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How to hire a general helper

General helper hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring general helpers in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a general helper 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 general helper 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 56,248 general helpers in the US, and there are currently 69,738 job openings in this field.
  • Lawrence, KS, has the highest demand for general helpers, with 7 job openings.

How to hire a general helper, step by step

To hire a general helper, 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 a general helper, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step general helper hiring guide:

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

What does a general helper do?

General helpers are skilled workers who help other workers by performing tasks that need less skill, such as holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment. These helpers are required to provide general labor support to all departments while performing a variety of job assignments. They must ensure that everyone in an organization is following safety rules and inspect areas for safety hazards. General helpers must also perform constant quality checks on the organization's establishments using its quality guidelines and operating procedures.

Learn more about the specifics of what a general helper does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a general helper, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect general helper 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.

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

    Type of General HelperDescriptionHourly rate
    General HelperConstruction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.$13-20
    Construction ApprenticeConstruction apprentices are individuals who are trained by experienced professionals for entry-level tasks involving the trade of construction work on the job. Their complimentary training experience helps them to become skilled in a specific trade by combining hands-on work and classroom learning, as they apply the lessons learned through working... Show more$15-33
    Construction WorkerConstruction workers are part of a crew laborers responsible for a number of easy to extremely challenging and hazardous on-site constructions tasks such as preparing the area, clearing debris, building scaffolding, bracing, loading and unloading building materials, and assisting with operating heavy equipment like concrete mixers. They specialize in a variety of occupations that involve building homes and businesses, roads and highways, tearing down properties, removing high-risk materials, and in the digging of tunnels and mine shafts... Show more$11-20
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Tape Measure
    • Pallets
    • Hand Tools
    • Machine Operators
    • Math
    • Data Entry
    • Cleanliness
    • General Help
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Roofing
    • Safety Rules
    • Safety Procedures
    • Basic Math
    • Quality Checks
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Operate grinders, saws, CNC machines, punch press, straighten metal parts, and package products for immediate shipment.
    • Require bundling of steel tubing.
    • Calculate requirements, using basic math.
    • Assist with reading and mathematics lessons as a small group leader.
    • Be sure to have proper PPE and equipment need in case of emergency.
    • Used hand tools such as rakes, hedge and brush trimmers and brooms.
    More general helper duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your general helper job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A general helper 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 general helper in Arkansas may be lower than in Connecticut, and an entry-level general helper usually earns less than a senior-level general helper. Additionally, a general helper 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 general helper salary

    $35,793yearly

    $17.21 hourly rate

    Entry-level general helper salary
    $29,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average general helper salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Illinois$42,486$20
    2Minnesota$41,819$20
    3New York$41,419$20
    4Michigan$40,643$20
    5Pennsylvania$40,283$19
    6Oregon$39,027$19
    7Washington$38,916$19
    8California$38,223$18
    9Colorado$36,051$17
    10Kentucky$35,479$17
    11Arizona$35,299$17
    12Ohio$34,606$17
    13Tennessee$34,230$16
    14Kansas$33,868$16
    15Georgia$33,860$16
    16Louisiana$33,771$16
    17Utah$33,734$16
    18Oklahoma$32,097$15
    19Virginia$31,285$15
    20Alabama$30,891$15

    Average general helper salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Barry-Wehmiller$40,660$19.553
    2EVRAZ North America$39,961$19.21
    3Kemps$39,958$19.21
    4International Paper$39,551$19.0127
    5Dairy Farmers of America$38,717$18.615
    6PepsiCo$38,659$18.59
    7Packaging Corporation of America$38,592$18.5533
    8Monster Products$38,519$18.521
    9Fluor Corporation$38,241$18.3911
    103M Company$38,193$18.363
    11City of El Dorado$38,153$18.34
    12FXI Holdings, Inc.$38,040$18.29
    13Green Bay Packaging$37,957$18.252
    14Gerdau Ameristeel$37,863$18.201
    15Waste Connections$37,691$18.1215
    16United Water Restoration Group$37,579$18.07
    17Tree Island Wire$37,454$18.01
    18Oakland, New Jersey$37,444$18.00
    19Trachte$37,386$17.97
    20QPS$37,358$17.96
  4. Writing a general helper job description

    A general helper 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 general helper job description:

    General helper job description example

    JOB TITLE: 3rd Shift Biscuit Production Helper/General Bakeshop Helper

    # OF OPENINGS: ONE (1)

    BASE RATE/HOUR: $24.38

    HOURS: Normally start - could start as early as 1:40 P.M. or as late as 2:55 P.M. (Hours may vary with production schedule). Must be able to work overtime. Start and end times may be adjusted based on business needs.

    JOB DESCRIPTION:

    • Various packaging duties, as well as temporary assignments throughout Mixing, Make-up, and Packaging areas to cover job vacancies as deemed necessary and scheduled by immediate supervisor.
    • Sanitation duties as assigned.
    • Will be required to operate Lift Truck and Powered Pallet Jack.
    • Will flex to both the Cracker and Cookie Operations and used to cover both Processing and Packaging area.
    • Individual should have mechanical aptitude since duties may include relieving of Machine Set-up.
    • The Production Helper/GBH must support all plant safety, quality, SAP, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives. This support may include but is not limited to: serving in the role of 5S Leader, actively participating in all audits (i.e. Daily Sweep, Weekly Spot, etc.) and all aspects of team concepts, such as displaying a positive attitude, which are necessary to work collaboratively within a team environment. The person in this position must also perform other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor and/or manager.

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

    THIS JOB WILL REQUIRE THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER TO PERFORM BASIC PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ON EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER OPERATOR-DRIVEN RELIABILITY (ODR) DUTIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLEANING, INSPECTING, AND LUBRICATING AS ASSIGNED BY SUPERVISOR.

    Candidate selection will be based on ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation (as demonstrated by a passing score on the Physical Capacity Screening). Although seniority is a primary consideration for awarding regular hourly Key Operator non-interview positions, consideration will also be given to attendance record, safety record, disciplinary record, quality of work, peer relationships, job performance, previous work history, and experience. Only candidates meeting eligibility criteria in all categories will be considered. The position will be awarded to the most senior qualified bidder who has successfully passed Physical Capacity Screening, if required for the position and if all other of the above criterion being considered are equal among candidates.

    Equal opportunity is provided to all candidates on the basis of individual qualifications without regard to race; color; religion; sex; age; national origin; citizenship; sexual orientation; gender identity; status as a disabled, Vietnam Era, or other eligible veteran; or any other characteristic protected by law.

    High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency with a vocational or technical focus (Training in Industrial Technology or a related field preferred).

    The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

    In that regard, U.S. applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

  5. Post your job

    To find the right general helper 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 general helpers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit general helpers 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 general helper job on Zippia to find and attract quality general helper candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit general helpers, 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. 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 general helper

    Once you've found the general helper 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been 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.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a general helper?

Hiring a general helper comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting general helpers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of general helper recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

The median annual salary for general helpers is $35,793 in the US. However, the cost of general helper hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a general helper for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $13 and $20 an hour.

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