ETS Jobs

Who Hires Technicians with Basic ETS Training

"ETS jobs" almost always means one thing in the off-road tire world: an employer wants proof that a technician has been through Tire Industry Association (TIA) documented training before they're allowed near a loader tire, a haul truck rim, or a hydraulic bead breaker. Basic Earthmover Tire Service is a 200-level Certificate of Completion, and it's the credential that shows up on job postings for service truck techs, yard technicians at OTR tire dealers, and entry-level hires at mining and quarry operations.

Because TIA describes Basic-level training as designed for both new-hire orientation and experienced technicians who need documented training, it functions as a hiring filter in two directions. It gives new applicants a way to show they already understand shop safety and basic procedures before day one, and it gives employers a paper trail (and a wallet ID card) proving that veteran techs have been formally trained rather than just picking things up on the job. If you're mapping out what this credential actually covers before you start applying, the ETS Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 15 Content Areas breaks down every module in more depth.

What the Job Actually Looks Like

Day-to-day work tied to Basic ETS training centers on servicing earthmover tires, rims, and valves on and off the machine. That includes running a service truck to a job site, setting up safely around heavy equipment, breaking beads with hydraulic tools, and reassembling one-piece, three-piece, five-piece, and double-gutter rim systems correctly. None of this is generic "tire changer" work - it's built specifically around the equipment and rim configurations found in mining, construction, and quarry fleets.

Common employer types include:

• OTR and earthmover tire dealers running service trucks
• Mining and aggregate operations with in-house tire departments
• Heavy equipment dealerships offering tire service as an add-on
• Independent field-service contractors serving multiple job sites

If you're weighing whether this kind of role and training investment makes sense for your career, Is the ETS Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 walks through the trade-offs in more detail.

How the 15 Modules Map to Real Job Tasks

The Basic ETS course/exam scope is defined by 15 unweighted official modules rather than a weighted blueprint. That matters for job readiness: employers aren't expecting you to be strongest in three "high-value" areas and weak elsewhere - they expect functional competence across the whole list, because each module corresponds to something a service truck technician does in the field.

Because it's such a procedural, hands-on list, many candidates find it helpful to see the exact wording and sequencing of each module before scheduling their exam - the complete domains guide is a good companion to your training materials.

Getting Trained Before You Apply

Training is delivered through TIA Online University or in person using videos, workbooks, and paper exams. The Online University path is self-paced and includes videos, knowledge checks, a final exam, and a skills-demonstration form, and it lets administrators monitor a technician's progress and test results - useful for employers onboarding several hires at once.

Published training-material pricing (not a standalone exam registration fee) looks like this:

Note that both Online University options also require full headquarters membership plus a $20 annual per-location membership fee, and either subscription allows unlimited technicians at that location - a detail worth understanding if you're comparing options as an employer rather than an individual candidate. Shipping and handling are additional on physical kits. For a full breakdown of every line item, see ETS Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.

Career Path: Basic ETS to Certified ETS 300/400

Basic ETS is deliberately entry- and mid-level. Basic CTS and Basic ETS serve as prerequisites for the separate Certified ETS 300/400 pathway, which is intended for experienced OTR technicians rather than new hires. If your job goal is to move from a general service truck role into a more senior OTR specialist position, Basic ETS is the documented starting point, but it is not the same credential and doesn't carry the two-year online recertification rule that applies to the Certified 300/400 track. Understanding this distinction matters for job seekers, because postings sometimes list "ETS certified" loosely - always confirm whether an employer means the Basic 200-level Certificate of Completion or the separate Certified 300/400 credential before assuming your training satisfies the requirement. Employers and candidates unsure of the exact eligibility rules at each level should check ETS Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.

Mine Site Jobs and MSHA Refresher Training

A notable slice of ETS-adjacent jobs sit at mine sites, where federal rules add another layer. For miners covered by MSHA Part 46, 30 CFR 46.8 requires at least eight hours of annual refresher training. In that context, TIA describes eight hours of refresher instruction followed by testing that results in an updated Certificate of Completion and wallet ID card. If you're applying to a mining or aggregate operation, expect this annual refresher cycle to be a standing part of the job, separate from any universal Basic ETS expiration date, CEU requirement, or the Certified ETS recertification cycle - those don't apply to this Basic scope.

Pay Context and Hiring Outlook

There's no OTR-specific or Basic ETS-specific wage data published by TIA, so be cautious of any site claiming a precise "certified salary premium." The closest broad benchmark available is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' general occupational data for tire repairers and changers, which reported a May 2025 median annual wage of $37,710. That figure covers the wider tire repair and changing occupation nationally - it is not specific to off-road/earthmover technicians, not specific to Basic ETS holders, and it is not evidence that the certificate itself raises pay. Use it only as general context for the broader trade, not as a promise tied to this credential. For a fuller, honest look at how training and pay might connect, see ETS Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis.

What employers actually screen for in job postings tends to be more concrete than wage data: documented completion of the 15 modules, comfort with service truck operation, and familiarity with the rim and fastening systems used on the equipment they run. That's the practical, verifiable signal Basic ETS training sends to a hiring manager.

A Focused Prep Timeline Before You Apply

If you're studying for the final exam while job hunting, sequence your review around the procedural weight of the modules rather than spreading effort evenly by day count. Here's one way to structure a short runway before you sit the exam or start a new role that requires it.

For structured question practice across all 15 modules, run through sets on the main practice test platform before exam day, and pair that with the ETS Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt for a fuller study plan. If you want a quick-reference sheet to review the morning of your exam, the ETS Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts condenses the must-know points from all 15 modules.

Frequently Asked Questions