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How to hire a crew chief

Crew chief hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring crew chiefs in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a crew chief 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 crew chief to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a crew chief, step by step

To hire a crew chief, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a crew chief:

Here's a step-by-step crew chief hiring guide:

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

What does a crew chief do?

Crew chiefs are the ones responsible for the whole helicopter crew. They are in charge of all that happens to the helicopter, often working for a few hours prior and after their mission. Their job responsibilities also include instructing where the cargo should be loaded and where one should sit, dropping smoke grenades for landing zones, operating the machine gun, instructing the pilots, and assisting in helicopter repair and maintenance. They also conduct a safety helicopter inspection, organize any gear needed for a day's mission, and update the logbook.

Learn more about the specifics of what a crew chief does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a crew chief, 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?

    Hiring the perfect crew chief also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list presents crew chief salaries for various positions.

    Type of Crew ChiefDescriptionHourly rate
    Crew ChiefA Crew Chief, depending on the field of work, coordinates the activity of a group of people through supervising and assessing the quality of their work. The chosen field may include different sports, military, the automobile industry, or emergency medical services.$11-51
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Safety Procedures
    • Customer Service
    • GPS
    • CPR
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Construction Layout
    • Aircraft Maintenance
    • Preventative Maintenance
    • Technical Data
    • Troubleshoot
    • Aircraft Systems
    • Support Equipment
    • Landing Gear
    • FAA
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage daily facility evaluations; trained/supervise airmen and local nationals.
    • Coordinate and manage daily briefings with senior military leadership on status of communication infrastructure and open trouble tickets/work orders.
    • Work closely with parachute fabrication shop on inspections of parachutes and flotation equipment.
    • Design, implement and maintain a web site for the NATOPS training program.
    • Collect, seize, and preserve evidence according to federal and DOD guidelines and regulations.
    • Assist in the removal of engines, transmissions, gearboxes, rotor hubs, and rotor blades.
    More crew chief duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your crew chief job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A crew chief salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, crew chiefs' average salary in wyoming is 56% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level crew chiefs earn 78% less than senior-level crew chiefs.
    • Certifications. A crew chief 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 crew chief's salary.

    Average crew chief salary

    $51,616yearly

    $24.82 hourly rate

    Entry-level crew chief salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 9, 2025

    Average crew chief salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$64,826$31
    2California$59,595$29
    3New Jersey$58,215$28
    4New York$57,408$28
    5Illinois$54,468$26
    6Wisconsin$53,172$26
    7Virginia$51,314$25
    8Indiana$50,553$24
    9North Carolina$49,440$24
    10Michigan$48,707$23
    11Hawaii$47,114$23
    12Texas$47,025$23
    13Washington$44,512$21
    14South Carolina$44,381$21
    15Iowa$43,773$21
    16Ohio$42,604$20
    17Montana$42,299$20
    18Tennessee$41,426$20
    19Missouri$41,268$20
    20Georgia$40,922$20

    Average crew chief salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Harvard University$121,003$58.17
    2CyberCoders$96,944$46.612
    3Weatherford International$90,963$43.73
    4GPAC$90,830$43.67
    5Johnson Mirmiran & Thompson Inc$78,420$37.708
    6HBK Engineering$77,920$37.46
    7Stantec$77,451$37.2419
    8VHB$73,622$35.402
    9Atwell$72,155$34.6922
    10Xylem$71,811$34.52
    11Tetra Tech$71,660$34.452
    12Wade Trim$71,037$34.152
    13DOWL$71,029$34.15
    14Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America$71,010$34.143
    15POWER Engineers$70,955$34.11
    16Boeing$70,618$33.9515
    17Clear Channel Airport$70,375$33.833
    18Obec$69,541$33.43
    19Metropolitan Opera$67,331$32.372
    20Southeastern Surveying and Mapping$65,503$31.49
  4. Writing a crew chief job description

    A job description for a crew chief 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 crew chief job description:

    Crew chief job description example

    Company and Culture For more than 60 years, ServiceMaster Clean has taken great pride in exceeding the expectations of our customers. Behind our commitment to excellence are five key attributes that define who we are and what makes us different from any other. We Are Experts and dominate the industry in scale and scope with an adaptable, extensive network that consistently delivers exceptional results We Are Committed to our customers and are guided in all we do by their needs. We Are Complete and seek to provide exceptional service and engage in proactive behavior. We Are Driven to pursue the highest standards and continuously improve in all aspects of our business. We Are Steadfast and here for the long haul with consistent service that ensures ongoing customer satisfaction
    • Paid Training • Competitive Pay • Flexible Schedules • Career Path Opportunities • Positive Atmosphere •
    Job Position Description: This position is responsible for managing and running Disaster Restoration Crews. Other duties may be Assigned:
    • Perform all cleaning duties for facilities using provided ServiceMaster products, tools and procedures
    • Cleaning duties include: demo, water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, cleaning
    • Maintain inventory of supplies and equipment.
    • Use proper PPE where required
    • Opens and locks facilities, enable and disable security system as required.
    • Will provide on the job training to those with strong work ethic and willingness to learn.
    • Experience working in the disaster restoration field is a plus
    • The ability to be flexible, work at a fast-paced and in a multi-tasked job is a must.
    • Contribute to a positive work climate with a pleasant attitude and contribute to the overall team effort including being in uniform, dependable and on time
    • Has respect and understanding for co-workers and customers
    Physical Demands and Qualifications:
    • Constant (up to 100%) standing, walking, pushing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, twisting, reaching over head, reaching forward. Must be able to lift and and/or carry 25lbs.
    • Ability to read cleaning instructions
    • Ability to differentiate between cleaning products and uses
    Disclaimer The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The Company reserves the right to modify this description in the future, with or without notice to the employee. This Job Description does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, and employment with the Company remains at will. These responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
    Apply and become a part of ServiceMaster, one of the most respected professional cleaning companies in the Country. We pride ourselves on creating cleaner and healthier environments for our customer, their employees and customers. As a ServiceMaster Service Partner you belong to a team that works together to deliver the best solutions and customer service to our clients. We offer paid training, excellent work/life balance and opportunities for advancement and a career path that matches your interests and goals.

    This franchise is independently owned and operated by a ServiceMaster Clean® franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this location should be made directly to the franchisee, and not to The ServiceMaster Company, LLC.

  5. Post your job

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

    Recruiting crew chiefs 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.

    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.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new crew chief

    Once you have selected a candidate for the crew chief position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new crew chief. 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 crew chief?

There are different types of costs for hiring crew chiefs. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new crew chief employee.

You can expect to pay around $51,616 per year for a crew chief, 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 crew chiefs in the US typically range between $11 and $51 an hour.

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