How to hire an equipment operator/labour

How to hire an equipment operator/labour, step by step

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

What does an equipment operator/labour do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The equipment operator/labour 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

   An equipment operator/labour's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, equipment operators/labour 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.

   Here's a comparison of equipment operator/labour salaries for various roles:

   Type of Equipment Operator/Labour	Description	Hourly rate
   Equipment Operator/Labour	Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.	$12-20
   Labour Worker	A labour worker is responsible for performing high-quality operations, depending on the chosen industry. In most cases, construction businesses employ labor workers to do physical tasks that involve utilizing machinery, carrying materials, inspecting sites, analyzing blueprints and plan specifications, and ensuring the structures' safety and security... Show more	$11-18
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Backhoe
   • Loaders
   • Dump Truck
   • Asphalt
   • Safety Regulations
   • Load Trucks
   • CDL
   • Dozer
   • End Loaders
   • Sewer Lines
   • Water Truck
   • Front End Loader
   • Skid Steers
   • Construction Sites

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
   • Work heavy equipment, cdl, forklift, guard rail crew
   • Perform work that require using pick axes, shovels, and other hand tools.
   • Operate heavy equipment, to include backhoes, rollers, lawn tractors and bulldozers.
   • Dig basements, footings, foundations, trenches for commercial real estate construction contracts.
   • Operate dirt equipment to clear areas dig foundations, pour concrete footers, floors, walls, and snow removal.

   More equipment operator/labour duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the equipment operator/labour job description is a good way to get more applicants. An equipment operator/labour salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for an equipment operator/labour in South Carolina may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level equipment operator/labour. Additionally, an equipment operator/labour with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average equipment operator/labour salary

   $16.33hourly

   $33,959 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level equipment operator/labour salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average equipment operator/labour salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$49,464	$24
   2	California	$47,612	$23
   3	Massachusetts	$45,247	$22
   4	New Jersey	$44,694	$21
   5	Minnesota	$41,993	$20
   6	Washington	$39,989	$19
   7	Indiana	$39,432	$19
   8	Oregon	$38,128	$18
   9	Illinois	$37,613	$18
   10	Nevada	$36,694	$18
   11	Iowa	$36,353	$17
   12	Pennsylvania	$35,433	$17
   13	Idaho	$33,602	$16
   14	Texas	$32,813	$16
   15	Colorado	$32,795	$16
   16	Arizona	$32,731	$16
   17	Florida	$32,275	$16
   18	New Mexico	$31,902	$15
   19	Nebraska	$30,511	$15
   20	Louisiana	$30,173	$15

   Average equipment operator/labour salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	MDU Resources	$46,223	$22.22	2
   2	Martin Marietta	$42,948	$20.65	41
   3	Minnesota State Fair	$42,704	$20.53	5
   4	Keller	$41,351	$19.88
   5	Clyde Companies	$41,022	$19.72	4
   6	Oldcastle Infrastructure	$39,934	$19.20	396
   7	Vulcan Materials	$39,921	$19.19	66
   8	Ring Power Cat	$39,692	$19.08	3
   9	DC Construction	$39,587	$19.03
   10	Republic Services	$39,561	$19.02	136
   11	Kinsley Construction	$39,403	$18.94	1
   12	NEBCO	$39,089	$18.79
   13	Waste Connections	$39,072	$18.78	62
   14	PepsiCo	$38,828	$18.67	7
   15	Sunstate Equipment Co.	$38,781	$18.64
   16	Peckham Industries	$38,473	$18.50
   17	Foster Farms	$37,472	$18.02	13
   18	McDermott International	$36,881	$17.73
   19	NCW	$35,934	$17.28	2
   20	GROWMARK	$35,362	$17.00	16

4. Writing an equipment operator/labour job description

   An equipment operator/labour 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 an equipment operator/labour job description:

   Equipment operator/labour job description example

   Primary Location: Connecticut-Hartford-80 Seymour Street (10008) Job: Support Services / General ServicesOrganization: Hartford HospitalJob Posting: Oct 6, 2022 Equipment Aide - Labor And Delivery - (22163316) Description
   Work where every moment matters.
   
   Every day, almost 30,000 Hartford HealthCare employees come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut's most comprehensive healthcare network.
   Hartford Hospital is one of the largest and most respected teaching hospitals New England. We are a Level 1 Trauma Center that provides cutting edge treatment to its patients. This is made possible by being home to the largest robotic surgery center in the Northeast and the Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation (CESI), one of the most-advanced medical simulation training centers in the world. When hospitals cannot provide the advanced care, expertise and new treatment options their patients require, they turn to us.
   
   The Labor & Delivery unit includes 16 labor/delivery/recovery beds, 5 obstetric triage beds and a surgical suite comprised of 3 ORs dedicated to cesarean delivery.
   
   Job Summary:
   Performs support duties for the department such as maintaining inventory of equipment, stocks, verifies proper functioning and placement of equipment, troubleshoots and performs quality assurance testing on equipment. Reports to Manager.
   
   Qualifications High school diploma preferred. Experience in healthcare setting working with supply orders; equipment transportation, sterilization and quality assurance testing; and the coordination of equipment needs with other departments in a large acute care setting preferred.
   Must be a self starter, demonstrate resourcefulness and work independently.
   
   Must be able to perform moderately strenuous tasks, work with high temperatures and contaminated equipment.
   
   Must be responsible in the handling of expensive equipment and pharmaceuticals.
   
   Read, write and speak English fluently.
   
   Demonstrate proficiency in basic computer applications used in ordering supplies.
   We take great care of careers.
   With locations around the state, Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth. Here, you are part of an organization on the cutting edge - helping to bring new technologies, breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men, women and children. We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees-- we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure work/life balance. Every moment matters. And this is your moment.
   
   RegularStandard Hours Per Week: 40Schedule: Full-time (40 hours) Shift Details: Night shift

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find equipment operators/labour 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 equipment operators/labour they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level equipment operators/labour 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.

   To find equipment operator/labour candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as constructionjobs.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit equipment operators/labour, 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.

   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/labour

   Once you have selected a candidate for the equipment operator/labour position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new equipment operator/labour. 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 equipment operator/labour?