How to hire a grinder operator

How to hire a grinder operator, step by step

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

What does a grinder operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the grinder operator you need to hire. Certain grinder operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a grinder operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a grinder operator that fits the bill.

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

   Type of Grinder Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Grinder 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	$13-23
   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
   Assembling Machine Operator	An assembling machine operator's role is to ensure the efficiency of assembly machines by setting or positioning the necessary components according to their sequence. Moreover, they must monitor the materials that the device produces, implement corrective measures if necessary, make sure that the machine is in good condition to maintain a safe working environment, and coordinate with the managers or supervisors should there be any issues... Show more	$11-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Grinders
   • Grinding Machines
   • CNC
   • Grinding Wheels
   • Calipers
   • Good Communication
   • Math
   • Work Ethic
   • Hand Tools
   • Quality Standards
   • Basic Math
   • Perform Routine Maintenance
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Safety Standards

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
   • Utilize micrometers, calipers and preset gauges to monitor parts against require specifications.
   • Inspect and measure work pieces using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers for conformance to specifications.
   • Operate grinders proficiently minimizing downtime and maximizing output adhering to company safety standards
   • Mount grinding wheel and regulating wheel on spindles with wrenches.
   • Inspect parts using micrometers, indicators, comparators along with other tools.

   More grinder operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, grinder operators' average salary in indiana is 34% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level grinder operators 41% less than senior-level grinder operators.
   • Certifications. A grinder operator 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 grinder operator's salary.

   Average grinder operator salary

   $37,978yearly

   $18.26 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level grinder operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average grinder operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Oregon	$44,414	$21
   2	Minnesota	$41,560	$20
   3	California	$40,896	$20
   4	Wyoming	$39,955	$19
   5	Massachusetts	$39,434	$19
   6	Pennsylvania	$38,925	$19
   7	Utah	$38,282	$18
   8	Kansas	$37,549	$18
   9	Ohio	$36,840	$18
   10	Illinois	$35,964	$17
   11	Texas	$35,443	$17
   12	Mississippi	$32,401	$16

   Average grinder operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	BD	$50,559	$24.31	9
   2	Hoehn Plastics	$47,156	$22.67	1
   3	Kennametal	$46,893	$22.54	33
   4	North American Stainless	$44,739	$21.51
   5	Waupaca Foundry	$44,626	$21.45
   6	Voith GmbH	$43,965	$21.14	3
   7	Nordson	$42,588	$20.48	2
   8	Eaton	$39,902	$19.18	64
   9	Auburn Gear	$39,767	$19.12
   10	PPG	$39,648	$19.06	6
   11	Textron	$39,580	$19.03	28
   12	Belcan	$39,549	$19.01	1
   13	Dynex/Rivett	$39,508	$18.99
   14	SavATree	$39,306	$18.90	6
   15	Presrite	$39,219	$18.86
   16	RBC Bearings	$39,143	$18.82	5
   17	Ryerson	$39,038	$18.77	8
   18	Fives	$38,981	$18.74	2
   19	Cargill	$38,674	$18.59	74
   20	3M Company	$38,634	$18.57	51

4. Writing a grinder operator job description

   A good grinder 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 grinder operator job description:

   Grinder operator job description example

   Join our workshop in Federal Way, WA as a Grinder Operator 2nd Shift
   
   Our winning team is built by continuous investment in skills development, leadership, and well-being. We have an opening at our Federal Way, WA facility as a Grinder Operator.
   
   Looking for someone with a good mechanical aptitude and willing to learn how to work on paper machine rolls. Experience working with large, heavy manufacturing equipment with the ability to run overhead crane and forklifts safely and efficiently. A good understanding of how quality impacts the success of the organization including costs to customers, costs of in plant losses and the impact to a company's reputation. This includes taking the necessary steps to ensure quality on a consistent basis and striving for improvement.
   
   Requirements
   
   A high school education with previous manufacturing experience; ideally a minimum of three to five years' experience. Knowledge of papermaking machinery a plus, but not required. Willing to work with and train candidates with a high level of initiative and personal motivation.
   
   Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon a background check and pre-employment physical and drug screen.
   
   We Offer
   
   We offer a challenging and innovating work environment. Standard compensation includes a generous wage structure and a benefits package that includes a 401k with company match as well as a company-funded pension.
   
   Additional Information
   
   Delivering competitive technologies and services is what we do best. At Valmet, we continue to push forward and develop ourselves, concentrating on technology, services, sustainability, local presence, and our people.
   
   To be included in the recruiting process, please apply directly with us online.
   
   When everything works together
   
   Valmet is where the best talent from a wide variety of backgrounds comes together. With 17,000 professionals around the world, we are the leading global developer and supplier of technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper, and energy industries. Our commitment to moving our customer's performance forward requires creativity, technological innovations, service know-how - and above all, teamwork. Join the team! www.valmet.com/careers
   
   #Li-onsite

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting grinder operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 grinder operator

   Once you've found the grinder operator 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 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 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 grinder operator?