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How to hire a grinding machine operator

Grinding machine operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring grinding machine operators in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a grinding machine operator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new grinding machine operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a grinding machine operator, step by step

To hire a grinding machine operator, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a grinding machine operator:

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

    Before you post your grinding machine operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a grinding machine operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

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

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

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

    Type of Grinding Machine OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Grinding Machine OperatorMetal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.$14-21
    Set-Up OperatorA machine set-up operator operates machinery such as grinders, bores, and mills. They prepare machines to be used by organizing tools, setting valve directions, sharpening tools as needed, positioning tools, and conducting regular maintenance.$13-25
    Molder OperatorA molder operator sets up for the production of millwork, which is a crucial and major output of precision wood products. This position requires experience with all machinery associated with the woodworking industry... Show more$12-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Grinders
    • Grinding Wheels
    • Micrometers
    • CNC
    • Calipers
    • Grinding Machines
    • Hand Tools
    • Gauges
    • Machine Operation
    • Basic Math
    • Blueprint Specifications
    • Spindles
    • Jigs
    • RAN
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Verify conformance to specifications, using gauges, calipers, templates.
    • Control face, side, and outside diameter CNC grinding machines in day-to-day assignments involving industrial see sharpening.
    • Operate machines to place grinding parts on size using calipers.
    • Operate CNC lathes as well as various shop machinery, also do inspection.
    • Follow standardized company general manufacturing procedures (GMP) throughout shift.
    • Participate in technical support and assist validation and QA department during equipment validation.
    More grinding machine operator duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your grinding machine operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A grinding machine operator salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, grinding machine operators' average salary in tennessee is 33% less than in massachusetts.
    • Seniority. Entry-level grinding machine operators earn 33% less than senior-level grinding machine operators.
    • Certifications. A grinding machine operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a grinding machine operator's salary.

    Average grinding machine operator salary

    $37,288yearly

    $17.93 hourly rate

    Entry-level grinding machine operator salary
    $30,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 11, 2025

    Average grinding machine operator salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$46,035$22
    2Connecticut$45,462$22
    3Michigan$40,507$19
    4Wisconsin$38,892$19
    5Minnesota$38,399$18
    6New Jersey$38,373$18
    7Ohio$38,127$18
    8Illinois$37,742$18
    9California$37,264$18
    10Texas$35,997$17
    11Florida$35,112$17
    12North Carolina$32,989$16

    Average grinding machine operator salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Danaher$44,491$21.3910
    2SinterMet$41,980$20.185
    3SP Industries$41,829$20.111
    4OSI Group$41,214$19.81
    5Smithfield Foods$40,396$19.424
    6Toro$40,292$19.373
    7Stanley Black & Decker$40,165$19.3132
    8Eaton$40,132$19.2947
    9Sodexo Management, Inc.$39,513$19.006
    10United Performance Metals$39,242$18.875
    11Broadwind Energy$39,234$18.86
    12Meyer Tool$39,214$18.859
    13Kimco Staffing Services Inc$38,917$18.711
    14Aquinas Consulting$38,839$18.672
    15Crown Holdings$38,326$18.438
    16Advantage xPO$37,774$18.16
    17Randstad North America, Inc.$37,431$18.007
    18Remedy Intelligent Staffing$37,266$17.92
    19Kelly Services$37,263$17.91124
    20ManpowerGroup$36,453$17.53198
  4. Writing a grinding machine operator job description

    A job description for a grinding machine operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a grinding machine operator job description:

    Grinding machine operator job description example

    High school diploma or equivalent, and generally 2-5 years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

    Communication Skills

    Ability to read, write and understand English to comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos as well to write simple correspondence. Able to communicate problems to supervisor or lead.

    Mathematical Skills

    Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

    Reasoning Ability

    Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to solve practical problems and seek supervisors for clarity.

    Work Environment

    • Follows safe work practices and maintains an organized and neat work area. This includes identifying potential risks and recommending/implementing remediations to those risks.
    • Extensive interaction over the entire manufacturing floor requires significant standing and walking on an ongoing basis and the team leader must have the ability to sit and stand, use arms, hands and fingers to perform routine administrative duties and lift 50 lbs.
    • Requires close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less); Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point).
    • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. Employees required to wear personal protective equipment as called out by work instructions and management direction.

    Additional Responsibilities

    • Able to apply regulatory (AS9100, ISO9001) requirements in everyday activities.
    • Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.
    • Must be able to maintain confidentiality and guard the integrity of proprietary information.
    • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for this position.
    • Demonstrate a high level of professionalism.
    • Able to work in a fast paced environment.
    • Able to work well under pressure and maintain a positive, enthusiastic attitude.
    • Eager to learn and expand responsibilities.
    • Other duties as assigned by Management.
  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right grinding machine 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 grinding machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit grinding machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting grinding machine 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.

    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 grinding machine operator

    Once you have selected a candidate for the grinding machine 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new grinding machine operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  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 grinding machine operator?

There are different types of costs for hiring grinding machine operators. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new grinding machine operator employee.

You can expect to pay around $37,288 per year for a grinding machine operator, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for grinding machine operators in the US typically range between $14 and $21 an hour.

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