How to hire a framer

How to hire a framer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step framer hiring guide:

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

What does a framer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The framer 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

   A framer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, framers 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of framers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Framer	Description	Hourly rate
   Framer	Carpenters construct and repair building frameworks and structures—such as stairways, doorframes, partitions, rafters, and bridge supports—made from wood and other materials. They also may install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.	$12-21
   Carpenter Foreman	A Carpenter Foreman supervises the work of a group of people engaged in carpentry, locksmith, or bricklaying work. They inspect buildings or other structures reported to be in need of repair and estimate the necessary time and materials for restoring them.	$20-37
   Cabinet Installer	A cabinet installer specializes in installing cabinets in homes and establishments. Their responsibilities revolve around meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, measuring the area for installation, maintaining records, developing plans and strategies, attaching units to the wall, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas... Show more	$13-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Safety Rules
   • Nail Guns
   • Tape Measure
   • Window Frames
   • Sheetrock
   • Residential Homes
   • Commercial Buildings
   • Construction Sites
   • Power Saws
   • Staple Gun
   • Clean Environment
   • Construction Projects
   • Door Frames

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Build walls, soffits, bulkheads, jigs.
   • Build walls, soffits, bulk heads, jigs.
   • Help set up temporary scaffolding.
   • Install siding and shingles to exterior.
   • Light demo clean up and organization of construction materials.
   • Used impact drills, drivers, cut metal studs with snips

   More framer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your framer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A framer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a framer in Idaho may be lower than in California, and an entry-level framer usually earns less than a senior-level framer. Additionally, a framer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average framer salary

   $16.49hourly

   $34,298 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level framer salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 23, 2025

   Average framer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$46,487	$22
   2	Colorado	$37,157	$18
   3	New York	$36,927	$18
   4	New Jersey	$36,771	$18
   5	Washington	$36,757	$18
   6	Illinois	$35,074	$17
   7	Nevada	$34,911	$17
   8	Minnesota	$34,157	$16
   9	Wisconsin	$32,092	$15
   10	Pennsylvania	$31,531	$15
   11	Ohio	$30,190	$15
   12	Texas	$30,170	$15
   13	Arizona	$28,682	$14
   14	Utah	$27,861	$13
   15	Montana	$27,233	$13
   16	South Dakota	$27,098	$13
   17	North Carolina	$25,674	$12
   18	Nebraska	$24,328	$12
   19	Oklahoma	$24,164	$12

   Average framer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Builders FirstSource	$39,314	$18.90
   2	Morton Buildings	$38,781	$18.64
   3	Trillium Staffing	$37,085	$17.83
   4	Tradesmen International	$37,083	$17.83	113
   5	Stella-Jones	$36,883	$17.73	3
   6	QPS	$36,472	$17.53
   7	Plant Prefab	$36,305	$17.45
   8	Michaels Autos	$36,300	$17.45	155
   9	Dexter Apache Holdings, Inc.	$36,300	$17.45
   10	Quality Building Services Inc	$36,271	$17.44
   11	TPI	$36,252	$17.43
   12	ManpowerGroup	$35,194	$16.92	7
   13	Aerotek	$34,610	$16.64	73
   14	Michaels Stores	$34,198	$16.44	205
   15	TERRA Staffing Group	$33,759	$16.23
   16	Elwood Staffing	$33,367	$16.04
   17	PeopleReady	$33,133	$15.93	14
   18	AtWork	$32,198	$15.48
   19	Automation Personnel Services	$32,038	$15.40
   20	Aventure Staffing	$31,479	$15.13

4. Writing a framer job description

   A framer 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. Below, you can find an example of a framer job description:

   Framer job description example

   We're here for the Makers! Come be a part of the team where innovation and teamwork come together to support the most exciting missions in the world!
   
   Michaels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are here for all Team Members and all Makers to create, innovate and be better together.
   
   Build customer relationships while creating a memorable framing solution for their art. Help customers shop our store and be able to find what they're looking for. Provide a safe, clean and clutter-free environment.
   Major Activities
   Adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and Company programs to ensure compliance to applicable laws and requirements; execute Company policies and standards
   Embrace and execute personal designer by using Elevated ABC Deliver to build relationships with all customers while creating Custom Framing solutions. * deliver sales and production results
   Complete framing orders with a high degree of quality and on time
   Maintain the ready made frame department and other assigned areas including SISO and Directed Replenishment
   Deliver friendly customer service; help customers shop and find what they are looking for; provide a well merchandised and in-stock store for the customer to shop
   Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Company programs
   Support shrink and safety programs
   Interacts with others in an accepting and respectful manner; remains positive and respectful, even in difficult situations; promotes commitment to the organization's vision and values; projects a positive image and serves as a role model for others
   Participate in the truck un-load and stocking processes to ensure truck standards are followed and completed within budget
   Operate cash register and execute cash handling to standards
   Acknowledge customers, help locate product and provide solutions
   Assist with Omni channel processes
   
   Other duties as assigned
   
   Minimum Type of experience the job requires
   basic computer skills and basic measuring skills
   ability to operate the framing equipment and glass cutter
   
   Preferred Type of experience the job requires
   retail experience
   Experience selling products and/or services to customers
   
   Physical Requirements
   regular bending, lifting, carrying, reaching and stretching
   ability to move throughout the store
   ability to remain standing for long periods of time
   lifting heavy boxes and frames and accessing high shelves by ladder or similar equipment
   if you need help performing these functions of your job, please contact supervisor so that we may engage in the interactive process with you and find a reasonable accommodation
   
   Work Environment
   public retail store setting taking care of our customers; all public areas are climate controlled; some stock rooms may not be climate controlled; some outdoor work if assigned to retrieve shopping carts or while unloading trucks; Frame shop contains glass cutter and heat press; work hours include nights, weekends and early mornings
   
   Applicants in the U.S. must satisfy federal, state, and local legal requirements of the job.
   Apply On Company Site

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right framer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   To find framer candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as constructionjobs.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit framers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 framer

   Once you've selected the best framer 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.

   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 framer 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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How much does it cost to hire a framer?