How to hire an equipment operator

How to hire an equipment operator, step by step

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

What does an equipment operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your equipment operator 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 an equipment operator 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 equipment operator 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of equipment operators.

   Type of Equipment Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Equipment Operator	Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.	$11-19
   Crew Foreman	A crew foreman coordinates the daily activities in a construction site to ensure that operations adhere to deadlines, budgets, and quality standards. They serve as the point of contact for supervisors, clients, and construction workers... Show more	$19-30
   Mechanical Spreader Operator	A mechanical spreader operators manage and operate all equipment in various industries where they perform their jobs. The operators work as general mechanics in building HVAC, general building maintenance, and pump station operations... Show more	$14-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Loaders
   • Asphalt
   • Backhoe
   • Hand Tools
   • Safety Rules
   • End Loaders
   • OSHA
   • Customer Service
   • Dump Truck
   • Math
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Work Ethic

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
   • Operate track loader, dozer, excavator, track skid loader, rubber tire loader, and haul truck as assigned.
   • Operate heavy equipment including loaders and rollers.
   • Operate bulldozers, compactors, and scrapers for residential land development
   • Work include backhoe operation, equipment operation, landscaping and snow removal
   • Operate backhoes and trench diggers.

   More equipment operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, equipment operators' average salary in mississippi is 54% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level equipment operators 40% less than senior-level equipment operators.
   • Certifications. An equipment 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 an equipment operator's salary.

   Average equipment operator salary

   $15.26hourly

   $31,739 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level equipment operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

   Average equipment operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Indiana	$35,980	$17
   2	New York	$35,972	$17
   3	Colorado	$35,206	$17
   4	Ohio	$34,257	$16
   5	Utah	$33,548	$16
   6	North Dakota	$32,132	$15
   7	Virginia	$30,452	$15
   8	Arizona	$28,090	$14
   9	Kansas	$27,027	$13
   10	Tennessee	$26,934	$13
   11	North Carolina	$26,515	$13
   12	Texas	$24,069	$12
   13	Georgia	$24,050	$12
   14	Florida	$23,123	$11

   Average equipment operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Nelsen Partners	$49,448	$23.77
   2	City of Detroit	$45,659	$21.95	2
   3	King County	$44,131	$21.22	2
   4	City of San Antonio	$43,335	$20.83	5
   5	Medical University of South Carolina	$43,193	$20.77	1
   6	City and County of Denver Government	$43,189	$20.76	2
   7	University of California-Berkeley	$42,982	$20.66
   8	Dell	$42,487	$20.43
   9	City of Round Rock	$42,409	$20.39	2
   10	The Doe Run Company	$42,253	$20.31
   11	Freeport-McMoRan	$41,919	$20.15	36
   12	San Bernardino County	$41,856	$20.12
   13	City of Louisville	$41,835	$20.11
   14	City of University City, Missouri	$41,648	$20.02	4
   15	Sierra Pacific Industries	$41,584	$19.99	8
   16	Neal	$41,473	$19.94
   17	The State of Oregon	$41,422	$19.91	1
   18	City of Tacoma	$41,393	$19.90
   19	City of Houston	$41,388	$19.90	6
   20	York County	$41,284	$19.85	1

4. Writing an equipment operator job description

   A good equipment operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an equipment operator job description:

   Equipment operator job description example

   Equipment Operator ($4,000 Sign on Bonus!) FULL-TIME
   $22/hr, plus $4000 new hire bonus, see details below O'Reilly is hiring an enthusiastic Equipment Operator with a win-win attitude, who thrives in a fast- paced environment! We are committed to maintaining a safe work environment by following our safety procedures. Your safe and efficient operation of the forklifts will help us ensure the right products get to the right place at the right time! We offer onsite interviews and same day hiring decisions. If you are dedicated and hardworking, this is the career opportunity for you! Explore our culture and come be a part of it. What you will do:
   - Operate a sit-down or standup forklift (often called a reach truck), order picker, cherry picker, or dock stocker to load, unload, sort and stage products into and out of the warehouse
   - Match numbers quickly and accurately
   - Take pride in delivering excellent customer service
   - Thrive in a busy, fast-paced warehouse environment
   - Work closely with others in a team environment BOS-01 WS-01
   Schedule
   Shift start: 4:00AM or 3:00PM or 10:30PM
   Shift length: 10 - 12 hours
   Monday - Friday, or Saturday - Tuesday (10-12 HR Shifts)
   Benefits
   Health, dental, vision insurance - available after 30 days Paid time off 401(k) plan
   Qualifications
   Must pass drug screen (cannabis included) Must pass background check Can lift 50 lbs Must be at least 18+ years old Forklift operation experience desired but not required. On-the-job training is offered!High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred but not required
   
   $4000 new hire incentive
   About O'Reilly Auto Parts
   O Reilly Auto parts is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories in the United States serving both the professional service providers and do-it-yourself retail customers. Founded in Springfield, MO in 1957 by Charles Francis C.F. and Charles H. Chub O Reilly, the company now operates more than 5,000 stores in 47 states with 77,000-plus team members.The underlying spirit and philosophy of O Reilly, has been one of growth and progress, both for the company and its team members. This, as well as the company's strong culture, remain

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with equipment 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 equipment operator

   Once you've found the equipment 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.

   To prepare for the new equipment 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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How much does it cost to hire an equipment operator?