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How to hire an extrusion machine operator

Extrusion machine operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring extrusion machine operators in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire an extrusion machine operator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per extrusion machine operator on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 25,818 extrusion machine operators in the US, and there are currently 70,417 job openings in this field.
  • Manteno, IL, has the highest demand for extrusion machine operators, with 7 job openings.

How to hire an extrusion machine operator, step by step

To hire an extrusion machine operator, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire an extrusion machine operator, you should follow these steps:

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

    First, determine the employments status of the extrusion machine operator you need to hire. Certain extrusion machine 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?

    Hiring the perfect extrusion machine 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 presents extrusion machine operator salaries for various positions.

    Type of Extrusion Machine OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Extrusion Machine OperatorMetal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.$13-21
    OperatorOperators 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 OperatorA 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Extrusion
    • Extrusion Machine
    • Quality Standards
    • Math
    • Calipers
    • Extruders
    • Hand Tools
    • Production Reports
    • Troubleshoot
    • Quality Products
    • Minor Maintenance
    • Machine Operation
    • Safety Measures
    • Grinders
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage the levels of chemicals to make sure process run correctly for making Styrofoam.
    • Experience in operating an extrusion machine in accordance with establish procedures, guidelines and customer requirements.
    • Know basic math (add and subtract).
    • Maintain and set up CNC equipment.
    • Calculate amounts per strict FDA regulations.
    • Perform start ups by connecting co extruders and adjust various settings.
    More extrusion machine operator duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the extrusion machine operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. An extrusion machine operator 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 extrusion machine operator in Texas may be lower than in Connecticut, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level extrusion machine operator. Additionally, an extrusion machine operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average extrusion machine operator salary

    $35,804yearly

    $17.21 hourly rate

    Entry-level extrusion machine operator salary
    $28,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025

    Average extrusion machine operator salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Minnesota$38,728$19
    2Wisconsin$38,641$19
    3Pennsylvania$36,280$17
    4North Carolina$35,722$17
    5Illinois$35,504$17
    6Oregon$35,364$17
    7Michigan$33,736$16
    8Kansas$33,628$16
    9Utah$33,315$16
    10California$33,245$16
    11Indiana$33,054$16
    12Texas$30,753$15
    13Tennessee$29,476$14
    14Florida$27,865$13
    15Alabama$26,101$13

    Average extrusion machine operator salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Pactiv$49,034$23.5761
    2Andersen$44,441$21.372
    3Voith GmbH$44,071$21.193
    4Textron$44,029$21.1755
    5ITW$43,126$20.7386
    6Masco$42,622$20.499
    7Plastic Ingenuity$40,647$19.548
    8Toro$40,626$19.533
    9D&W Fine Pack$40,508$19.48
    10Saint-Gobain$39,679$19.0845
    11Atkore International$39,660$19.0719
    12Berry Global$39,657$19.07
    13Americhem$38,411$18.475
    14Applied Ceramics$37,942$18.24
    15Spartech Plastics LLC$37,756$18.157
    16Loparex$37,671$18.113
    17Pexco$37,652$18.10
    18Expert Staffing$37,648$18.101
    19Delta Faucet Of Oklahoma Inc$37,593$18.07
    20Suez Water Inc$37,593$18.07
  4. Writing an extrusion machine operator job description

    An extrusion 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 an extrusion machine operator job description:

    Extrusion machine operator job description example

    Pay starting at $20.00 an hour, not including shift premium

    $2.00 an hour OT Bonus if work 48 hours or more in a week.

    5 days of vacation offered your first year of employment.

    10 paid holidays including your birthday.

    We offer a copay based healthcare plan with no deductible.

    Summary

    Tends machines that supplies parts to the finish department by performing the following duties.

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

    Monitors extrusion line to ensure that high quality parts are being run.

    Performs change-overs in a timely manner.

    Maintains clean line for production.

    Takes cross section of completed matieral.

    Examines material or product for surface defects such as scratches, dents, scuff marks, weld lines, burn, sink, and unmelt.

    Compares product with sample model to ensure high standards of quality.

    Verifies specified dimensions of product or material.

    Knows and adheres to standards of quality.

    Operates a forklift when required. (forklift license)

    Performs other duties as needed upon request by immediate supervisor.

    Qualifications:

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    Language Skills:

    Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

    Mathematical Skills:

    Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measurement, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and ability to draw and interpret bar graphs.

    Reasoning Ability:

    Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

    Physical Demands:

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up o 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision.

    Work Environment:

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

    Company DescriptionWe are a tier 1 automotive exterior parts supplier.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find extrusion 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 extrusion machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit extrusion machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting extrusion machine operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    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 extrusion machine operator

    Once you've selected the best extrusion machine 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.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new extrusion machine operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  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 extrusion machine operator?

Before you start to hire extrusion machine operators, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire extrusion machine operators pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

The median annual salary for extrusion machine operators is $35,804 in the US. However, the cost of extrusion machine operator hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring an extrusion machine operator for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $13 and $21 an hour.

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