How to hire an extruder operator

How to hire an extruder operator, step by step

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

What does an extruder operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the extruder operator you need to hire. Certain extruder operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

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

   This list shows salaries for various types of extruder operators.

   Type of Extruder Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Extruder Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$13-21
   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
   Numerical Control Operator	A numerical control operator is responsible for monitoring machinery and managing computer-generated equipment to produce tools and components from various mechanical resources. Numerical control operators must have extensive knowledge with the technology and mechanical industry to perform basic troubleshooting and detect malfunctions during operations... Show more	$13-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Extrusion
   • Quality Checks
   • Hand Tools
   • Extruders
   • Math
   • Safety Standards
   • Calipers
   • PET
   • Safety Rules
   • Safety Procedures
   • Product Quality
   • Basic Math
   • PVC
   • Production Schedules

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
   • Preform preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and adjustment/modification of extrusion processes as necessary to maintain production standards.
   • Doff lines, check and QA materials.
   • Train other operators on SPC and process improvements.
   • Operate extruder, vast knowledge in ISO, quality inspection.
   • Inspect cable in process for resistivity and wall thickness, document on SPC charts.

   More extruder operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, extruder operators' average salary in north carolina is 27% less than in new hampshire.
   • Seniority. Entry-level extruder operators 36% less than senior-level extruder operators.
   • Certifications. An extruder 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 extruder operator's salary.

   Average extruder operator salary

   $36,707yearly

   $17.65 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level extruder operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average extruder operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$44,765	$22
   2	Virginia	$42,345	$20
   3	Wisconsin	$41,574	$20
   4	Connecticut	$39,034	$19
   5	Kansas	$38,829	$19
   6	Pennsylvania	$38,445	$18
   7	Kentucky	$37,961	$18
   8	Georgia	$37,798	$18
   9	Oregon	$37,312	$18
   10	Utah	$36,328	$17
   11	Nebraska	$36,154	$17
   12	Ohio	$35,727	$17
   13	Indiana	$35,068	$17
   14	Texas	$33,988	$16
   15	North Carolina	$33,341	$16

   Average extruder operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Baker Hughes	$46,108	$22.17	8
   2	Mars	$43,201	$20.77	17
   3	Amphenol	$42,135	$20.26	1
   4	Post Holdings	$41,475	$19.94	50
   5	Bulldog Solutions	$40,725	$19.58
   6	Cargill	$40,683	$19.56	69
   7	Henkel	$40,563	$19.50	48
   8	Lubrizol	$40,285	$19.37	8
   9	ADM	$40,021	$19.24	52
   10	Sonoco	$39,947	$19.21	4
   11	Crane Co.	$39,916	$19.19	6
   12	Pactiv	$39,879	$19.17	67
   13	Rogers Roofing	$39,875	$19.17
   14	Andersen	$39,749	$19.11	4
   15	Plastic Ingenuity	$39,672	$19.07	8
   16	rEvolution	$39,415	$18.95	14
   17	Zeus Industrial Products	$38,926	$18.71	5
   18	Saint-Gobain	$38,510	$18.51	41
   19	Arcosa	$38,483	$18.50	34
   20	Judd Wire	$38,352	$18.44	7

4. Writing an extruder operator job description

   A good extruder 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 extruder operator job description:

   Extruder operator job description example

   Extruder Operator
   Location: Greensboro, GA
   Pay: $18.50 + Shift Differential ($2.00 for third and $1.10 for second
   
   You will like working for us as we have amazing people and a highly collaborative culture. Global success hasn't changed our tight-knit feel - we've simply grown into a larger, more diverse family. We have thousands of jobs around the globe and encourage all of our associates to chase their dreams without having to find them in another company - it truly is a special place.
   While reporting to the production manager you will be responsible for setting up, operating all extrusion equipment in a safe manner. Excellent attendance is crucial for the team to achieve success. You will have the ability to work with various teams and have a good eye to spot defects in the packing line. You will take pride in your personal hands-on and analytical abilities, organization skills, and attention to detail.
   
   What you'll be doing:
   Setting up and operating machinery and ensuring proper dimensions are set up Adjusting machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, temperatures, and amounts, dimensions and flow of materials or ingredients Making incremental process adjustments, monitoring and reporting quality of manufactured product. Ability to communicate efficiently with the lead technician, or supervisor, when extruded product fails to meet standards Recording and Maintaining production data such as meter readings ad quantities, types and dimensions of materials produced Turning controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure or die gaps Collaborating closely with other departments and teams Maintaining a safe, clean and organized work area. Performing all duties as designated by supervisor/manager.Performing all duties in support of Sonoco's quality and safety policies.Helping out other departments as needed
   
   We'd love to hear from you:
   
   We expect you to be Sonoco mission driven We would like for you to have at least 2 years of machine operator and manufacturing experience.You have to have a “get it done” attitude and an urgency to resolve problems/tasks.To succeed in this role you will need excellent written and verbal communication skills Working independently and managing multiple tasks simultaneously is needed.You need to have working knowledge of our products and their quality requirements.Being reliable, having good initiative, being committed, and being quality focused is a must.You will need to be able to lift up to 25 lbs. as needed.Having the ability to effectively work with a team in a fast-paced environment is crucial to success.You will need to have the ability to read and understand manufacturing instructions.You will need to able to perform repetitious duties, including stairs and standing for long periods of time.You will need to have the ability to work quickly while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
   
   Why you'll Like Working with US:
   
   We care about YOU through employee development, providing excellent benefits, investing in your future and valuing diversity and inclusion.
   
   We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit extruder 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 extruder operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect extruder operator 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 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 extruder 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 extruder operator?