How to hire a cleaning machine operator

How to hire a cleaning machine operator, step by step

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

Post a cleaning machine operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a cleaning machine 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 cleaning machine operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, cleaning machine 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of cleaning machine operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Cleaning Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Cleaning Machine Operator		$12-19
   Packager	Packagers are skilled employees who place completed products into containers and prepare them for shipment by weighing and labeling each package. As the final checkpoints between buyer and manufacturer, packagers must ensure that items are in proper working order as well as discard defective items according to company procedures... Show more	$10-21
   Packaging Technician	A packaging technician is responsible for planning the packaging design of various products, creating attractive outputs by utilizing software tools and applications, and ensuring that the deliverables adhere to the product's features. Packaging technicians generate new designs according to market trends and public demands... Show more	$13-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Clean Rooms
   • RAN
   • Production Machines
   • Clean Machines
   • GMP
   • Press Machine
   • CNC

   Responsibilities:

   • Observe all safety precaution, plant policies and GMP regulation.
   • Engage Scada system to ensure compliance and attainment of goals.
   • Operate a fork lift, sanitizing, testing, and set-up of equipment, all while applying GMP practices.
   • Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on work pieces, using trace templates, compasses, and rules.
   • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
   • Assemble and weld window parts for Nissan and Honda cars

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, cleaning machine operators' average salary in wyoming is 50% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level cleaning machine operators earn 34% less than senior-level cleaning machine operators.
   • Certifications. A cleaning machine 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 cleaning machine operator's salary.

   Average cleaning machine operator salary

   $16.05hourly

   $33,390 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level cleaning machine operator salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a cleaning machine operator job description

   A job description for a cleaning machine 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 cleaning machine operator job description:

   Cleaning machine operator job description example

   Cintas is seeking a Production Associate - Cleaning Machine Operator - 2nd Shift to support the Rental Division. The Cleaning Machine Operator is responsible for safely and accurately inspecting mats for quality, feeding mats into the mat cleaning system, and sorting rolled, clean mats to place in staging locations for delivery to customers. Cleaning Machine Operators also perform machine checks and filter cleanings. Production Associates are expected to maintain the cleanliness of their work area and to meet or exceed a standard for quantity and quality of work.
   **Skills/Qualifications**
   
   Job Expectations and Eligibility Factors:
   
   Work Eligibility (prior to first day of employment)
   
   + Must be authorized to work in the US.
   
   + Must be 18 years of age or older.
   
   + Have an active driver's license
   
   Work Expectations
   
   + Must adhere to attendance policy.
   
   + Must be willing to work in a safe proximity to other people for extended periods of time.
   
   + Must be willing to work in a fast-paced, schedule driven environment where there are time pressures to complete work quickly.
   
   + Must be willing to handle materials that are soiled, with appropriate protective equipment.
   
   Physical Qualifications, with or without reasonable accommodation:
   
   + Requires standing for most of shift.
   
   + Requires repetitive motions, stretching, bending, turning, or reaching to accomplish work activities.
   
   Attributes of a Great Employee-Partner:
   
   + Attention To Detail: Is thorough and careful about detail when completing work tasks or correcting flaws or mistakes.
   
   + Work Ethic / Effort: Displays a high level of effort and commitment towards performing work; is hard working and dependable; prioritizes tasks properly to meet deadlines.
   
   + Interpersonal Skills: Is pleasant with others on the job and displays a good-natured, cooperative attitude; is respectful, courteous, and polite towards others.
   
   + Teamwork and Collaboration: Works with others to achieve goals; supports team decisions.
   
   + Safety Oreintatin: Is committed to complying with safety rules and guidelines.
   
   + Adaptability/Flexibility: is open to change and to variety in the workplace; is able to switch between tasks or priorities quickly.
   
   + Integrity/Honesty: Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner; is trustworthy.
   
   + Customer Focus: Identifies and meets the needs of internal and external customers.
   
   How You Will Be Evaluated:
   
   The full selection process may include the following components:
   
   • Application and resume review
   
   • Interviews
   
   • Job Tryout
   
   This is not an offer of employment. The tryout provides a realistic job preview to better understand the work environment, the work activities, and the performance expectations. Candidates will be compensated for their time during the job tryout.
   
   Not all applicants will progress through the entire selection process; only those applicants identified as most qualified for the job will be invited to the next step in the process. Individuals who receive a conditional job offer will also be required to complete a background check and drug screen.
   
   Having a criminal history does not automatically disqualify candidates from employment.
   
   Cintas offers comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision benefits, featuring employee health care premiums that are 30% lower than the national average for our industry. One of our medical plan options is even offered at zero cost to our partners.
   
   Additionally, our employee-partners enjoy:
   
   • Competitive Pay
   
   • 401(k)/Profit Sharing/Employee Stock Ownership Program
   
   • Disability and Life Insurance Packages
   
   • Paid Time Off and Holidays
   
   • Career Advancement Opportunities
   
   Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
   
   Cintas Corporation helps more than 900,000 businesses of all types and sizes get READY™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers' image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday .
   
   To support our growth across North America, we're seeking driven professionals with ambition to move up within our company. Our professional culture, our dedication to our employee-partners and limitless career opportunities-these are just a few benefits we're proud to offer. Our employee-partners know every job is critical, and that teamwork drives innovation. Let's talk about how you'll fit into our team and how your hard work will be recognized through competitive pay, world-class benefits and ongoing career development. Are you Ready™ for limitless opportunities at Cintas?
   
   Cintas Corporation is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
   
   **Job Category:** Production Hourly
   
   **Organization:** Rental
   
   **Employee Status:** Regular
   
   **Schedule:** Full Time
   
   **Shift:** 2nd Shift

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right cleaning machine 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 cleaning machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit cleaning machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting cleaning machine operators 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 cleaning machine operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect cleaning machine 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 cleaning machine 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a cleaning machine operator?