How to hire a general machine operator

How to hire a general machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a general machine operator, 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?

   Yes

   No

   A general machine operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, general 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 shows salaries for various types of general machine operators.

   Type of General Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   General Machine Operator		$12-18
   Mill Operator	Mill operators are skilled employees who are responsible for operating and maintaining milling machines that grind materials such as rocks or chemicals at a milling facility. These operators must gather raw materials for production and assist with the inventory of all materials... Show more	$14-23
   Machine Operator/Forklift Operator	A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Math
   • CNC
   • Safety Procedures
   • Troubleshoot
   • Production Process
   • Machine Operation
   • Tape Measure
   • Production Equipment
   • Quality Standards
   • Safety Regulations
   • Product Specifications
   • Quality Checks
   • Assembly Line
   • Pallet Jack

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lift work pieces to machines using hoists.
   • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
   • Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

   More general machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the general machine operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A general machine operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a general machine operator in Arkansas may be lower than in Wisconsin, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level general machine operator. Additionally, a general machine operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average general machine operator salary

   $15.58hourly

   $32,414 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level general machine operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average general machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Wisconsin	$37,296	$18
   2	Minnesota	$34,688	$17
   3	Indiana	$34,344	$17
   4	Pennsylvania	$34,109	$16
   5	Ohio	$33,476	$16
   6	Illinois	$32,604	$16
   7	California	$32,244	$16
   8	Missouri	$32,143	$15
   9	Michigan	$32,042	$15
   10	Iowa	$31,142	$15
   11	North Carolina	$29,481	$14
   12	Georgia	$27,440	$13
   13	Tennessee	$25,684	$12

   Average general machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Reckitt Benckiser	$40,951	$19.69	8
   2	DuPont	$40,516	$19.48	22
   3	Cargill	$40,179	$19.32	98
   4	Ferrara Candy	$38,811	$18.66	3
   5	Red Gold	$38,593	$18.55	4
   6	Chemtrusion	$38,510	$18.51
   7	Interfor	$38,061	$18.30	10
   8	Baxter International	$37,855	$18.20	4
   9	Anheuser-Busch	$37,568	$18.06	45
   10	Columbus McKinnon	$37,272	$17.92	3
   11	The Kraft Heinz Company	$36,652	$17.62	33
   12	Eaton	$36,549	$17.57	70
   13	Tredegar	$36,414	$17.51	1
   14	Axalta	$36,337	$17.47
   15	International Paper	$35,842	$17.23	105
   16	Veolia Water Tech	$35,765	$17.19	41
   17	Sherwin-Williams	$35,382	$17.01	14
   18	Ferrero	$35,354	$17.00	2
   19	Volt Systems LLC	$35,321	$16.98
   20	Sandvik Coromant	$35,111	$16.88	3

4. Writing a general machine operator job description

   A good general 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 general machine operator job description:

   General machine operator job description example

   With trusted brands such as Pioneer, Corteva Agriscience is one of the world’s leading agricultural companies. Join us in helping farmers feed the world while protecting the planet. Work with great people in a safe and fast-paced environment.
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   The General Operator role has a seasonality effect. The type of work assigned will vary based on the current season. In spring and summer, you will be assigned to teams supporting a variety of responsibilities. You could spend time inspecting and maintaining our seed crops or you could support seed inventory management at the plant. Fall is a busy season with harvesting and seed packaging in full swing. In the winter, you’ll be cleaning & packaging seed, supporting maintenance work, warehousing and shipping seed to ensure our customers have the product they need for the coming planting season.
   
   KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
   • Knowledge of production agriculture and production plant operations
   • Ability to safely perform duties in timely fashion while maintaining seed quality
   • Ability to work independently or with a team
   • Ability to adjust to changing conditions and anticipate needs
   • Ability to make independent decisions
   
   QUALIFICATIONS/BASIC JOB REQUIREMENTS
   • Pass a background check and other pre-employment screenings
   • Have reliable transportation to the site and be able to arrive at the work site as instructed
   • Maintain enthusiasm, good attitude, honesty and a willingness to treat all with respect
   • Ability to work long hours and rotational shifts, including over-time as needed;
   • Ability to communicate verbally and written
   • Ability to lift, push, pull up to 60 pounds, work in and outdoors, walk on uneven surfaces
   
   Monitors and operates equipment and facilities, including field equipment, insuring quality and conformance with standard operating procedures. Maintains safety standards at all times and initiates and follows emergency procedures when necessary. Rotates through various roles within the area, including, in some cases, a control room rotation. Company DescriptionA career in motion is how you'll thrive and prosper. We work with tons of companies across the nation, and with our strong connections, we'll help take your career forward. At Kelly, we've been transforming ourselves for a while now - constantly striving to reach our full potential, so we can help you maximize yours. We'll help you find what's next.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit general machine operators, 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.

   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 machine operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect general machine 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 general machine 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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