How to hire a data collection technician

How to hire a data collection technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step data collection technician hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your data collection technician job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a data collection technician for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect data collection technician 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of data collection technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Data Collection Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Data Collection Technician	Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.	$18-36
   Laboratory Supervisor	The primary job of laboratory supervisors is to oversee the daily operations of laboratories. They are responsible for facilitating the collection, analysis, and interpretation of laboratory results... Show more	$22-46
   Laboratory Aide	A laboratory aide is primarily responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and order in laboratories, all while performing support tasks for scientists. Their duties revolve around arranging specimens and samples, transporting materials from one laboratory to another, preparing apparatuses and machines, and storing them accordingly... Show more	$9-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • GPS
   • GIS
   • Traffic Counters
   • Traffic Data
   • Data Analysis
   • RF
   • Data Collection
   • Statistical Data
   • Analyze Problems
   • Statistical Programs
   • QC

   Responsibilities:

   • Used UNIX as well as the windows FTP platforms to accomplish these tasks.
   • Test pharmaceutical products using HPLC.
   • Utilize GPS and GIS software to create a map showing the location, direction and depth of underground utilities.
   • Map creation, customer service, quality checks, GIS
   • Upload data into GIS software and navigate software daily.
   • Network operation support for order entry, design, VoIP and field operation teams.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, data collection technicians' average salary in oklahoma is 44% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level data collection technicians 49% less than senior-level data collection technicians.
   • Certifications. A data collection technician 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 data collection technician's salary.

   Average data collection technician salary

   $53,779yearly

   $25.86 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level data collection technician salary

   $38,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

4. Writing a data collection technician job description

   A data collection technician 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 data collection technician job description:

   Data collection technician job description example

   Houston, Tx In Field: 75% -100% Pay: $27.00 - $28.69/hr US Citizen or Green Card Holder Only OSP Field Technician functioning in a technician capacity. Performs field ride out and data collection of existing utility poles. This position will be virtual (based in Houston, TX) requires frequent travel around the Houston, TX area and occasionally other metro areas. Under close supervision, performs basic functions requiring technical knowledge utilizing electronic applications, processes, standards and document control processes/procedures for the purpose of creating or modifying deliverable. Evaluates methods used to accomplish the drafting and/or design activities. Job Duties & Responsibilities:
   Will work virtually in the Houston, TX area to performs field ride out and data collection of aerial, underground, and buried fiber optic facilities. Requires travel (75-100%) around the surrounding metro areas and some could be further outside the metro to take pictures, measurements, document existing facilities, and obtain design information in preparation for OSP/ISP network design.
   • Limited Overnight Travel.
   • Contractor will follow Company travel policy at all times.
   • Will follow Company safety policies. Candidates will be experienced in ISP/OSP field/data collection of copper and fiber optic facilities, in aerial, underground, and buried applications.
   Candidates with some technical knowledge and understanding of OSP/ISP field data collection, right of way and easements are preferred but not required.
   General understanding of aerial, underground and buried fiber construction are an added plus. including span lengths, pole loading, anchoring, guying, and attachment heights as well as familiarity with joint use regulations are all an added plus.
   Candidates with no previous technical experience can be trained but will need to be quick learners and retain the information. Quality & Continuous Improvement:
   Continues developing knowledge and complies with Company quality program relative to assigned tasks. Supports continuous improvement and change management efforts. Engineering Production:
   Contributes to the field data collection of engineering deliverables such as drawings, reports, specifications, and studies of limited scope. Performs research and develops recommendations for equipment and/or materials selection. Collects, assimilates, and manages data for engineering work.
   Coordinates documents, review plans, uploads documents into data bases Skills:
   • Diploma or Certificate preferred.
   • Typically a minimum of 1 year related work experience
   • OSP or Fiber data collection experience
   • Individual must be available to mobilize when scheduled and possess a valid driver’s license with a clean motor vehicle report.
   • Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
   • Ability to work outside in varying weather conditions
   • Must be able to stand, bend, squat, walk, move, lift, carry… equipment (>20lb) for the duration of the workday Preferred Technical Competencies:
   • Basic knowledge of engineering standards, systems, document control, departmental guides and Company policies and procedures.
   • Basic industry knowledge and technology trends
   • Basic knowledge of company quality program
   • Basic ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right data collection technician 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 data collection technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit data collection technicians 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 data collection technician job on Zippia to find and recruit data collection technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with data collection technician 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.

   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 data collection technician

   Once you've selected the best data collection technician 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 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 data collection technician. 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.)

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