How to hire a cut-out machine operator

How to hire a cut-out machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the cut-out machine operator you need to hire. Certain cut-out machine operator 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

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

   Type of Cut-Out Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Cut-Out Machine Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$12-22
   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
   Press Brake Operator	A press brake is a machine used to manipulate metal into various shapes and forms. Press brake operators manufacture tools, metal, and other pieces of equipment using a press brake to make punches, bends, and cuts into sheet or plate metal... Show more	$13-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC
   • Quality Checks
   • Hand Tools
   • Calipers
   • Laser Cutting
   • CAD
   • Control Panels
   • Tape Measure
   • Cut Fabric
   • Machine Operation
   • PPE
   • Assembly Line
   • Press Machine
   • RAN

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Attach specialty jams to windows.
   • Work on inventory team used RF gun and cycle counts.
   • Perform calibration checks on all measuring devices such as measuring tapes etc.
   • Perform other personnel functions as needed or assign to include labeling, etc.
   • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
   • Operate and set up vertical ba nd see, drill, and use cutting torches.

   More cut-out machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your cut-out machine operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A cut-out machine operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a cut-out machine operator in New Mexico may be lower than in Pennsylvania, and an entry-level cut-out machine operator usually earns less than a senior-level cut-out machine operator. Additionally, a cut-out machine operator with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average cut-out machine operator salary

   $35,298yearly

   $16.97 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level cut-out machine operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average cut-out machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Pennsylvania	$39,519	$19
   2	Michigan	$34,674	$17
   3	Wisconsin	$34,182	$16
   4	Washington	$33,657	$16
   5	Ohio	$33,620	$16
   6	Illinois	$32,744	$16
   7	Minnesota	$32,584	$16
   8	Colorado	$32,387	$16
   9	Utah	$31,950	$15
   10	Arizona	$31,746	$15
   11	North Dakota	$30,876	$15
   12	Tennessee	$30,849	$15
   13	North Carolina	$30,548	$15
   14	Arkansas	$30,290	$15
   15	Florida	$28,707	$14

   Average cut-out machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Olympic Steel	$49,212	$23.66	9
   2	Sysco	$46,861	$22.53	16
   3	Du-Co Ceramics	$46,361	$22.29
   4	Graphic Packaging International	$38,261	$18.39	19
   5	GSP	$35,455	$17.05	5
   6	MCC Label	$34,793	$16.73	14
   7	SPBCo	$34,630	$16.65
   8	V & P	$34,626	$16.65
   9	The Challenge Printing	$34,426	$16.55	3
   10	Carton Service	$33,828	$16.26
   11	The Bernard Group	$33,599	$16.15	4
   12	Integrity Staffing	$33,498	$16.10	3
   13	Kelly Services	$33,296	$16.01	113
   14	Randstad North America, Inc.	$33,172	$15.95	7
   15	Arhaus	$32,899	$15.82	2
   16	Sheridan	$32,890	$15.81
   17	Summer Classics	$32,255	$15.51
   18	Peckham	$32,012	$15.39
   19	Adecco	$31,910	$15.34	318
   20	Express Employment Indy South	$31,538	$15.16	17

4. Writing a cut-out machine operator job description

   A cut-out 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 cut-out machine operator job description:

   Cut-out machine operator job description example

   4over, a national leader in high volume Print Manufacturing/Production has various system operator opportunities for 1st, 2nd and 3rd shifts at our Miami Gardens climate controlled facility. **(Shift differential pay is applied to all 3rd shift production employees)**

   Currently, we have openings for the following print production areas in Cutting and Diecutting:

   - Cutting System Operators - Polar/Saber systems.. (1st Shift) M-F 5am to 1pm.... (2nd shift) M-F 1:15pm to 9:15pm... (3rd Shift) Sun-Thur 8:30pm to 4:30am

   - Diecutting Operator (3rd Shift) Sun-Thur 8:30pm to 4:30am

   - Shipping Clerk (2nd shift) M-F 1:15pm to 9:15pm

   Skills/Qualifications required:

   - Any hands-on experience or training/schooling operating automation and/or manual manufacturing production systems (similar to CNC, etc.) or Printing Machine systems (such as Offset Print Press, Large Format, Digital Print, Bindery/Folding, Cutting, Diecutting, etc.). “”Depending on experience, training can be provided”

   - Must be capable of prolonged standing to operate various print systems

   A bout 4Over

   Located in Miami Gardens, FL (our HQ is in Glendale, CA), 4over is one of America’s largest trade printing companies, operating three online brands that produce/manufacture a vast array of print and signage products. With 750+ employees, 4over also has state-of-the-art manufacturing and production locations in Arizona, Texas, Ohio, California, New Jersey and Florida. All 4over production facilities are climate controlled.

   Full-time employees are provided a comprehensive benefits package, consisting of 401K, PPO Health Coverage/Dental/Vision and PTO. Shift differential is provided for 3rd Shift.

   Visit the 4over website at www.4over.com

   Company Description4Values – What we live by:
   4Loyalty - Our customers are our lifeblood. We recognize that without the loyalty of our customers we would not be where we are today. Everything we do is centered around cultivating and nurturing a prosperous relationship.
   4Service - It’s our privilege to serve. We are committed to meeting or exceeding expectations. Whether working with customers, suppliers, or 4over associates, we are courteous, responsive and helpful at all times, in order to provide best-in-class service.
   4Excellence - Excellence is in our DNA. We pride ourselves in excelling in all that we do by collaborating as a team to deliver quality products, innovative technologies, and creative solutions that help our customers grow their businesses.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with cut-out machine operator 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.

   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 cut-out machine operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect cut-out 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 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 cut-out machine operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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