How to hire a drilling machine operator

How to hire a drilling machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The drilling 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?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a drilling machine operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a drilling machine operator that fits the bill.

   This list presents drilling machine operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Drilling Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Drilling Machine Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$11-20
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Cranes
   • Drill Holes
   • Machine Tools
   • Circuit Boards
   • Assembly Line
   • Press Machine

   Responsibilities:

   • Train in 15 and 10 ton overhead cranes to move pre and post products.
   • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
   • Operate directional boring machine to install fiber optic cables for companies such as Verizon and Comcast.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, drilling machine operators' average salary in louisiana is 36% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level drilling machine operators 44% less than senior-level drilling machine operators.
   • Certifications. A drilling 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 drilling machine operator's salary.

   Average drilling machine operator salary

   $15.86hourly

   $32,993 yearly

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   Entry-level drilling machine operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a drilling machine operator job description

   A drilling 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 drilling machine operator job description:

   Drilling machine operator job description example

   High school diploma or equivalent, and generally 2-5 years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

   Communication Skills

   Ability to read, write and understand English to comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos as well to write simple correspondence. Able to communicate problems to supervisor or lead.

   Mathematical Skills

   Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

   Reasoning Ability

   Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to solve practical problems and seek supervisors for clarity.

   Work Environment

   • Follows safe work practices and maintains an organized and neat work area. This includes identifying potential risks and recommending/implementing remediations to those risks.
   • Extensive interaction over the entire manufacturing floor requires significant standing and walking on an ongoing basis and the team leader must have the ability to sit and stand, use arms, hands and fingers to perform routine administrative duties and lift 50 lbs.
   • Requires close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less); Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point).
   • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. Employees required to wear personal protective equipment as called out by work instructions and management direction.

   Additional Responsibilities

   • Able to apply regulatory (AS9100, ISO9001) requirements in everyday activities.
   • Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.
   • Must be able to maintain confidentiality and guard the integrity of proprietary information.
   • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for this position.
   • Demonstrate a high level of professionalism.
   • Able to work in a fast paced environment.
   • Able to work well under pressure and maintain a positive, enthusiastic attitude.
   • Eager to learn and expand responsibilities.
   • Other duties as assigned by Management.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find drilling machine operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your drilling machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit drilling machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit drilling 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.

   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 drilling machine operator

   Once you've found the drilling machine operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new drilling machine operator. 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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