6 free templates for independent tire and auto shops, with the OSHA training, certification, and pay-structure language generic templates leave out. Download as DOCX.
A tire technician is a core hire for any tire shop, auto-service center, or quick-lube business, and for most independent shops the owner or service manager writes the posting directly. The trouble with the job descriptions you find online is that they are thin, generic, and skip the three things that actually matter in this trade: the OSHA training that truck-tire work legally requires, the certifications worth tracking, and the pay-structure choice that quietly creates overtime liability. This page covers all three, with templates by role and level.
At FirstHR, we build for small, independent shops making this hire without a dedicated HR department. The six templates below cover the standard tire technician, an entry-level will-train version, a lube-and-tire combo, a commercial and fleet version, a mobile and roadside role, and a senior or lead technician. Each is ready to use: fill in the brackets and post. For the fundamentals, the guide to writing a job description covers the basics, and the small-business hiring guide puts this hire in context.
TL;DR
Six free tire technician job description templates: Standard, Entry-Level / Will-Train, Lube & Tire, Commercial / Fleet, Mobile / Roadside, and Senior / Lead. The role is hourly and non-exempt, and flat-rate or commission pay does not automatically remove overtime. Commercial tire work requires documented OSHA 29 CFR 1910.177 training. Pay anchor: median about $37,120/year ($17.85/hour) (BLS, tire repairers and changers, May 2024). Download as DOCX.
What Is a Tire Technician?
A tire technician mounts, dismounts, balances, rotates, and repairs tires, inspects tires and wheels, services TPMS sensors, and keeps the work safe and the customer informed. It is a hands-on, physical trade with steady demand, and it is an entry point into automotive service that often does not require prior experience or a degree.
It is also a distinct, narrower role from a full mechanic. The federal occupation is tire repairers and changers (SOC 49-3093), separate from automotive service technicians and mechanics, who diagnose and repair the whole vehicle and earn more. For the shop owner writing the posting, two things matter most: matching the template to the kind of tire work you do, since commercial truck work carries legal training requirements that car-tire work does not, and getting the pay and classification right, since this is a non-exempt role and flat-rate pay does not change that.
Tire Technician Duties and Responsibilities
Tire technician duties cluster into four areas: tire service, inflation and TPMS, safety and compliance, and shop and customer. A strong job description picks the specific responsibilities from each area that match your shop rather than listing every possible task. These are the duties grouped the way the templates use them.
Tire service
Mount, dismount, and balance tires
Rotate tires and repair punctures
Inspect tread, wear, and damage
Inflation and TPMS
Inflate tires to the correct PSI
Service and reset TPMS sensors
Recommend repair or replacement
Safety and compliance
Follow all safety procedures
Use required PPE consistently
Maintain rim-servicing proficiency
Shop and customer
Keep the bay and tools clean
Maintain accurate service records
Explain work clearly to customers
The emphasis shifts by role: a commercial tech leans into rim wheel servicing and heavy tires, a mobile tech into independent on-site work, and a lube-and-tire tech adds routine maintenance. 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 the kind of tire work your shop does and the level you need. The core structure is the same across all six, but each emphasizes the responsibilities, environment, and compliance that fit a specific kind of role. Use this guide to choose the closest fit, then adjust.
Tire Technician (Standard)
The core version
Mount, dismount, balance, rotate, and repair tires on cars and light trucks, with TPMS service and inspections. For a shop hiring a general tire tech.
Entry-Level / Will-Train
No experience needed
For a reliable, safety-minded new hire you will train from the basics. Aptitude and attitude over experience, with a path to certification.
Lube & Tire Technician
Tires plus maintenance
Combines tire service with oil changes, fluids, and inspections. For a quick-lube or service-and-tire shop that wants one tech who does both.
Commercial / Truck / Fleet
Large-vehicle tires
Services truck, trailer, bus, and fleet tires, including rim wheel work. Requires documented OSHA 1910.177 training as a condition of the job.
Mobile / Roadside
Service on location
Drives a service vehicle to customers and roadside, working independently. For a mobile tire business or a shop adding on-site service.
Senior / Lead
Expert and mentor
For an experienced tech who handles complex work, mentors junior staff, and upholds safety standards. Often the path from a certified technician.
Match the Template to the Work
A general shop servicing cars and light trucks: Standard. A new hire you will train: Entry-Level. A quick-lube or service-and-tire shop: Lube & Tire. Truck, trailer, bus, or fleet tires: Commercial, which carries the OSHA documented-training requirement. On-site or roadside service: Mobile. An experienced tech who mentors and handles complex work: Senior / Lead. Every version is non-exempt and hourly; if you pay flat-rate or commission, read the FLSA section before you set pay.
6 Free Tire Technician Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: shop summary, job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, the FLSA classification, pay, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. The commercial template adds a safety-and-compliance note. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
Standard, entry-level, lube & tire, commercial/fleet, mobile/roadside, and senior/lead. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Tire Technician (Standard)
The core version: mount, dismount, balance, rotate, and repair tires on cars and light trucks, with TPMS service and inspections. For a shop hiring a general tire tech.
Tire Technician Job Description (Standard)
TIRE TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: __ (Shop Manager / Service Manager)
Employment type: Full-time, W-2 employee
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly, overtime-eligible); confirm pay structure (see notes)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
ABOUT [SHOP NAME]
[One or two sentences about your shop, the vehicles you service, and the team
this person will join.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Shop Name] is hiring a Tire Technician to mount, dismount, balance, rotate, and
repair tires safely and efficiently. You will inspect tires and wheels,
recommend repair or replacement, service TPMS sensors, and keep the bay clean
and safe while delivering a good customer experience.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Mount, dismount, and balance tires on cars and light trucks
•Rotate tires and inspect tread, wear, and damage
•Repair punctures per industry-accepted procedures
•Inflate tires to the correct PSI and reset TPMS sensors
•Inspect wheels and recommend repair or replacement
•Follow all safety procedures and use required PPE
•Keep the work area, tools, and equipment clean and in order
•Provide clear, courteous service and explain work to customers
•Maintain accurate records of work performed
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Ability to safely lift and maneuver tires and equipment
•Reliable, safety-minded, and detail-oriented
•Comfortable on your feet for full shifts in a shop environment
•Valid driver's license [if moving vehicles]
•High school diploma or equivalent preferred, not required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (NOT REQUIRED)
•Prior tire or automotive shop experience
•TIA or ASE certification, or willingness to certify
•Familiarity with mounting, balancing, and TPMS equipment
For a reliable, safety-minded new hire with no experience and paid training. Aptitude and attitude over experience, with a clear path to certification and higher pay.
[Company Name] is hiring a Mobile Tire Technician to provide tire service at
customer locations and roadside. You will drive a service vehicle to each job,
mount, dismount, balance, and repair tires on site, and deliver fast, safe,
professional service wherever the customer is.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Drive a service vehicle to customer and roadside locations
•Mount, dismount, balance, and repair tires on site
•Diagnose tire issues and recommend repair or replacement
•Inflate to correct PSI and service TPMS sensors
•Set up safe work zones at roadside and on location
•Maintain the service vehicle, tools, and inventory
•Follow all safety procedures and use required PPE
•Process service orders and payments in the field
•Provide professional, courteous customer service
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Tire service experience preferred
•Clean driving record and valid driver's license
•Self-directed and comfortable working independently
•Strong customer service and problem-solving skills
•Able to work outdoors and lift tires in all conditions
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (NOT REQUIRED)
•TIA or ASE certification
•Mobile or roadside service experience
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour [+ benefits]
To apply, [apply in person at / email] __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 6: Senior / Lead Tire Technician
For an experienced tech who handles complex work, mentors junior staff, and upholds safety standards in the bay. Often the path from a certified technician.
Senior / Lead Tire Technician Job Description
SENIOR / LEAD TIRE TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: __ (Shop / Service Manager)
Employment type: Full-time, W-2 employee
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly, overtime-eligible); confirm pay structure (see notes)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Shop Name] is hiring a Senior Tire Technician to handle the most complex tire
work, mentor junior techs, and help keep the shop safe and efficient. You will
service all tire types, lead by example on quality and safety, and serve as a
go-to expert in the bay.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Service all tire types, including complex and commercial jobs
•Diagnose difficult tire and wheel issues
•Mentor and train junior and entry-level technicians
•Help maintain rim wheel servicing training and proficiency
•Uphold safety standards and PPE compliance in the bay
•Manage workflow and quality during busy periods
•Handle escalated or high-value customer situations
•Maintain equipment and recommend tooling needs
•Keep accurate records and support inventory
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•[3-5+] years of tire or automotive service experience
•Expert mounting, balancing, repair, and TPMS skills
•Experience mentoring or leading other technicians
•Strong safety record and procedure knowledge
•Valid driver's license
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (NOT REQUIRED)
•TIA Automotive (ATS) or Commercial (CTS) certification
•ASE certification
•Experience leading a shop or bay team
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour [+ benefits]
To apply, [apply in person at / email] __.
[Shop Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
What to Include in a Tire Technician Job Description
Every strong tire technician job description includes the same core sections. The templates above are built around them, so you can fill in the blanks, but it helps to know what each one is for.
Section
What it covers
Job title
A clear title matched to the role: tire, lube & tire, commercial, mobile
Shop overview
One or two lines on your shop and the vehicles you service
Job summary
Two or three sentences on the tire work involved
Key responsibilities
8 to 10 duties across service, TPMS, safety, and shop
Qualifications
Experience level, with TIA and ASE listed as preferred
Physical demands
Lifting tires, standing for shifts: state these honestly
Classification and pay
Non-exempt, with the pay structure (hourly, flat-rate) stated
Compliance note
For commercial work, the OSHA 1910.177 training requirement
Keep the language neutral and inclusive throughout. 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.
OSHA, Certification, and Pay: What Generic Templates Skip
This is where a tire technician job description for a real shop differs from a copy-paste template. Three issues, OSHA training, certification, and pay structure, are specific to this trade, and the generic templates leave all three out. Getting them right protects your shop.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.177: documented rim wheel training
If your shop services truck, trailer, bus, or other large-vehicle tires, OSHA requires you to provide a documented training program for every employee who services rim wheels, and to verify that each one can do the work safely. The standard covers both multi-piece and single-piece rim wheels on large vehicles; it does not apply to ordinary automobile tires. A truck tire can exert enormous force, and an improperly seated rim component can separate explosively, which is why the training and a restraining device are mandatory, not optional. The generic templates skip this entirely. The commercial template above names the requirement directly, so the new hire understands training is a condition of the job and your shop has the paper trail OSHA expects.
TIA and ASE certification tracking
Two credentials matter in this trade. The Tire Industry Association offers the trade-specific programs, Automotive Tire Service (ATS) and Commercial Tire Service (CTS), which are built around safe tire and rim servicing and require recertification every two years. ASE is the broader, recognized automotive credential. For a small shop, the practical job is not just preferring these on a posting but tracking who holds what and when it expires, since a lapsed commercial certification is a safety and liability problem. List certifications as preferred rather than required so you do not shrink your candidate pool, and keep the records and renewal dates somewhere reliable.
Pay structure and the FLSA overtime trap
Tire and auto shops often pay flat-rate, flag-rate, or commission instead of straight hourly, and this is where small shops get into trouble. A tire technician is non-exempt and owed overtime unless a specific exemption applies. The retail or service establishment exemption under FLSA Section 7(i) is narrow: it requires that the shop qualifies as a retail or service establishment, that the regular rate exceeds one and one-half times the minimum wage, and that more than half of earnings in a representative period come from commissions. Flat-rate pay does not automatically meet the commission test, and courts have ordered shops to pay back overtime to flat-rate techs. State your pay structure clearly in the offer, keep hours and earnings records, and confirm classification with an employment advisor. This is general information, not legal advice.
Flat-Rate Pay Does Not Remove Overtime
The most common and costly mistake small shops make is assuming flat-rate or commission pay makes a tire technician exempt from overtime. It does not, unless all three conditions of the FLSA Section 7(i) retail or service exemption are met, and flat-rate pay frequently fails the commission test. Review DOL Fact Sheet #20, keep accurate hours and earnings records, state your pay structure in the offer, and confirm classification with an employment advisor. The exempt versus non-exempt guide and the FLSA overview explain the rules in plain terms.
Tire Technician Pay
Tire technicians are paid hourly, often with flat-rate or commission elements, and pay varies by region, experience, and tire type. Anchor your range to the federal occupation, then adjust for your shop and the work involved.
Median $37,120 a Year (BLS)
The federal occupation, tire repairers and changers, had a median wage of $37,120 a year, or about $17.85 an hour, in May 2024, with about 113,400 employed nationally (O*NET / BLS). National compensation surveys put the average near $37,000, with a typical range from the low $30,000s to the high $40,000s. Commercial and truck tire technicians tend to earn more, given the heavier work and required training.
Entry-level techs commonly start in the mid-teens per hour, while commercial, mobile, and senior roles command more. For comparison, full automotive service technicians and mechanics, a separate and higher-skilled role, had a median wage of $49,670 a year in May 2024, which is why you should not pay or post a tire technician role as if it were a mechanic. Set your range using current market data for your area, and remember that overtime applies for hours over 40 in a week whether you pay hourly or flat-rate.
Hiring a Tire Technician for a Small Shop
A big-box auto center or dealership chain hires tire techs into an established system with safety programs and HR already in place. An independent tire shop or small service center makes this hire directly, and faces the same compliance the big chains handle with whole departments, just without those departments. The good news is that the work is manageable once you know what to handle.
Three things deserve attention. First, the physical demands and safety are real, so train before a new tech works unsupervised and document it, especially for any commercial tire work covered by OSHA. Second, decide your pay structure deliberately, since hourly is simplest and flat-rate or commission carries the overtime risk covered above. Third, this is an onboarding-heavy, turnover-prone role, so a repeatable process pays off: a signed offer, the I-9 and tax forms, a safety-policy acknowledgment, recorded certifications, and a structured first 90 days. FirstHR fits this for an independent shop, with e-signature for the offer and safety sign-off, task workflows for onboarding, training modules and document management for safety and certification records, and an HRIS to track certification expiry. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a shop-management or payroll system, so pair it with those tools. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
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 for a tire technician one part matters more than usual: safety training has to come before the new tech works unsupervised, and for commercial work that training is legally required and must be documented.
Send the offer
Confirm the role, hourly pay, and pay structure in writing, and state the classification clearly to reduce FLSA risk. An offer letter template makes this fast.
Run safety training first
Provide and document tire-service and, for commercial work, rim wheel training before the tech works unsupervised, with a signed safety-policy acknowledgment.
Track certifications
Record TIA or ASE certifications and their two-year renewal dates so nothing lapses, and store the training documents where you can find them.
Structure the first 90 days
Set clear milestones from supervised work to independent service, with a probationary check-in, so a new tech ramps up safely and predictably.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step and lets you state the pay structure clearly, an onboarding template gives the new hire a structured start, and a training plan template covers the safety and skills ramp. FirstHR connects the offer, paperwork, e-signatures, safety acknowledgments, certification records, and the onboarding workflow in one place, so an independent shop can manage the full process from one system. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a shop-management or payroll tool, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
A tire technician mounts, balances, rotates, and repairs tires; it is a distinct, more entry-level role than a full automotive mechanic.
The role is non-exempt and owed overtime, and flat-rate or commission pay does not automatically remove that obligation under FLSA Section 7(i).
Commercial and truck tire work requires documented OSHA 29 CFR 1910.177 training for anyone servicing rim wheels.
Track TIA and ASE certifications and their two-year renewals; list them as preferred, not required, for most roles.
The pay anchor, tire repairers and changers, had a median of about $37,120 a year ($17.85/hour) in May 2024, below the $49,670 mechanic median.
Match the template to the work: standard, entry-level, lube & tire, commercial, mobile, or senior, since each carries different duties and compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a tire technician do?
A tire technician mounts, dismounts, balances, rotates, and repairs tires on vehicles. Day to day, that means inspecting tires and wheels for tread wear and damage, recommending repair or replacement, repairing punctures using industry-accepted procedures, inflating tires to the correct PSI, servicing and resetting tire pressure monitoring (TPMS) sensors, and keeping the work area clean and safe. Most tire technicians also provide customer service, explaining the work and any recommendations. The exact scope varies by shop: a general shop handles cars and light trucks, a commercial operation services truck and fleet tires with rim wheel work, and a quick-lube-and-tire shop pairs tire service with oil changes and inspections. Across all of them, the core is safe, efficient tire service, since a tire failure or an improperly serviced rim wheel can cause serious injury.
Is a tire technician the same as an automotive technician?
No, they are different roles, and it matters when you write the posting and set pay. A tire technician focuses specifically on tires: mounting, balancing, rotating, repairing, and inspecting them, a narrower and more entry-level role. An automotive service technician, or mechanic, diagnoses and repairs the whole vehicle, engines, brakes, electrical, and complex systems, usually with deeper training and ASE certification. The federal data reflects the gap: tire repairers and changers had a median wage of about 37,120 dollars a year in May 2024, while automotive service technicians and mechanics had a median of 49,670 dollars. If you need someone to service tires, hire and pay for a tire technician; if you need full diagnostic and repair work, you are hiring a mechanic, which is a separate, higher-paid role with its own job description.
Is a tire technician exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A tire technician is a non-exempt role, meaning entitled to overtime for hours over 40 in a workweek. The complication is pay structure: many tire and auto shops pay flat-rate, flag-rate, or commission rather than straight hourly, and some assume that makes the role exempt. It usually does not. The retail or service establishment exemption under FLSA Section 7(i) is narrow and requires three things: the shop qualifies as a retail or service establishment, the regular rate exceeds one and one-half times the minimum wage, and more than half of the employee's earnings in a representative period come from commissions. Flat-rate pay does not automatically satisfy the commission test, and courts have ordered shops to pay back overtime to flat-rate technicians. State your pay structure clearly, keep hours and earnings records, and confirm classification with an employment advisor. This is general information, not legal advice.
What OSHA training does a tire technician need?
It depends on the tires. For ordinary automobile and light-truck tires, the specific rim wheel standard does not apply, though general shop safety and PPE always do. For shops that service truck, trailer, bus, or other large-vehicle tires, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.177 requires the employer to provide a documented training program for every employee who services rim wheels, covering the hazards and safe procedures for both multi-piece and single-piece rims, and to verify that each employee can perform the work safely. This is a real legal requirement, not a best practice: a large truck tire holds enormous pressure, and an improperly serviced rim wheel can separate explosively. If your shop does any commercial or truck tire work, build the documented training into onboarding and keep the records. The commercial template on this page names this requirement directly.
What certifications should a tire technician have?
The two relevant credentials are TIA and ASE. The Tire Industry Association offers trade-specific certifications, Automotive Tire Service (ATS) and Commercial Tire Service (CTS), which are built around safe tire and rim servicing and require recertification every two years; the commercial certification also helps satisfy OSHA's documented-training expectation for rim wheel work. ASE is the broader, widely recognized automotive credential. For most tire technician roles, list these as preferred rather than required, since the skills can be taught on the job and requiring a certification upfront shrinks your candidate pool for an entry-level trade. Where they matter most is commercial and senior roles. The practical task for a small shop is tracking who holds which certification and when it expires, so nothing lapses, especially for commercial work where a current certification is a safety and liability issue.
How much does a tire technician make?
Tire technicians are paid hourly, with pay varying by region, experience, and the type of tires they service. The federal occupation, tire repairers and changers, had a median wage of about 37,120 dollars a year, or 17.85 dollars an hour, in May 2024, with about 113,400 employed nationally. National compensation surveys put the average near 37,000 dollars a year, with a typical range from the low 30,000s to high 40,000s, and commercial or truck tire technicians tend to earn more, often in the low-to-mid 20s per hour, given the heavier work and the certification and training involved. Entry-level techs start lower, frequently in the mid-teens per hour. Set your range using current market data for your area and the tire work involved, and remember that as a non-exempt role, overtime applies for hours over 40 in a week regardless of whether you pay hourly or flat-rate.
Does a small tire shop need a written job description?
Yes, and it does more than help you hire. For a small independent shop, a written job description sets clear expectations for the role, gives you a consistent basis for evaluating applicants, and becomes the foundation for the offer letter, onboarding, and the signed safety-policy acknowledgment. For this trade specifically, it is also where you document the things that protect the shop: that the role requires safe procedures and PPE, that commercial work requires documented rim wheel training, and what the pay structure is. A clear, honest posting that names the certification path and pay structure attracts better candidates and reduces disputes later. The templates on this page are written for exactly this, an independent shop owner or manager hiring directly, with the compliance language built in rather than left out.
What should a tire technician job description include?
A strong tire technician job description names your shop and the vehicles you service, includes a short job summary, and groups responsibilities into tire service, inflation and TPMS, safety and compliance, and shop and customer duties. State the experience level, with certifications like TIA and ASE listed as preferred, and be clear about the FLSA classification, non-exempt with overtime, and your pay structure, whether hourly, flat-rate, or commission. For commercial or truck work, name the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.177 documented-training requirement directly. Note the physical demands honestly, lifting tires and standing for full shifts, since they are real. Close with an equal opportunity statement and clear apply instructions. The most useful thing generic templates skip is the compliance language: OSHA training, certification tracking, and pay structure. This is general information, not legal advice.
