How to hire a boom operator

How to hire a boom operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step boom operator hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a boom operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A boom operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, boom operators 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of boom operators.

   Type of Boom Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Boom Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$12-27
   Crane Operator	A crane operator's work involves the control of draglines or cranes to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment, and other large objects at industrial or construction sites, ports, surface mines, railway yards, and other similar locations. Their tasks and duties include conducting crane maintenance such as lubricating and cleaning, inspecting cranes, and assembling tower cranes... Show more	$16-39
   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

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Building Materials
   • Boom Truck
   • CDL
   • DOT
   • Audio Equipment
   • Construction Materials
   • Emergency Procedures
   • Grip
   • ADR
   • RAN
   • Sheetrock
   • Aircraft Cargo
   • Sound Equipment
   • Unload Materials

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate various boom cranes to deliver building materials to residential and commercial construction sites.
   • Prepare for rigging and hoisting.
   • Fix cab crane operator and CDL driver dump truck.
   • Make sure all crewmembers are wearing PPE, and also securement of job site
   • Direct activities of workers placing blocks and outriggers to prevent capsizing when lifting heavy loads.
   • Make sure enough spotters or swampers are adequate with the amount of equipment is being run.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, boom operators' average salary in kentucky is 51% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level boom operators earn 56% less than senior-level boom operators.
   • Certifications. A boom 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 a boom operator's salary.

   Average boom operator salary

   $38,499yearly

   $18.51 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level boom operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a boom operator job description

   A job description for a boom operator 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 a boom operator job description:

   Boom operator job description example

   When you join Ledcor you will be part of a team that strives for continuous improvement, gives back to the communities in which we work and supports career growth & development.
   
   Our Fort McMurray Industrial projects are stable and long-term. This means you can plan for your future, whether that means saving for your child's education or your next amazing vacation.
   
   Did we mention camp and travel allowance are provided? Take advantage of this opportunity and apply today.
   
   As a Sideboom Operator you will be an integral part of the Ledcor Industrial team. For you, safety and quality are a priority and you are proud of your work at the end of each day.
   Join the Ledcor team in Fort McMurray today!
   
   Essential Responsibilities:
   Operate 572, 583 and 594 models in order to move pipe/welding/bolt up.Effectively and safely operate hydraulic sidebooms utilizing machine specific controls and machine attachments to complete all necessary tasks.Work effectively and safely in tandem with other sidebooms to transport spools Utilize sideboom in adverse terrain, and tailing pond operations, and exercises extreme caution with awareness of potential situational hazards to ensure site safety.Conduct pre-trip/walk-around safety inspections and completes daily Field Level Hazard Assessments, logs and reports any maintenance concerns with the equipment Performs effective operation of equipment by recognizing unusual machine movements and sounds
   
   Qualifications:
   Previous experience operating sidebooms in a pipeline or industrial environment considered an asset Must be able to interpret capacity chart(s) and identify the rigging requirements Must be able to understand the capacity of each component and the relationships between the length of the boom, length of cable, cable size and load limits Must successfully complete pre-access drug and alcohol testing Must have a valid Driver's License and clear 3-year driver's abstract Must possess valid CSO or BSO certificate Ability to lift up to 50lbs, work at heights, be agile and able to go on/off equipment.
   
   Work Conditions:
   Long term projects, site based camp provided Charter Flights from either Edmonton or Calgary, or travel allowance for out-of-province candidates who qualify Benefits provided by CLAC
   
   Additional Information:
   Company Description
   Ledcor Industrial offers an integrated range of services from construction, engineering, and maintenance to pipe fabrication and module assembly. We offer turnkey solutions to our oil and gas clients and have built some of the continent's largest oil and gas projects.
   
   But when you work for Ledcor, your experience will go far beyond the project. Do you want a career that means more? Join our True Blue team now!
   
   Employment Equity
   At Ledcor we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion should be part of everything we do. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or any other identifying characteristic are encouraged to apply.
   Our True Blue team consists of individuals from all backgrounds who contribute diverse perspectives and experiences to Ledcor. We are committed to continuing to build on our culture of empowerment, inclusion and belonging.
   
   View our full Inclusion & Diversity statement here.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right boom 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 boom operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit boom 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 boom operator job on Zippia to find and recruit boom operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with boom operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 boom operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect boom operator 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new boom operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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