How to hire a formulation technician

How to hire a formulation technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step formulation technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a formulation technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new formulation technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a formulation technician do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your formulation technician 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 formulation technician 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 formulation technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, formulation technicians 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 formulation technician salaries for various positions.

   Type of Formulation Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Formulation Technician	Chemical technicians use special instruments and techniques to help chemists and chemical engineers research, develop, produce, and test chemical products and processes.	$14-36
   Chemistry Technologist	A chemistry technologist is responsible for evaluating chemical components and processes by performing laboratory tests and investigations to support scientific studies and claims. Chemistry technologists develop chemical solutions to create and improve existing features of commercial products and enhance the quality standards... Show more	$15-31
   Field Laboratory Operator	A field laboratory operator prepares a safe environment setting and checks on the equipment to be used in performing the experiment or procedure. They are responsible for recording results and correcting any discrepancies observed... Show more	$17-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Lean Manufacturing
   • FDA
   • Troubleshoot
   • Lab Equipment
   • PPE
   • GLP
   • Safety Procedures
   • ISO
   • Respirators
   • CIP
   • QC
   • API
   • OSHA
   • Production Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage daily production schedule, monitor machine operation, addressed any etching machinery problems.
   • Conduct extensive research and product development in extrusion and flavor sciences, specializing in glass encapsulation technology for the flavor industry.
   • Perform internal ISO audits and maintain documentation to preclude violations.
   • Perform waste operations according to GMP, FDA and EPA regulations.
   • Perform dose preparation sampling and dispensing for GLP and non-GLP studies.
   • Perform and supervise LOTO monthly audits, briefing shift personnel on findings.

   More formulation technician duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, formulation technicians' average salary in north dakota is 53% less than in maryland.
   • Seniority. Entry-level formulation technicians 60% less than senior-level formulation technicians.
   • Certifications. A formulation technician 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 a formulation technician's salary.

   Average formulation technician salary

   $48,107yearly

   $23.13 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level formulation technician salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

   Average formulation technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maryland	$65,028	$31
   2	Connecticut	$63,329	$30
   3	Massachusetts	$59,336	$29
   4	Texas	$58,477	$28
   5	New Hampshire	$56,850	$27
   6	California	$56,199	$27
   7	New York	$51,798	$25
   8	Pennsylvania	$51,679	$25
   9	North Carolina	$47,256	$23
   10	South Carolina	$45,723	$22
   11	Ohio	$42,302	$20
   12	Illinois	$40,018	$19
   13	Minnesota	$39,557	$19
   14	Wisconsin	$39,478	$19
   15	Kansas	$38,832	$19
   16	Georgia	$38,493	$19
   17	Oregon	$38,317	$18
   18	Tennessee	$37,810	$18
   19	Michigan	$37,782	$18

   Average formulation technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Boehringer Ingelheim	$98,340	$47.28	4
   2	Novo Nordisk	$89,783	$43.16	4
   3	FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies	$87,996	$42.31	25
   4	Volt Systems LLC	$81,194	$39.04
   5	Hospira	$75,820	$36.45
   6	Thermo Fisher Scientific	$52,189	$25.09	28
   7	FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA	$50,711	$24.38	38
   8	Baxter International	$49,932	$24.01	2
   9	Akorn	$48,512	$23.32
   10	Instrumentation Laboratory	$48,349	$23.24	1
   11	Integrated Resources	$48,338	$23.24	179
   12	Danaher	$47,894	$23.03	18
   13	ATR International	$47,675	$22.92
   14	Champions Oncology	$47,388	$22.78
   15	AMVAC Chemical	$46,660	$22.43
   16	Tris Pharma	$46,586	$22.40
   17	Kodak	$45,571	$21.91	3
   18	Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.	$45,385	$21.82	8
   19	Melaleuca:The Wellness	$45,247	$21.75
   20	IDEXX	$44,804	$21.54	6

4. Writing a formulation technician job description

   A formulation technician 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 a formulation technician job description:

   Formulation technician job description example

   The Career Potential
   
   Ortho Clinical Diagnostics is committed to improving and saving lives with diagnostics. To do this we hire people who share this dream and are ready for new adventures. As a valued team member, you will carve your own career path and be part of building this company stronger and better than ever before. There is no limit to the experiences, opportunities and new directions you will have access to here at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics. More importantly, you will be driving the surge of a whole new direction in important medicine. That's something we can all take pride in as we take this journey together.
   
   Ortho is known in the industry as a leader in customer service and support. Deeply understanding and exceeding the needs of our clinical lab, hospital and blood bank customers is what we do. It's who we are. If you join Ortho, no matter what your role, you will be expected to keep that Customer Excellence focus in your work.
   
   The Opportunity
   
   As the company continues to grow we are seeking an Operator II in our Formulation Department to perform operations as described by our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) in our Film manufacturing Department located in Rochester, NY.
   The ideal candidate will prepare solutions following preparation instructions using raw materials, chemical additions, testing, and finishing of solutions to coat diagnostic film. Work with, operate and troubleshoot equipment issues while strictly following all regulations and requirements including cGMP's, OSHA, FDA, and ISO regulations.
   This position is in Rochester, NY.
   
   The Responsibilities
   
   Effectively communicates verbally and in writing.Demonstrates a sense of urgency to complete production schedule on time.Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work.Accurately and timely completes all required reporting functions using an SAP/ERP computer system.Uses computer-based documentation system to find, view and print specifications and procedures.Prepare solutions used in Film/Coating manufacturing, while following safety procedures and practices and maintaining a clean orderly work environment.Follow a recipe driven process with precise accuracy, operates machinery and interacts with computer-controlled equipment and processes.Disposes of scrap/rejected material in appropriate manner and according to safety regulations.Ability to work in a team environment.
   
   The Individual
   
   A High School Diploma or GED is required. Vocational education would be preferred.Knowledgeable in the areas of chemical and solution preparation, recipe driven processes, solvent/aqueous coating, film coating technology, and mechanical assembly. 2-3 years of experience is preferred in one or all disciplines.Must have basic computer skills i.e., Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).The ability to read and write in English is required.Knowledge and experience with GMP/ISO regulations is preferred.Strong mechanical aptitude, troubleshooting of process and equipment is required.Physical work condition demands for the position include standing, bending, and stooping -some lifting not to exceed 45 pounds.Manual dexterity for manipulating parts and repetitive motions is required.Ability to work a varying schedule of A and B shifts and C shifts. Shifts are 8 hours M-Fri with occasional Overtime shifts.
   
   EOE/AA Disability/Veteran

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find formulation technicians 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 formulation technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level formulation technicians 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.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your formulation technician job on Zippia to find and recruit formulation technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit formulation technicians, 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 formulation technician

   Once you've selected the best formulation technician 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.

   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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How much does it cost to hire a formulation technician?