How to hire a fabric machine operator

How to hire a fabric machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your fabric machine 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 a fabric machine 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

   A fabric machine operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, fabric machine 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 presents fabric machine operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Fabric Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Fabric Machine Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$13-21
   Set-Up Operator	A machine set-up operator operates machinery such as grinders, bores, and mills. They prepare machines to be used by organizing tools, setting valve directions, sharpening tools as needed, positioning tools, and conducting regular maintenance.	$13-25
   Cell Operator	A Cell Operator is someone who handles a production cell in a company or factory. This position ensures that a cell unit of the production functions properly and efficiently... Show more	$14-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Math
   • Tape Measure
   • Basic Math
   • Calipers
   • Press Brake
   • CNC Machines
   • Pallets
   • Micrometers
   • ISO
   • Aluminum
   • Drill Press
   • Punch Press
   • Safety Rules

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
   • Machine welder and TIG welding, bonding components together to fabricate metal products according to specifications and blueprints
   • Operate various industrial machinery including robotic welder, slider, CNC wire bender, press brake, and parts oven.
   • Complete daily checklist for forklift and clamp truck.
   • Fasten metal materials using soldering, brazing, and welding equipment.
   • Set up and operate centerless griding machines to grind OD metal.

   More fabric machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, fabric machine operators' average salary in tennessee is 32% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fabric machine operators earn 34% less than senior-level fabric machine operators.
   • Certifications. A fabric machine 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 a fabric machine operator's salary.

   Average fabric machine operator salary

   $35,954yearly

   $17.29 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level fabric machine operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average fabric machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Oregon	$41,397	$20
   2	Michigan	$36,977	$18
   3	Wisconsin	$36,678	$18
   4	California	$35,887	$17
   5	Indiana	$35,250	$17
   6	Ohio	$34,948	$17
   7	Minnesota	$34,937	$17
   8	Illinois	$34,745	$17
   9	Kansas	$34,494	$17
   10	Colorado	$33,756	$16
   11	Texas	$33,608	$16
   12	North Dakota	$33,534	$16
   13	Missouri	$33,097	$16
   14	North Carolina	$31,344	$15
   15	Georgia	$29,592	$14
   16	Tennessee	$28,736	$14

   Average fabric machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Jacobs Engineering Group	$49,811	$23.95
   2	Siemens	$44,146	$21.22	2
   3	CMC Motocross	$43,093	$20.72	21
   4	Arrowhead Products	$42,629	$20.49	2
   5	Eaton	$42,486	$20.43	76
   6	Stryker	$42,343	$20.36	2
   7	SPX	$41,888	$20.14	4
   8	Interior Specialists	$41,831	$20.11
   9	Terex	$41,498	$19.95
   10	Stanley Black & Decker	$41,282	$19.85	24
   11	Oldcastle Infrastructure	$41,189	$19.80	248
   12	Morgan Truck Body	$40,791	$19.61
   13	LaForce	$40,586	$19.51	1
   14	Manitou North America	$40,433	$19.44	1
   15	Beitzel	$40,416	$19.43	2
   16	Wastequip	$40,289	$19.37
   17	EnPro Industries	$40,229	$19.34	5
   18	Hagie Manufacturing	$40,228	$19.34	2
   19	Interior Logic Group	$40,222	$19.34	1
   20	Astec	$40,207	$19.33	4

4. Writing a fabric machine operator job description

   A good fabric machine 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 a fabric machine operator job description:

   Fabric machine operator job description example

   Job DescriptionAt Astec-Franklin Blvd, formerly known as Johnson Crushers International (JCI), our mission is to design, build, and capitalize on the most innovative solutions and products for the industries and customers we serve globally. Our employees thrive in a safe and team-oriented work environment where they are empowered to make suggestions for operational and sustainability enhancements. With safety as our first core value, we take pride in developing talent and invest in training, protective equipment, and technology for continuous improvement. If you share our dedication to advancement and quality services, we'd love to have you join us at
   Astec-Franklin Blvd, formerly known as Johnson Crushers International (JCI)!
   
   Our Machine Operators set up and operate basic machinery used in selecting operation sequences, tooling, speed and feeds, and torch travel on equipment including saws and CNC burning machines. Our Machine Operators earn a starting salary of $17.88 to $19.00 per hour, depending on experience. There is a 7.5% shift differential for the Evening (2nd shift). Our Evening Shift (2nd shift) hours are Monday-Friday 3:30pm-2:00am
   
   $1500.00 Sign-on bonus for the evening shift!
   
   What You'll Do:
   
   • Read and follow job order specifications and blueprints.
   • Comply with OSHA Safety and Health rules.
   • Set up and operates automatic multiple-operation machine to perform any combination of bending, roll forming to fabricate metal sheets or plates.
   • Installs and aligns roller dies, drive and forming rolls, forming dies using rulers, vernier gauges, square, shims, and hand tools.
   • Sets side guides and stops. Turns knobs to regulate voltage of resistance and synchronize speed of feed rolls, forming rolls, punch, or shear rams.
   • Places roll of sheet or strip metal onto feed roll, thread ends through machine or into drive rolls, or metal blanks or against guides to feed machine.
   • Start machine, verify dimension of finished product visually or using micrometers, calipers, or gauges. Remove finished parts from machine.
   • All duties must be performed in compliance with Astec Mobile Screens policies relating to safety and housekeeping.
   
   Why You'll Love Working for Us:
   
   • Health, Dental, Vision- Day 1 Eligibility
   • Life, and Spousal Insurance
   • Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
   • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
   • 401(k) with Company Match
   • PTO
   • Employee Wellness Programs, Tuition Aid, and Employee Assistance
   
   What We Need from You:
   
   • High School diploma or GED preferred
   • Detail oriented in processing the paperwork used in the manufacture of parts (bills of material, dispatch lists, and work orders)
   • Able to interpret sketches or simple orthographic detailed drawings and be familiar with material used at the respective machine
   • Possess own tools or be willing to acquire own tools over a reasonable time (6 months to 1 year)
   • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
   
   Text “ASTEC” to 25000 to Apply!!
   
   ASTEC is a Drug Free Workplace, Affirmative Action, and Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
   
   #zrastec

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit fabric machine 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 fabric machine operator

   Once you've found the fabric machine 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 employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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