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How to hire a documentation designer

Documentation designer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring documentation designers in the United States:

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

How to hire a documentation designer, step by step

To hire a documentation designer, 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 documentation designer:

Here's a step-by-step documentation designer hiring guide:

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

    Before you start hiring a documentation designer, 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?

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

    The following list breaks down different types of documentation designers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Documentation DesignerDescriptionHourly rate
    Documentation DesignerGraphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.$17-47
    Graphic Designer, MarketingA graphic designer of marketing specializes in developing creative imagery as part of a company's marketing efforts. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with the marketing team to share insights and strategies, conceptualizing designs in adherence to objectives and deadlines, and preparing presentations... Show more$16-33
    Graphic Designer/ProductionA Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company... Show more$16-32
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CAD
    • Adobe Photoshop
    • Management System
    • PowerPoint
    • HTML
    Responsibilities:
    • Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.
    • Increase client service and web presence by developing email HTML newsletters.
    • Digitize all images, signatures and logos, for use with document design with in-house digitizing software.
    • Draft reports and memos to customers and vendors to show HVAC balance design flaws or possible changes to reflect AABC standards.
    • Develop handbags from initial sketch through final product including material sourcing, development of prototypes, sampling and technical specifications.
    • Provide additional support with occasional photo and video shoots, video editing and animation.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your documentation designer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A documentation designer salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, documentation designers' average salary in south dakota is 55% less than in washington.
    • Seniority. Entry-level documentation designers earn 63% less than senior-level documentation designers.
    • Certifications. A documentation designer 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 documentation designer's salary.

    Average documentation designer salary

    $59,941yearly

    $28.82 hourly rate

    Entry-level documentation designer salary
    $36,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 17, 2025
  4. Writing a documentation designer job description

    A documentation designer 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 documentation designer job description:

    Documentation designer job description example

    FIND YOUR FUTURE

    We're excited about the potential people bring to our organization. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

    Overview

    The ECM Document Designer will be responsible for the design and fulfillment of communications through the ECM process. This individual will create documents based on the requirements and direction provided by the ECM Document Designer-Senior. The ECM Document Designer must have strong communication skills, the ability to work independently, think outside the box, and offer suggestions for process improvements, automation, and other efficiencies. This position will provide support to the ECM Document Design team and will be responsible for completion of correspondence from the point of assignment through print vendor fulfillment.

    Qualifications
    • High school diploma or GED required. Associates degree preferred.
    • Two (2) years of marketing, communications or content management experience required. Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word including ability to create tables, charts, and use color palettes.
    • Ability to understand requirements, author documents, and ensure that print fulfillment is completed (i.e., that the print vendor has mailed the documents).
    • Create and test document templates and promote through the various regions to production.
    • Effective collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently and seek support and direction when necessary. Exhibit initiative, creativity, and self-motivation with strong organizational and time management skills.
    • Proficient in PC/Windows, with Microsoft Office and other relevant application skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Adobe Pro or equivalent).
    • Excellent written, oral, and listening communication skills.
    • Proven examples of displaying the IH values: Passionate, Caring, Respectful, Trustworthy, Collaborative and Accountable.


    Essential Accountabilities
    • Design of templates/mockups and review output for templates with the Eloquence Team for approval.
    • Review templates for deployment. Test and move correspondence through application environments; DEV, UAT and on to Production.
    • Understand role in the ECM process and all tasks associated with that role - accountability, reporting, collaboration, and back-up roles, as necessary.
    • Collaborate with the ECM Team on process improvement tactics that continue to improve efficiencies.


    As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, Independent Health and its affiliates will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, criminal record, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status with respect to receiving public assistance, domestic violence victim status, a disabled, special, recently separated, active duty wartime, campaign badge, Armed Forces service medal veteran, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law. Click here for additional EEO/AAP or Reasonable Accommodation information.

    Current Associates must apply internally via their Career Worklet.
  5. Post your job

    To find the right documentation designer 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 documentation designers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit documentation designers 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 documentation designer job on Zippia to find and recruit documentation designer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit documentation designers, 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.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 documentation designer

    Once you've decided on a perfect documentation designer 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 documentation designer. 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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How much does it cost to hire a documentation designer?

Before you start to hire documentation designers, 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 documentation designers 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 $59,941 per year for a documentation designer, 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 documentation designers in the US typically range between $17 and $47 an hour.

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