How to hire a compiler

How to hire a compiler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step compiler hiring guide:

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

What does a compiler do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a compiler, 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a compiler 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 compiler that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of compiler salaries for various roles:

   Type of Compiler	Description	Hourly rate
   Compiler	Cartographers and photogrammetrists collect, measure, and interpret geographic information in order to create and update maps and charts for regional planning, education, emergency response, and other purposes.	$12-54
   Cartographer	A cartographer is someone who makes charts and maps based on geodetic surveys and satellite images. This person usually works with the government or a construction company to create urban planning and infrastructure development plans... Show more	$20-43

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • C
   • Compilers
   • Code Generation
   • Linux
   • Java

   Responsibilities:

   • Direct compilers in the collection and development of desire statistics to be analyze for schedule development.
   • Train inexperienced compilers in the data capture techniques.
   • Represent new Linux compiler at user forums and at trade shows
   • Used 3DCardinal VR privately license mapping software to produce maps digitally.
   • Research, pack, test, deliver and set up equipment.
   • Implement a simple compiler written in Java and utilizing the ANTLRtool for language recognition

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your compiler job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A compiler can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, compilers' average salary in oklahoma is 61% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level compilers 78% less than senior-level compilers.
   • Certifications. A compiler with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a compiler's salary.

   Average compiler salary

   $53,597yearly

   $25.77 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level compiler salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average compiler salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$71,412	$34
   2	New York	$69,512	$33
   3	Massachusetts	$60,628	$29
   4	Arizona	$56,394	$27
   5	Illinois	$51,465	$25
   6	Texas	$49,857	$24
   7	Washington	$48,272	$23
   8	Oregon	$44,785	$22
   9	Colorado	$39,385	$19
   10	Florida	$36,011	$17
   11	Georgia	$34,715	$17

   Average compiler salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$152,774	$73.45	1
   2	SiFive	$142,275	$68.40
   3	Meta	$141,561	$68.06
   4	NVIDIA	$136,255	$65.51
   5	Jane Street	$128,790	$61.92	3
   6	Amd	$122,306	$58.80	2
   7	Xilinx	$118,471	$56.96
   8	Micron Technology	$118,258	$56.85
   9	MediaTek	$114,680	$55.13
   10	Tesla	$110,833	$53.29
   11	Rivian	$109,281	$52.54
   12	Intel	$108,627	$52.22	6
   13	Qualcomm	$106,772	$51.33	7
   14	IBM	$93,725	$45.06
   15	Argonne National Laboratory	$89,782	$43.16
   16	Rockstar Games	$86,401	$41.54
   17	Arista Networks	$82,987	$39.90
   18	Siemens	$82,094	$39.47
   19	Ericsson	$76,171	$36.62
   20	Futurewei Technologies	$74,429	$35.78

4. Writing a compiler job description

   A compiler 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 compiler job description:

   Compiler job description example

   About the Position
   
   We are excited to announce research internships in our Tools and Compilers group, which will be available to complete from Summer 2022. We're looking for PhD and masters students with outstanding research experience in programming languages, compilers, verification, and related areas.
   
   Jane Street's Compilers team focuses on improving OCaml as a foundation for Jane Street's ever-growing technology stack, in collaboration with the greater OCaml community. We work on many different aspects of the compiler, aiming to make it easier for developers to express their ideas in OCaml, to improve the performance of the generated code, and to make the OCaml compiler itself faster and easier to use.
   
   Over the years, we extended the type system with support for novel language features, re-engineered the optimizer ground-up, and added feedback-directed optimization. We also extend and enhance the surrounding toolchain, working on tools for profiling, debugging, documenting, and building automation. The vast majority of our work is open-source, and we upstream as much as we can to the mainstream OCaml compiler.
   
   During the application process, we will work with you to identify a project that aligns with your research expertise and interests. Examples of areas we are interested in exploring include:
   

   • Verifying C bindings with respect to OCaml's garbage collector
   • Superoptimization
   • Type systems that track locality and uniqueness

   
   During the internship, you will work in collaboration with your mentors on one project for about 10-12 weeks. You'll learn how we use OCaml in our day-to-day work, and gain exposure to the libraries and tools that are foundational to our internal systems. You'll gain a better understanding of the wide range of problems we solve every day. You'll try out new ideas and apply state-of-the art research to a large actively-developed production codebase.
   
   You'll also be able to access our physical and virtual educational resources, attend guest speakers and social events, and hopefully get a real sense of what it would be like to work here full time.
   
   About You
   
   We're looking for PhD and masters students with outstanding research experience in programming languages, compilers, verification, and related areas. We don't expect you to have a background in finance, OCaml, or functional programming. Fluency in English required.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit compilers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 compiler

   Once you've selected the best compiler candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the 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.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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How much does it cost to hire a compiler?