Create a Mechanics Resume
in 5 Simple Steps

  • Step 1: Add Contact Info

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  • Step 2: Include Work Experience Details

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  • Step 3: Provide Education Details

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  • Step 4: Select Your Skills

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  • Step 5: Fill in Your Background

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Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Mechanics Resume

Energize your job search with a mechanics resume that ticks the boxes recruiters and employers want. Build a polished resume with custom phrases specifically developed for the mechanics industry. LiveCareer’s Resume Builder suggests prewritten text from our certified resume writers that convincingly illustrates your expertise.

Use the professionally composed options generated by our resume builder as the foundation for the experience sections to help you stand out from the crowd. Recommended phrases may include:

  • Troubleshot and diagnosed problems with brakes, steering and transmissions.
  • Used specialty equipment, standard tools and gauges to complete assessments and repairs.
  • Blended exterior paints and correctly matched trim colors.
  • Maintained and managed tire and hardware inventory with weekly stock assessments.
  • Preserved orderly and safe work environment by enforcing tool control and foreign object debris (FOD) awareness, prevention and safety at all times.
  • Reduced expenditures by repairing systems and minimizing HVAC equipment maintenance.

8 Do’s and Don’ts for Writing a Mechanics Resume

  • Do mention certifications and special training. For example, “ASE Master Tech automotive technician with 5+ years’ experience” has more impact than “Experienced automotive technician.”
  • Do add measurable achievements. Detail how many appointments you handle weekly or the number of vehicles you service and repair. Use specific metrics and percentages to give quantifiable weight to your skills.
  • Do describe how you contribute to the bottom line. If you upsold automobile parts during a repair or HVAC equipment during an installation, increasing the average sale, this is worth sharing. Provide examples of how you helped improve the profitability or reputation of the employer.
  • Do use brand recognition. Place front and center your expertise with specific engines, HVAC systems or special diagnostic equipment so HR managers and recruiters can locate this info quickly.
  • Don’t forget to add soft skills. If you consult with garage customers or meet with radio parts representatives as part of your job-related tasks, make sure you put this on your resume. Interpersonal abilities indicate your skills extend beyond the technical aspects of a mechanic’s or technician’s duties.
  • Don’t submit the same cover letter and resume to every job post. Tailor each resume with the experience and skill set outlined in the job ad. Tire and lube technician positions often require equal focus on customer service skills, physical strength and teamwork. A diesel mechanic’s resume may highlight responsibilities that include repairing air brake systems and maintaining forklift transmissions. Tweak your resume to focus on the particular qualifications from each job posting.
  • Don’t use a chronological resume format for a new mechanics career. If you are changing careers from, for example, an office job to a technician, a functional resume allows you to highlight the skills that apply to your new career without focusing on past job titles. If you have recently completed the certifications needed for refrigeration technician, for example, focus on the number of hours required to achieve it. And include the appropriate soft skills from your other positions to show your qualifications for this new field.
  • Don’t offer certifications unrelated to a mechanics job. If you have an ATS certification from your time as a tire technician but are now applying for a diesel mechanic job, make sure you list any ASE certifications but leave off the ATS certification. Target each resume for the specific position and company.

Beat the ATS With These Mechanics Resume Skills

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) automate many basic recruiting tasks for organizations, including large corporations and small businesses and federal, state and local agencies. ATS filter job applications based on keywords to ensure employers consider only those resumes with the best matching skills and keywords from the job posting.

To get your resume to pass into the hands of a hiring manager, use keywords throughout that relate to the requirements listed for the job description. LiveCareer’s Resume Builder can help you include the right mix of skills that are in demand for mechanics from a broad range of specialties. Here are some skills our builder might recommend for your resume:

  • Systems troubleshooting.
  • Repairing refrigeration units.
  • Oxygen and aircraft utility systems.
  • Knowledge of aircraft hardware, materials and processes.
  • Operating air compressors.
  • Tire balancing.
  • Brake systems.
  • Fire sprinkler system testing and repair.
  • Schematic diagram interpretation.
  • Fiber optics experience.
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Mechanics Resumes for Every Professional Level

Entry-Level

Mechanic Helper

A functional resume format like this one is ideal for focusing on skills rather than experience. Use this resume format if you have limited experience in the mechanics field. This format places less emphasis on work history, relegating it to the bottom half of the page. Instead, it keeps your qualifications front and center. Put a spotlight on your ability to work effectively from technical diagrams, to complete inspections, and to maintain a safe, clean work area.

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Mid-Career

Aircraft Mechanic

Show off your experience with a combination format resume, such as the resume shown here. This hybrid format lets you focus both on your skills and your extensive work history. Use the Skills section to focus on primary and relevant qualifications that match the job for which you’re applying. Next, transition to the Work History section to highlight the experience that bolsters your skills. By using the combination format, you can build a concise, informative overview of your progression as a mechanic.

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Executive-Level

Master Auto Mechanic

Executive-level candidates should choose a chronological resume format like this one to chart your career and advanced knowledge. Add credibility by using company names, job titles and years of employment. Each job here highlights the depth and breadth of the job seeker’s progress from a new technician to a master mechanic in the field. Accomplishments take center stage in this example, with skills helping illustrate a steady work history. This example brings attention to the job seeker’s more than 10 years of mechanics experience and solid work history.

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Resume Success Stories

Statistics and Facts About Mechanics Jobs

Median Pay By Year and Hour

Yearly

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$40,710 per year
Diesel Mechanics$47,350 per year
HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics/Installers$47,610 per year
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics$63,060 per year
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians$64,330 per year
050K100K

Hourly

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$19.57 per hour
Diesel Mechanics$22.76 per hour
HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics/Installers$22.89 per hour
Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics$30.32 per hour
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians$30.93 per hour
0K2550

Required Education for Entry-Level Position

  • 3

    Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: Postsecondary nondegree education

  • 2

    Diesel Mechanics: High school diploma or the equivalent

  • 1

    HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics/Installers: Postsecondary, nondegree education

  • 2 Layers 2

    Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics: High school diploma or equivalent, plus advanced FAA-approved education and training as well as certifications in specialty areas

  • 3

    Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians: Associate’s degree

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Additional Job Training Required

  • Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: Short-term on-the-job training
  • Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics: None
  • Diesel Mechanics: Long-term on-the-job training
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians: None
  • HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics/Installers: Long-term on-the-job training

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job Outlook (2018–2028)

  • Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
    1% decline
  • Diesel Mechanics
    5% increase
  • HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics/installers
    13%
  • Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics
    3%
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians
    Little to no change
-25%
0
25%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Popular Job Titles

The following are position titles that fall under the general umbrella of mechanics:

  • Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
  • Garage Door Technician
  • Radio Frequency Technician
  • Automotive Service Excellence Master Mechanic
  • Outboard Motor Mechanic
  • HVAC Service Tech
  • Farm Equipment Service Technician

Source: O*Net

Average Age

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics39.0
Diesel Mechanics43.4
Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics/Installers40.4
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians40.1
Electricians40.9
02550

Source: DataUSA

Race/Ethnicity Statistics in the U.S.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

White78.2%
Black7%
Other14.8%
050%100%

Diesel Mechanics

White83.3%
Black6.4%
Other10.3%
050%100%

Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics/Installer

White83.3%
Black6.3%
Other10.6%
050%100%

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

White77.9%
Black9%
Other13.1%
050%100%

Electricians

White81.1%
Black7.6%
Other11.3%
050%100%

States with the Highest Mechanics Job Demands

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Automotive Service Technicians And Mechanics Mobile

Diesel Mechanics

9 Layers

Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics/Installers

Heating Air Conditioning Mobile

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Aircraft Mechanics And Service Technicians Mobile

Electricians

Electricians Mobile

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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