How to hire a clay modeler

How to hire a clay modeler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step clay modeler hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the clay modeler you need to hire. Certain clay modeler roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a clay modeler to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a clay modeler that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of clay modelers.

   Type of Clay Modeler	Description	Hourly rate
   Clay Modeler		$10-43

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Sketch
   • Design Direction
   • Design Specifications
   • Audi

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead a team to carry out marketing research, perform statistical analysis using SAS to determine market potential for various products.
   • Transform regression equation into pseudo code and work with application programmers and project manager to deploy model into the production environment.
   • Engineer statistical SAS models, monitor trends, identify causality and derive forecasts.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, clay modelers' average salary in utah is 54% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level clay modelers earn 76% less than senior-level clay modelers.
   • Certifications. A clay modeler 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 clay modeler's salary.

   Average clay modeler salary

   $45,282yearly

   $21.77 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level clay modeler salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average clay modeler salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$67,649	$33
   2	Michigan	$62,013	$30
   3	Michigan	$60,711	$29
   4	California	$51,809	$25
   5	California	$51,785	$25
   6	California	$51,778	$25
   7	California	$51,675	$25
   8	California	$51,598	$25
   9	California	$51,546	$25
   10	California	$51,527	$25
   11	California	$51,203	$25

   Average clay modeler salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Tesla	$113,888	$54.75
   2	Lucid Motors	$105,140	$50.55
   3	Toyota Financial Svc	$97,083	$46.67
   4	Evelozcity	$45,770	$22.00
   5	Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota	$45,770	$22.00
   6	Brinker International	$45,696	$21.97
   7	Nissan	$32,904	$15.82

4. Writing a clay modeler job description

   A good clay modeler 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 a clay modeler job description:

   Clay modeler job description example

   Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility
   At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility.
   
   We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design - where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience.
   
   Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, we're providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.
   
   We are seeking a Senior Clay Modeler to join our Design and Fabrication Studio.
   The RoleContribute to the physical clay modeling team Develop and fabricate models and physical properties using a range of materials.Work directly with CAD modelers and studio designers Understand clay milling and 3D printing Assist with project development, coordination, and execution Work well in a team or individually as required
   QualificationsFlexibility and are motivated to navigate uncharted paths Clarity and calm approach within a fast-paced environment Easily manage tight deadlines and extraordinary challengesA “will do” attitude CAD and Alias skills are a bonus Minimum of 6 yrs experience within a Clay Design StudioDegree in Automotive Design or equivalent work experience
   At Lucid, we don't just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.
   
   Notice regarding COVID-19 protocols
   At Lucid, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, and friends above all else. In response to the novel Coronavirus all new Lucid employees, whose job will be based in the United States may or may not be required to provide original documentation confirming status as having received the prescribed inoculation (doses). Vaccination requirements are dependent upon location and position, please refer to the job description for more details.
   
   Individuals in positions requiring vaccinations may seek a medical and/or religious exemption from this requirement and may be granted such an accommodation after submitting a formal request to and the subsequent review and approval thereof by our dedicated Covid-19 Response team.
   
   To all recruitment agencies: Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our careers alias or other Lucid Motors employees. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find clay modelers 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 clay modelers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level clay modelers 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 clay modeler job on Zippia to find and recruit clay modeler candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with clay modeler 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.

   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 clay modeler

   Once you've decided on a perfect clay modeler 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new clay modeler. 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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