 70 percent have fewer than ten. At that scale there is no HR department; the owner or the service manager writes the posting, interviews, and onboards the new technician directly, usually between turning wrenches and running the front counter. The generic automotive technician templates are written for mid-size or dealership operations, down to lines about factory standards and dealership procedures that do not fit an independent shop. The six versions here, especially the independent-shop and small-shop versions, are written for the owner-operated reality: ready to fill in, honest about the pay plan, and built around how a small shop actually hires.
The pay plan and overtime are where small shops get exposed
Three things trip up small auto shops on this hire, and none of them appear in the generic templates. First, the pay plan: flat-rate is common, but a flat-rate technician at an independent shop is still non-exempt and owed overtime, and assuming otherwise is a frequent and costly mistake. Second, the independent-versus-dealership distinction: the dealer FLSA exemption does not apply to an independent shop, so borrowing a dealership posting borrows the wrong assumption. Third, EPA 609: if the tech services A/C, the certification is legally required and the shop must keep records. The templates here build the pay-plan note and the credential prompts in, so a small shop starts from a posting that names the real obligations rather than a generic one that ignores all three.
Hiring the technician is the moment to set up onboarding and the pay plan
An automotive technician handles customer vehicles, repair orders, and a specific pay plan from day one, so onboarding them cleanly matters for both speed and compliance. After the offer, the work is consistent: a signed offer letter that states the pay plan and classification clearly, Form I-9 and tax forms, a written pay-plan disclosure so there is no dispute later, ASE and EPA 609 credentials recorded, a tool and safety policy acknowledged, and a first-week plan. FirstHR fits this for a small shop: e-signature for the offer and pay-plan acknowledgment, an AI onboarding wizard to turn the role into a workflow, training modules with documented completion for safety and hazard handling, task workflows for the hiring checklist, and document management for signed forms and credential records. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a shop-management or estimating system, so pair it with your shop software; it also does not run payroll or administer benefits. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same document becomes the basis for the offer and onboarding, and an automotive technician is a compliance-sensitive hire: they work on a specific pay plan, handle customer vehicles, and may need EPA 609 on file from day one, so a clean, documented start protects the shop.
Send the offer with the pay plan
Confirm the role, the pay plan (hourly or flat-rate), the classification, and start date in writing. An offer letter template makes this fast and clear.
Disclose the pay plan in writing
A written flat-rate or hourly pay-plan disclosure prevents disputes later and documents that the tech understood how pay and overtime work.
Record credentials and train on safety
Record ASE areas and EPA 609 certification, and run safety and hazard handling training with a documented acknowledgment on file.
Store the records
Keep the signed offer, pay-plan disclosure, EPA 609 record (kept on site), tool policy, and training completions organized for compliance.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step with the pay plan and classification stated clearly, and an onboarding template gives the new tech a structured start.
FirstHR connects the offer, the pay-plan disclosure, e-signatures, safety and credential records, and the onboarding workflow in one place so a small shop can run the full process from one system, with the technician's classification, ASE areas, and EPA 609 recorded from day one. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a shop-management system, so pair it with your shop software; it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
Automotive technician and auto mechanic are the same role (SOC 49-3023); use the title your market recognizes.
Use the template that matches the setting: general, independent shop, entry-level, master, dealership, or small shop.
At an independent shop the technician is non-exempt and owed overtime, even on flat-rate pay; flat-rate does not automatically count as commission.
A franchised dealership may use a separate dealer FLSA exemption, so do not borrow a dealership pay assumption for an independent shop.
EPA Section 609 is legally required for any A/C work and the record is kept on site; ASE is the voluntary quality credential.
The BLS median is $49,670 a year, ranging from under $33,660 to over $80,850; state the pay plan clearly in the posting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an automotive technician do?
An automotive technician diagnoses, repairs, and maintains vehicles to manufacturer and safety standards. Day to day, that means diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and computer issues, performing repairs and routine maintenance such as brakes, suspension, and fluid services, using scan tools and diagnostic equipment, documenting findings and work performed on repair orders, road testing to verify repairs, and handling fluids and refrigerant safely. The setting shapes the work: an entry-level or lube technician focuses on oil, tires, and inspections, a general or independent-shop technician works across many makes and models end to end, a master technician handles the most complex diagnostics and mentors others, and a dealership technician works to factory standards on one brand. Automotive technician and auto mechanic describe the same role. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between an automotive technician and an auto mechanic?
There is no real difference; they are the same occupation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies both under automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), and technician, mechanic, service technician, auto technician, and service tech are used interchangeably for the role. Some shops and marketing use technician to suggest more diagnostic and computer-oriented work and mechanic to suggest more hands-on repair, but that is a style preference, not a different job. For a posting, use whichever title your candidates in your market recognize, often technician for a modern, diagnostics-heavy shop and mechanic for a traditional repair shop, and describe the actual work. The templates on this page cover both phrasings, along with car mechanic and automotive service technician. This is general information, not legal advice.
Are automotive technicians exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
It depends on where they work and how they are paid, and this is one of the most misunderstood parts of the role. At an independent repair shop, which is most of the industry, technicians are non-exempt and owed overtime at one and a half times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek, even when paid flat-rate. Flat-rate pay does not automatically count as commission and usually does not exempt the worker from overtime. At a franchised dealership, a mechanic primarily engaged in servicing vehicles may be exempt under a specific dealer exemption in the Fair Labor Standards Act. So the same job title can be non-exempt at an independent shop and exempt at a dealership. Classify by your actual setting and pay plan, track hours even for flat-rate techs, and confirm with a professional. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is flat-rate pay, and does it affect overtime?
Flat-rate pay, also called flag-rate, pays a technician a set amount for each booked or flagged hour assigned to a job, regardless of how long the job actually takes, rather than paying per clock hour. It rewards efficient, experienced techs. The common mistake is assuming flat-rate means no overtime. At an independent shop, a flat-rate technician is non-exempt and still owed overtime for hours worked over 40 in a week, because flat-rate pay does not automatically qualify as commission under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Courts have held that for flat-rate to count as a commission exemption it must meet a strict test tied to what the customer is charged, which most shop pay plans do not satisfy. Track actual hours worked even for flat-rate technicians and pay overtime when earned. This is general information, not legal advice.
Does an automotive technician need ASE certification?
ASE certification is not legally required, but it is the recognized industry credential and a strong quality signal. ASE, from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, is voluntary and earned through experience plus exams, with ASE Master Technician status indicating top capability across multiple specialty areas. As an employer you can require ASE, prefer it, or treat it as a plus, and many shops pay for certification as a hiring and retention incentive. Separately, EPA Section 609 certification is legally required for anyone who services a motor vehicle air conditioning system for payment, and is a true requirement rather than a preference if your role touches A/C work. State on the posting which ASE areas you want, whether EPA 609 is required, and whether you support certification. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is EPA 609 certification required to hire an automotive technician?
EPA Section 609 certification is legally required for any technician who services a motor vehicle air conditioning system for payment, under the Clean Air Act. If your role involves any A/C work, the technician must hold EPA 609 certification, the shop must keep proof of certification on site, and servicing A/C systems for payment without it carries significant penalties. It is separate from EPA 608, which covers stationary equipment. EPA 609 certification does not expire. For hiring, this means you should either require EPA 609 for any A/C-touching role or plan to have the new technician certified before they do that work, and you should keep the certification record in the employee file. If the role never touches A/C, EPA 609 is not required. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does an automotive technician make?
An automotive technician earns a median of about $49,670 a year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent under $33,660 and the highest 10 percent over $80,850. Pay varies widely by experience, certification, region, and pay plan. Entry-level and lube technicians earn toward the lower end on straight hourly pay, experienced and ASE-certified technicians earn more and are often on flat-rate, and master technicians at the top can approach or exceed the upper range. National compensation surveys that blend in total pay and dealership and fleet roles show higher averages, but the BLS median is the reliable anchor for setting a range. Set yours using current data for your market, experience level, and pay plan, and state the pay plan clearly in the posting. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should an automotive technician job description include?
A strong automotive technician job description names the setting up front, whether independent shop, dealership, or specialty, since that shapes the duties and the pay and overtime treatment. Include a job summary, responsibilities grouped into diagnostics, repair and maintenance, documentation, and safety and compliance, and the required experience and certifications. The most valuable additions that generic templates skip are the pay plan stated plainly (hourly or flat-rate), the FLSA classification with the non-exempt caveat for independent shops and the flat-rate overtime note, the ASE and EPA 609 credential requirements, and the practical requirements: own tools or tool allowance, a valid driver's license, and the physical demands. Close with the pay range, an equal opportunity statement, and clear apply instructions. This is general information, not legal advice.
