How to hire an asphalt raker

How to hire an asphalt raker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step asphalt raker 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 raker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new asphalt raker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The asphalt raker 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

   An asphalt raker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, asphalt rakers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of asphalt raker salaries for various roles:

   Type of Asphalt Raker	Description	Hourly rate
   Asphalt Raker	Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.	$11-19

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Asphalt
   • Traffic Control
   • Jack Hammers

   Responsibilities:

   • Work as part of the paving crew primarily raking asphalt, shoveling excess asphalt and sweeping up debris
   • Finish surface by smoothing and tampering asphalt material to the proper grade and thickness to properly adhere material to road surface.
   • Conduct leaf control and clean up in bunkers, fairways, greens, etc.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, asphalt rakers' average salary in louisiana is 44% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level asphalt rakers earn 43% less than senior-level asphalt rakers.
   • Certifications. An asphalt raker 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 raker's salary.

   Average asphalt raker salary

   $14.72hourly

   $30,608 yearly

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   Entry-level asphalt raker salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing an asphalt raker job description

   A job description for an asphalt raker role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an asphalt raker job description:

   Asphalt raker job description example

   100 Years of Experience at Work for You!
   
   Since 1920, the professional men and women of Hubbard Construction have literally paved the way for hundreds of public and private projects that have supported Florida's rise to prominence.
   
   Hubbard is one of Florida's largest heavy civil construction companies. We are proud to be a part of Florida's history and we are eager to continue to serve the Florida market and beyond.
   
   The scope of Hubbard's work includes complex highway projects, site development, paving, utility and drainage systems, surveying, RAP and hot mix sales, and state-of-the-art bridge building. We provide multiple delivery systems in design-build, bid-build, public/private-partnerships and design-build finance.
   
   Hubbard Construction's parent company, Eurovia, operates through a network of 330 agencies and 770 production sites, in 17 countries around the world.
   
   General Description
   
   An Asphalt Raker is an hourly-rated skilled craft position that assists with the application of asphalt on highways/private roadways/parking lots/driveways using handheld tools. Must partner with other crew members to pave roadways per plan specifications and if need be, to perform tasks of other positions as instructed by crew foreman to insure daily schedules/estimates are met.
   
   Key Duties
   
   + Understand and execute paving procedures while following instructions to meet the standards of the project.
   
   + Responsible for the finished product while enforcing proper safety and traffic precautions.
   
   + Prepare road surfaces for hot asphalt material.
   
   + Distribute and rake asphalt material used in construction, repair and resurfacing.
   
   + Finish surfaces by smoothing and tamping asphalt material to the proper grade and thickness to properly adhere material to road surface.
   
   + Repair utility cuts by removing temporary material and replacing with permanent hot asphalt material
   
   + Performs other related duties as assigned .
   
   + Must have a "safety first" attitude. Strict adherence to safety requirements and procedures is required.
   
   + Display a professional and courteous attitude to co-workers, supervisors, and the general public at all times.
   
   + Must be willing to travel and work away from home when required.
   
   + Must be willing to work nights and weekends when necessary.
   
   Qualification Requirements
   
   + General. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each Key Duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
   + Education and Experience. This position typically is not an entry-level job, as it requires demonstrable previous experience as an Asphalt Raker. A high school diploma or general education degree (GED) is preferred. Must be able to understand work directions and communicate effectively with job site supervisors and fellow employees. One to three (1-3) years or more of industry related experience is required for this position, with an emphasis on paving.
   
   + Physical Demands. The following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an Asphalt Raker to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
   
   + Constant physical effort, including standing, is required during a regular work shift of at least eight hours per day. Employee must be able to stand for extended periods of time, and to stoop, bend, and crouch as required to perform Key Duties.
   
   + Ability to lift, on a frequent basis, at least 50 pounds and carry at least 30 pounds personally, and up to 150 pounds with assistance.
   
   + Maintain constant alertness to the multiple concurrent activities of the construction site, including the activities of other employees and contractors, the operation of stationary equipment, and the movement of mobile equipment.
   
   + Frequently walk on uneven surfaces, including natural ground in varying weather conditions.
   
   + The ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds (e.g., moving equipment, backing alarms, or other alarms, instructions/directions from supervisor and/or spotter).
   
   + Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that an Asphalt Raker encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
   
   + Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions.
   
   + Work environment periodically exposes the employees to high asphalt levels of noise and dust that is typically associated with a construction project.
   
   + Employee regularly works near heavy equipment and moving machinery.
   
   + Work may involve a variety of substances commonly found on construction sites such as, grease, gasoline, diesel fuel and hot asphalt mix.
   
   We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. We promote a Drug-Free Workplace.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find asphalt rakers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any asphalt rakers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level asphalt rakers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your asphalt raker job on Zippia to find and attract quality asphalt raker candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting asphalt rakers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 raker

   Once you've decided on a perfect asphalt raker candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new asphalt raker. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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