How to hire a cell operator

How to hire a cell operator, step by step

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

What does a cell operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The cell 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

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

   Here's a comparison of cell operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Cell Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Cell Operator		$14-21
   Manufacturing Operator	A manufacturing operator is primarily responsible for overseeing and controlling the performance of machines and equipment, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring production operations, conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of machinery, performing corrective measures and adjustments as needed, and assessing the quality of finished products, all while adhering to deadlines and goals... Show more	$12-20
   Handle Machine Operator	A handle machine operator is responsible for operating production machines, conducting preventive maintenance, and ensuring optimal performance to prevent delays in orders or project deliverables. Handle machine operators analyze schematics and blueprints, inspect components for inconsistencies, replace defective parts, and upgrade systems as needed for higher operational efficiency... Show more	$11-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Math
   • Quality Standards
   • CNC
   • Calipers
   • Micrometers
   • Safety Procedures
   • Lean Manufacturing
   • Light Fixtures
   • Safety Regulations
   • Jigs
   • Cell Culture
   • Test Results
   • Machine Operation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Work with QC on parts.
   • Capture torque data for SPC charts.
   • Read and implement PC (product criteria).
   • Work with engineering to make specialty repair parts for hoists.
   • Adjust CNC machines as needed to ensure that parts are made to spec.
   • Assist in editing CNC programs and develop new part setups and tooling while working closely with manufacturing engineers.

   More cell operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your cell operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A cell operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a cell operator in Arkansas may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level cell operator usually earns less than a senior-level cell operator. Additionally, a cell operator with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average cell operator salary

   $37,866yearly

   $18.20 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level cell operator salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average cell operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$45,104	$22
   2	Massachusetts	$44,684	$21
   3	New York	$44,283	$21
   4	Connecticut	$42,741	$21
   5	Minnesota	$42,109	$20
   6	Missouri	$41,611	$20
   7	California	$40,261	$19
   8	Illinois	$40,159	$19
   9	Oregon	$39,143	$19
   10	Ohio	$39,006	$19
   11	Wisconsin	$38,360	$18
   12	New Jersey	$37,676	$18
   13	South Carolina	$36,931	$18
   14	Pennsylvania	$36,900	$18
   15	Kansas	$36,769	$18
   16	Georgia	$35,763	$17
   17	Colorado	$35,192	$17
   18	Michigan	$34,084	$16
   19	Kentucky	$33,673	$16

   Average cell operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Cummins	$46,087	$22.16	2
   2	Bristol-Myers Squibb	$44,839	$21.56	3
   3	HHMI	$44,394	$21.34
   4	Pfizer	$43,593	$20.96
   5	Pentair	$42,467	$20.42	9
   6	BlueScope Steel	$42,227	$20.30	11
   7	Raytheon Technologies	$41,378	$19.89	26
   8	Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.	$41,070	$19.75	3
   9	Toyo Tire North America Inc	$40,806	$19.62
   10	NOV	$40,717	$19.58	28
   11	Henkel	$40,547	$19.49	58
   12	Medical Billing	$40,248	$19.35
   13	Lucid Motors	$40,211	$19.33	4
   14	Vencore	$39,604	$19.04
   15	Sunstate Equipment Co.	$38,718	$18.61	4
   16	Saint-Gobain	$38,704	$18.61	39
   17	Stanley Black & Decker	$38,671	$18.59	40
   18	Hitchiner Manufacturing Co	$38,623	$18.57
   19	Materion	$38,548	$18.53	10
   20	FN America	$38,539	$18.53

4. Writing a cell operator job description

   A cell operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a cell operator job description:

   Cell operator job description example

   Objectives: The successful candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the job and undergo a post-offer screening for pre-existing medical conditions or injuries performed by an appropriately certified medical service provider. Must meet the WorkKeys minimum score requirement in the following areas to be eligible for a position in the meter factories. 4- Applied math 4- Graphic Literacy 4- Workplace Documents.
   
   REQUIREMENTS FOR POSITIONS IN METER FACTORIESI Safety Responsibilities:1 Responsible for wearing all required PPE as established in each area of the factory.2 Responsible for working safely to protect one's self along with co-workers3 Follow all company rules and regulations4 Will be required to rotate through jobs as instructed to help reduce the possibility of repetitive motion injury II Quality Requirement responsibilities:1 Knowing what the quality requirements are for the job being performed.2 Knowing how to use the precision measuring devices manual or electronic type to ensure product quality.3 Stopping an operation when the quality of the parts does not meet Neptune Quality standards.4 Maintaining tooling used on machinery to produce desirable parts. 5 Responsible for making quality products on all jobs.6 Responsible for removing all defective parts in the production flow if a problem is identified.7 Responsible for properly identifying & processing any scrap.8Responsible for understanding and maintaining all ISO records as required. III Production Responsibilities:1 Capable of gauging parts on each operation as required. 2 Consistently maintain production rates on all processes.3 Capable of running machines both automatic and manual as required.4 Capable of performing changeovers on machinery when needed.5 Capable of performing assembly operations.6 Capable of reading and interpreting information at the packing lines ensuring the customer gets his order correctly.7 Capable of using computers in the meter factories as required to perform required procedures.8 Work overtime as required to meet company production needs.9 Responsible for understanding and performing TPM on the assigned jobs.10 Maintain 5s program within all work areas.IV Other Responsibilities:Required to train new operators as needed. Will be required to rotate through meter factories as instructed
   Qualifications
   
   Education
   
   Required
   
   + High School or better
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right cell operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit cell operators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 cell operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect cell 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new cell operator. 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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How much does it cost to hire a cell operator?