Hiring guide · Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing
How to Hire a Tire Technician
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring tire technicians, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $37,710), recruit through technical college automotive, diesel, aviation and machining programs, verify TIA ATS certification where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for tire technicians
There are about 112,200 tire technicians employed in the U.S., with roughly 12,900 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +3.4% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $30,010–$34,690 | $14.43–$16.68 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $50,230 | $24.15 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Tire mounting
- Reliability
Nice-to-haves
- TIA ATS certification
- TIA commercial tire training
- ASE entry-level
- Experience with tire changers
Where to find tire technicians
- Technical college automotive, diesel, aviation and machining programs
- Manufacturer and dealer training programs
- Military transition and SkillBridge programs
- Manufacturing career fairs and referrals
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Tire Changer, Tire Repairer, Tire Installer, Commercial Tire Technician
Screening checklist
- ASE, FAA A&P, NIMS or other credentials as applicable
- A hands-on diagnostic, measurement or setup test
- Tool inventory for roles where technicians supply tools
- Safety record and lockout/tagout knowledge
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Have you mounted tires?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “How do you torque wheels?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
3. “Can you work Saturdays?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
4. “How do you stay safe?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
5. “Why tires?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Repair a Tire Puncture Correctly (see the steps)
- Torque Lug Nuts in a Star Pattern (see the steps)
- Read a Tire DOT Date Code (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Bead, TPMS, Balancing
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Tire Technician 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Tire Technician training. Show them the path forward: Tire Technician → Lead Tire Tech → Service Technician → Shop Manager.
Hiring tire technicians: FAQ
How much should I pay a tire technician?
The U.S. median wage for tire technicians is $37,710 per year ($18.13/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($34,690), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($45,300). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a tire technician have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for TIA ATS certification and TIA commercial tire training where relevant, plus skills such as tire mounting, wheel balancing, and puncture repair.
How long does it take to train a new tire technician?
Becoming qualified typically takes A few weeks on the job. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”