How to hire an asphalt plant operator

How to hire an asphalt plant operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step asphalt plant operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an asphalt plant operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new asphalt plant operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The asphalt plant operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect asphalt plant operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of asphalt plant operators.

   Type of Asphalt Plant Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Asphalt Plant Operator		$14-26
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25
   Plant Operator	A plant operator's primary role is to supervise and oversee operations in an industrial setting. They are responsible for controlling machinery and equipment, coordinating with fellow officers, monitoring the quality of progress among a particular unit or department, and maintaining daily operations records... Show more	$15-26

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Asphalt
   • Plant Equipment
   • Loaders
   • Plant Maintenance
   • Plant Production
   • Hand Tools
   • CDL
   • OSHA
   • Load Trucks
   • End Loaders
   • Plant Operations
   • Equipment Maintenance
   • MSHA
   • Computer System

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
   • Skil in operating finish rollers, loaders, skid loaders, forklifts and road brooms.
   • Operate equipment require for asphalt production.
   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
   • Work in wet cast setting up products and also setting up special orders, and run over head cranes.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your asphalt plant operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An asphalt plant operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, asphalt plant operators' average salary in alabama is 28% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level asphalt plant operators earn 44% less than senior-level asphalt plant operators.
   • Certifications. An asphalt plant operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an asphalt plant operator's salary.

   Average asphalt plant operator salary

   $41,574yearly

   $19.99 hourly rate

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   Entry-level asphalt plant operator salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing an asphalt plant operator job description

   A good asphalt plant operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an asphalt plant operator job description:

   Asphalt plant operator job description example

   Building a career at Granite may be the most valuable thing you could do...
   Are you interested in the opportunity to work for an industry-leading company that will give you the experience and exposure you need to build your career and personal brand? If so, then you've come to the right place!
   
   General Summary
   Come join Granite's growing Materials Group in beautiful Eastern Washington! We are looking for a few Plant Operators! The Asphalt Plant Operator is responsible for safely starting up and operating a hot mix asphalt plant to maintain production goals; perform repairs and maintenance as needed.
   
   Essential Job Accountabilities
   Safety start-up and shut down hot plant.Adjust controls to regulate flow of materials to and from conveyors, chutes, pumps, mixing and storage bins.Ensure the plant is operating at the proper temperature(s).Perform inspections of equipment, tools, site, and material.Perform general maintenance and repair on plant, machinery, and/or equipment as required. Operate mobile equipment including but no limited to front end loader, skid steer, forklift, and dozer as needed. Load mix and other aggregate materials into haul trucks and/or bins. Collaborate with Quality Control personnel to ensure that mix is produced to required specification.Complete various reports including but not limited to daily plant production and inventory reports. Communicate effectively with internal and external customers. Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental regulations. Perform other duties as required.
   
   Education
   High School Diploma or equivalency
   
   Work Experience
   1-3 years of experience operating a hot mix plant.Experience with ASTEC controls or other asphalt mixing systems, preferred.Experience operating mobile equipment, preferred.Basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic skills, preferred.
   
   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
   Knowledge of hot mix asphalt business and operations. Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical and electrical problems. Ability to wear a full body harness and work at heights while tied off.Ability to work, day, swing, and night shifts (occasionally extended hours).Ability to work in constant exposure to outside elements, in all weather conditions.Ability to work in safety sensitive construction setting, including exposure to moving machinery and heavy equipment.Ability to work collaboratively with a team in a fast-paced and complex environment.Ability to communicate effectively.Ability to squat, crawl, and work in awkward positions/confined spaces.Ability to obtain an MSHA Part 46 certificate as required for the job.
   
   Physical Demands
   Physical dexterity, stamina, and excellent hand-eye coordination with ability to: grasp, assemble, and lift objects, stand, sit, and walk for extended periods over uneven surfaces, squat, bend, climb ladders onto equipment or other objects, and potentially lie down.Lifting, pushing, pulling of heavy items weighing up to 80 lbs. or more.
   
   Additional Requirements/Skills
   Ability to understand and comply with MSHA rules and regulations.Comply, understand, and support corporate safety initiatives to ensure a safe work environment.Ability and willingness to abide by Granite's Code of Conduct daily.
   
   About Granite Construction IncorporatedGranite Construction Incorporated is a member of the S&P 400 Index and is the parent company of Granite Construction Company, one of the nation's largest heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers. Granite Construction is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities and a Drug-Free Workplace. For additional information on applicant/employee rights please click here.Notice to Staffing AgenciesGranite Construction, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Granite") will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Granite, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Granite mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Granite employees, or to Granite's resume database will be considered Granite property. Granite will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Granite will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Granite's recruiting function to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully-executed contract for service and in response to a specific job opening. Granite will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have such agreement in place. Agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Granite's Human Resources Representative or his/ her designee. No other Granite employee is authorized to bind Granite to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by Agencies.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right asphalt plant operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with asphalt plant operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit asphalt plant operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your asphalt plant operator job on Zippia to find and recruit asphalt plant operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit asphalt plant operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new asphalt plant operator

   Once you've found the asphalt plant operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new asphalt plant operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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