How to hire an extrusion press operator

How to hire an extrusion press operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The extrusion press 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

   Hiring the perfect extrusion press 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 press operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Extrusion Press Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Extrusion Press Operator		$12-19
   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
   Press Operator	A press operator is responsible for the maintenance of printing machines and other equipment to ensure smooth operations while meeting the clients' needs with the highest quality standards. Press operators duties' include performing troubleshooting, replacing defective machine components, upgrading the systems for efficiency, analyzing blueprints and instructional guides, determining product suitability, and inspecting irregularities before and after the use of press machines... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Extrusion
   • Quality Checks
   • RAN
   • Production Quality
   • Aluminum Products
   • Troubleshoot
   • Air Pressure
   • Quality Standards
   • Plant Safety

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the levels of chemicals to make sure process run correctly for making Styrofoam.
   • Operate aluminum extrusion press in a production base environment.
   • Operate a large extrusion press for a national ammunition manufacturing company.
   • Operate extruders and other machinery; used high-density polyethylene in combination with other additives to create blown film plastic.
   • Press operator on misc multicolore Heidelberg and Komori presses

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your extrusion press operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An extrusion press operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, extrusion press operators' average salary in florida is 31% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level extrusion press operators earn 37% less than senior-level extrusion press operators.
   • Certifications. An extrusion press operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an extrusion press operator's salary.

   Average extrusion press operator salary

   $15.89hourly

   $33,056 yearly

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   Entry-level extrusion press operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 24, 2025

4. Writing an extrusion press operator job description

   A good extrusion press 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 extrusion press operator job description:

   Extrusion press operator job description example

   BE PART OF THE SHAPE FAMILY
   
   We are thinkers, believers and doers.At Shape, we don't see the norm as our limit; we look at it as our opportunity to push limits and tradition.A chance to bring something new to our customers, team members and communities.When seemingly impossible challenges arise, we look to the core of the problem, and create solutions others believe can't be done.
   
   JOIN OUR GROWING ALUMINUM CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
   
   As a full service, tier-one automotive and industrial component supplier in the Greater Dayton/Cincinnati area focusing on lightweighting of body structures our business is expanding. This year we are building a new facility to support our increasing portfolio of tight-tolerance aluminum extrusion business. With extensive growth planned in the near future, the opportunities are limitless!
   
   Essential Job Functions include, but not limited to, the following:
   
   Follow all extrusion press standards, including
   Preparation of extrusion tooling
   Operation of cranes and forklifts
   Extrusion tooling change overs
   Quality inspections
   Continuously assess operation and make changes to various measures such as billet temperature, billet lengths and speeds, to keep consistent product extrusion
   Proactively facilitate continuous improvement activities with the goal of waste elimination and improved performance of the team.
   Proactively facilitate continuous improvement activities with the goal of waste elimination and improved performance of the team.
   Address team member questions concern while fostering a positive team-oriented environment.
   Demonstrate understanding of lean manufacturing principles and capabilities.
   Provide regular and unbiased input to the Supervisor/Manager on the productivity and performance of team members.
   Evaluate completion and accuracy of required forms.
   Demonstrate a thorough understanding and proficiency in the use of the Plex system.
   Provide continuity of information between shifts.
   Manage Ovens for all dies scheduled for future runs, ensuring temperature is correct and maintained
   Responsible for dies as they are prepared for production runs, during instillation, and while running production
   Periodically running the extrusion press, including monitoring billet temperature, pressure, speed, and quench rates
   Responsible to ensure right alloys are running for correct process.
   Troubleshoot, isolate, and repair where possible, any issues that arise from operations
   Responsible for ensuring quality parts are produced by conducting visual and gauge inspection of parts produced by an extrusion press.
   Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as directed by the leader.
   Requirements:
   
   Requirements:
   
   Effective problem solving skills
   Good communication skills
   Basic computer skills
   Basic understanding of GD&T
   Ability to read and understand dimensional prints
   Ability to use inspection equipment like calipers micrometers and specialized gauges
   Basic mathematic skills including converting measurements to and from metric to standard
   Ability to manage time efficiently
   Ability to work as an effective member of a team
   
   Preferred Education and Experience:
   
   High School diploma or equivalent
   2 years extrusion press experience, preferred
   3 years Tool and Die experience, preferred

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5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit extrusion press 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 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 extrusion press operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect extrusion press 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.

   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.

   To prepare for the new extrusion press 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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