How to hire an elevator operator

How to hire an elevator operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step elevator operator hiring guide:

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

What does an elevator operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The elevator 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 an elevator 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 an elevator operator that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of elevator operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Elevator Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Elevator Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$12-25
   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
   Crane Operator	A crane operator's work involves the control of draglines or cranes to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment, and other large objects at industrial or construction sites, ports, surface mines, railway yards, and other similar locations. Their tasks and duties include conducting crane maintenance such as lubricating and cleaning, inspecting cranes, and assembling tower cranes... Show more	$16-39

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Harvest
   • Governmental Regulations
   • General Appearance
   • Grain Elevator
   • Safety Procedures
   • Maintenance Projects
   • Control Room
   • Critical Operations
   • Rail Cars
   • Cleanliness
   • Load Trucks
   • Hand Tools
   • Locomotives

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Evaluate, run and dry grain including inventory and tracking.
   • Operate a harvest shuttle elevator at the start of the almond season
   • Cross training has been provide for operating a diesel locomotive and bobcat.
   • Maintain cleanliness to work environment by sweeping, mopping and wiping down surfaces.
   • Experience unloading trucks, fixing legs and conveyers, using dryers, and other things
   • Load all commodities to spec for end user at best capabilities of the facility.

   More elevator operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your elevator operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An elevator 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 an elevator operator in Indiana may be lower than in Minnesota, and an entry-level elevator operator usually earns less than a senior-level elevator operator. Additionally, an elevator 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 elevator operator salary

   $36,944yearly

   $17.76 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level elevator operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average elevator operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$46,906	$23
   2	West Virginia	$42,463	$20
   3	North Carolina	$42,110	$20
   4	Idaho	$41,561	$20
   5	North Dakota	$39,913	$19
   6	New York	$38,945	$19
   7	Iowa	$38,919	$19
   8	Michigan	$38,558	$19
   9	Illinois	$37,805	$18
   10	Missouri	$35,860	$17
   11	Tennessee	$35,581	$17
   12	Indiana	$34,239	$16
   13	Kansas	$34,014	$16
   14	Ohio	$33,784	$16
   15	Washington	$31,047	$15

   Average elevator operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Bunge	$41,040	$19.73	13
   2	Anheuser-Busch	$40,071	$19.26	11
   3	Cargill	$38,062	$18.30	31
   4	Mennel Milling Co	$37,049	$17.81	7
   5	Rockford Construction	$36,678	$17.63
   6	ADM	$36,117	$17.36	112
   7	Hoffman Construction	$35,256	$16.95
   8	SunOpta	$35,141	$16.89
   9	MFA Incorporated	$30,952	$14.88	2
   10	United Center	$24,810	$11.93

4. Writing an elevator operator job description

   A job description for an elevator operator 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 an elevator operator job description:

   Elevator operator job description example

   The AAA Four-Diamond Grove Park Inn is noted for understated elegance and southern charm; ten U.S. Presidents and countless luminaries from the worlds of art, entertainment, sports and politics have stayed at this hotel. The property offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, delectable restaurants, a Donald Ross golf course, tennis and fitness center, award winning spa and spacious convention facilities.
   
   Omni Grove Park Inn's associates enjoy a dynamic and exciting work environment, comprehensive training and mentoring, along with the pride that comes from working for a company with a reputation for exceptional service. We embody a culture of respect, gratitude and empowerment day in and day out. If you are a friendly, motivated person, with a passion to serve others, the Omni Grove Park Inn may be your perfect match.
   Job Description
   
   Acts as an ambassador for the Resort by greeting and meeting guests while performing primary function of operation of the two Main Inn elevators. Detailed operation required to insure safety in transporting Resort guests to their desired floor. Assists other employees as needed to ensure exceptional guest care.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   * Perform the day-to-day operation of Resort Main Inn elevators, including transporting guests and bell staff to desired floors
   * Interact in a friendly and hospitable manner with guests while traveling on elevator and meeting in public areas. Also responsible for watching the safety of guests in these areas.
   * Maintain the cleanliness of the elevators and areas outside the entrance to the elevator to assure positive appearance and proactive maintenance of equipment
   * Report any maintenance problems with elevator mechanisms to appropriate persons.
   * Be prepared with a daily event sheet available to assist guests in finding meeting rooms or dining facilities.
   * Stay posted at lobby level when not transporting between floors, available to offer guest service.
   * Perform other duties and tasks as directed by Management, to benefit the Resort and the services rendered.
   
   Qualifications
   
   * Must have excellent communication skills and work well with others.
   * Must work well under high pressure situations as related to guest needs.
   * Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
   * Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
   * Must be 16 years of age or older.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit elevator 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 elevator operator

   Once you've selected the best elevator operator 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new elevator 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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How much does it cost to hire an elevator operator?