How to hire a grain elevator operator

How to hire a grain elevator operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The grain elevator operator 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 grain elevator operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, grain elevator 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of grain elevator operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Grain Elevator Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Grain Elevator Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$14-23
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25
   Forklift Operator	Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Harvest
   • Ladders
   • Grain Elevator
   • Measure Materials
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Logistics
   • CDL
   • Commodities
   • Farm Equipment
   • Loaders
   • Grain Trucks
   • Semi Trucks
   • Load Trucks
   • Bobcat

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Work as a grain elevator operator for summer harvest
   • Help to design conveyance dollies which reduce assembly walk time and save space.
   • Perform job tasks in a safe manner in compliance with ADM safety programs and procedures.
   • Used agris while loading, also have telehandler and bobcat experience, also have grain grading experience
   • Drive and operate grain truck and semis, tractors, skid steers, augers, conveyors.
   • Repair machinery including: maintence payloaders skik loaders and forklifts.

   More grain elevator operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your grain elevator operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A grain elevator operator 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 grain elevator operator in Colorado may be lower than in Minnesota, and an entry-level grain elevator operator usually earns less than a senior-level grain elevator operator. Additionally, a grain elevator operator 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 grain elevator operator salary

   $38,730yearly

   $18.62 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level grain elevator operator salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average grain elevator operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	North Carolina	$44,219	$21
   2	Kansas	$40,319	$19
   3	Iowa	$39,362	$19
   4	Missouri	$35,381	$17
   5	Indiana	$34,547	$17

   Average grain elevator operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	General Mills	$39,102	$18.80	3
   2	CHS	$39,093	$18.79
   3	Big River Resources	$38,642	$18.58
   4	Savage	$38,295	$18.41	11
   5	Central Valley Homes	$38,188	$18.36	4
   6	C H & S Inc	$38,188	$18.36	15
   7	AG Partners LLC	$38,186	$18.36	1
   8	Bartlett and Company	$38,154	$18.34
   9	Innovative Ag Services Llc	$37,587	$18.07	1
   10	Conestoga	$37,178	$17.87
   11	The Andersons	$36,587	$17.59	4
   12	United Electric Cooperative Services, Inc.	$36,127	$17.37	11
   13	GROWMARK	$36,082	$17.35	11
   14	Columbia Grain Intl Inc	$35,712	$17.17
   15	Randstad North America, Inc.	$35,579	$17.11	7
   16	Smithfield Foods	$34,425	$16.55	6
   17	Tyson Foods	$33,241	$15.98	4
   18	Mountaire Farms	$32,537	$15.64	8
   19	MBS Solutions	$31,557	$15.17
   20	Aventure Staffing	$31,440	$15.12	5

4. Writing a grain elevator operator job description

   A grain elevator operator 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 grain elevator operator job description:

   Grain elevator operator job description example

   Operate conveyance equipment to move grain to and from storage. Unload and load trucks, shipping containers, and rail cars with grain. Operate other equipment and use hand tools to maintain good housekeeping standards and assist with minor repairs and maintenance.
   **Duties/Activities Required by Job**
   
   + Operate conveyance equipment to move grain to and from storage.
   
   + Operate grain drying equipment
   
   + Load grain for outbound shipment
   
   + Housekeeping & complete minor repairs
   
   + Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
   
   **Educations/Experience Requirements**
   
   + High School
   
   + 0-2 yrs
   
   + Previous work related skills. Ability to lift over 50 lbs.
   
   **ABOUT US**
   
   Are you looking for more than just a job? The culture at Mountaire is one of our greatest strengths and most valued assets. We maintain the same core values and family-focused work environment that we've operated with since day one. You will find that your peers, supervisor and team members are genuinely committed to, not only your success, but also working together to provide high-quality products to our customers. We are a service to one another and to our customers, demonstrating operational excellence and outstanding performance.
   
   **ABOUT THE TEAM**
   
   **Mountaire Overview**
   
   Mountaire Corporation and its two operating affiliates, Mountaire Farms Inc. and Mountaire Farms of Delaware, Inc. (collectively, "Mountaire Farms" or "Mountaire"), are agricultural food production and processing companies providing competitive jobs to almost 10,000 dedicated employees at facilities in Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Now the fourth largest chicken company in the United States, we are still family owned and fully committed to giving back to the communities where we do business. At Mountaire Farms, our culture is what defines us. It sets us apart from our competition and reinforces what we stand for. Supporting each other, uplifting each other, and helping each other succeed -- that's the Mountaire way! Our vision is to provide growth, stability, and opportunities for our people, our customers, and our communities by profitably delivering wholesome quality chicken.
   
   **Total Compensation**
   
   Mountaire also offers an amazing total compensation package! A few examples of our benefits that may be offered to you are: eight paid holidays, Medical Plans with free onsite Health and Wellness Centers, Dental and Vision Programs, Employee Assistance Program for you and your family, Retirement Planning with 401(k), Profit Sharing, Employee Discounted Chicken Sales, Employee Discounts with partners (Car Purchase, Phone Plans, & Shopping), Tuition Reimbursement at up to $6,000 annually, and many exciting career development programs!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right grain elevator operator 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.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with grain elevator operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of 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 grain elevator operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the grain elevator operator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   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.)

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