How to hire a core machine operator

Core machine operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring core machine operators in the United States:

In the United States, the median cost per hire a core machine operator is $1,633.
It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new core machine operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a core machine operator, step by step

To hire a core machine operator, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a core machine operator:

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

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

Identify your hiring needs

The core machine 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?

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

This list shows salaries for various types of core machine operators.

Type of Core Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
Core Machine Operator	Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates. They often combine and incorporate different materials into wood.	$12-35
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
Machine Operator/Forklift Operator	A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment... Show more	$12-18

Create an ideal candidate profile
Common skills:
- Quality Checks
- Core Machine
- Tape Measure
- Quality Products
- Core Boxes
- Sand Cores
- RAN
- Troubleshoot
- Quality Standards
- Machine Operation
- Assembly Line
Responsibilities:
- Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
- Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Make a budget
Including a salary range in your core machine operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A core machine operator can vary based on:
- Location. For example, core machine operators' average salary in hawaii is 51% less than in ohio.
- Seniority. Entry-level core machine operators 63% less than senior-level core machine operators.
- Certifications. A core machine operator 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 core machine operator's salary.
Average core machine operator salary
$45,138yearly
$21.70 hourly rate
Entry-level core machine operator salary
$27,000 yearly salary
Updated January 20, 2026
Writing a core machine operator job description
A core machine 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a core machine operator job description:
Core machine operator job description example
With over $2B in revenue, 80+ manufacturing facilities across 6 continents and over 7,000 employees worldwide, Signode is a leading manufacturer of a broad spectrum of transit packaging consumables, tools, software, and equipment that optimize end-of line packaging operations and protect products in transit. Signode brings this extensive product portfolio together under hundreds of trusted brands to offer complete transit packaging solutions to its customers.

We produce strap, stretch and protective packaging. We also manufacture packaging tools and equipment used to apply the bulk packaging materials. These commercial packaging products are used to pack, bundle, unitize, protect and secure goods during warehousing and transit. Our company is a pioneer in the industrial packaging sector with a long history of customer-focused innovations in materials, processes and automation technology that have revolutionized the sector.

We are proud to be the Transit Packaging Division of Crown Holdings, Inc. We are excited to go to market as Signode and to share the portfolio of products, services and capabilities that make us the world’s premier end-of-line packaging company.

Please read the job description below and if you are interested, please apply on Signode’s website here.

CORE MACHINE OPERATOR - DANVILLE, VA

We offer a competitive salary of $19.00 per hour.

A variety of benefits are also available, including medical, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, as well as Signode's 401(k) program.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Primary Purpose:

To operate core machine to produce various types and sizes of core for honeycomb products as well as serve as the material handler for that machine.

Responsibilities:
- Maintain safe working environment as top priority
- Place all waste and completed product in designated areas
- Keep walkways and machine areas free of debris
- Operate forklift
- Assist in other areas of plant as needed
Minimum Required Education and/or Skills
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs. on a regular basis
- Must be willing and able to operate a forklift
- Ability to work flexible hours including overtime
- Ability to communicate written and spoken English
- Must be able to read a ruler
- Must be able to do basic math
Company DescriptionLet’s find your next job – together. Whether you’re looking for temporary work or a direct-hire job, Advantage xPO will connect you to an opportunity that closely matches your interests and skills. Advantage xPO is a proud member of Staffmark Group, an award-winning family of staffing brands with a national network of 450+ offices. We connect over 250,000 people to jobs each year, and we’re ready to put this expertise to work for you! Learn more at www.advantagexpo.com.
Post your job
To find core machine operators 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 core machine operators they would recommend.
- Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level core machine operators 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 core machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit core machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
- Use field-specific websites.
- Post a job on free websites.
Interview candidates
To successfully recruit core machine 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 to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.
The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.
Send a job offer and onboard your new core machine operator
Once you've decided on a perfect core 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 core 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.
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 core machine operator?

Before you start to hire core machine operators, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire core machine operators pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $45,138 per year for a core machine operator, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for core machine operators in the US typically range between $12 and $35 an hour.

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Updated January 20, 2026

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How to hire a core machine operator