How to hire a handle machine operator

How to hire a handle machine operator, step by step

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

What does a handle machine operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the handle machine operator you need to hire. Certain handle machine 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

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

   Here's a comparison of handle machine operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Handle Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Handle Machine Operator		$11-17
   Production Operator	A production operator is responsible for handling and monitoring manufacturing machines in a factory or similar establishment, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and according to schedule. Aside from assisting with the processing and packaging of goods, a production operator must also conduct necessary inspections to the machine or equipment that they are using to make sure that it is in good condition and is safe to use... Show more	$12-21
   Pack Out Operator	A pack out operator is a manufacturing or packaging operation employee responsible for the final packaging of goods prior to shipping. Pack out operators come in at the last stage of the manufacturing process to ensure readiness... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Forklifts
   • Cranes
   • Production Lines
   • Safety Procedures
   • Customer Orders
   • Electric Pallet Jack
   • Quality Standards
   • Assembly Line
   • CNC
   • Load Trucks
   • Machine Operation
   • Safety Rules
   • Production Process
   • Mathematics

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate CNC to manufacture table tops, end tables, desks, and other products.
   • Produce machined parts by programming, setting up and operation a computer numerical control CNC machine.
   • Document lens specifications according to FDA regulations.
   • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
   • Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

   More handle machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, handle machine operators' average salary in wyoming is 50% less than in pennsylvania.
   • Seniority. Entry-level handle machine operators 36% less than senior-level handle machine operators.
   • Certifications. A handle machine 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 handle machine operator's salary.

   Average handle machine operator salary

   $14.23hourly

   $29,598 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level handle machine operator salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average handle machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$32,076	$15
   2	Connecticut	$31,927	$15
   3	Pennsylvania	$31,697	$15
   4	Illinois	$30,126	$14
   5	Minnesota	$28,953	$14
   6	Indiana	$28,387	$14
   7	Delaware	$28,263	$14
   8	Massachusetts	$28,082	$14
   9	Arizona	$27,918	$13
   10	Ohio	$27,221	$13
   11	Michigan	$25,332	$12
   12	South Dakota	$25,323	$12
   13	Missouri	$25,176	$12
   14	North Carolina	$25,020	$12
   15	Texas	$24,861	$12
   16	Wisconsin	$24,719	$12
   17	Florida	$24,086	$12
   18	Mississippi	$23,565	$11
   19	Georgia	$23,462	$11
   20	Arkansas	$23,081	$11

   Average handle machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Land O'Lakes	$40,539	$19.49	56
   2	Alro Steel	$39,068	$18.78	34
   3	Adhesives Research	$35,100	$16.88	4
   4	The Mundy Companies	$35,024	$16.84	6
   5	J.P. Morgan	$34,487	$16.58
   6	MAC Valves	$33,290	$16.00
   7	Nuspire	$31,970	$15.37
   8	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	$31,765	$15.27	69
   9	Shaw Industries	$31,199	$15.00	6
   10	Ryerson	$31,024	$14.92	10
   11	Westside	$30,941	$14.88	5
   12	Metals	$30,496	$14.66
   13	Allina Health	$30,286	$14.56	2
   14	LGS Technologies	$29,700	$14.28	1
   15	Caliper Family of Companies	$29,546	$14.20
   16	Aerotek	$29,293	$14.08	924
   17	Allegiance Staffing	$29,286	$14.08	21
   18	Wiley Metal	$29,237	$14.06
   19	The Reserves Network	$29,225	$14.05	46
   20	Kelly Services	$29,194	$14.04	269

4. Writing a handle machine operator job description

   A handle machine 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 handle machine operator job description:

   Handle machine operator job description example

   We have immediate openings for Machine Operators at a well-known beverage manufacturing company in Milwaukee!
   2nd shift must be able to flex to 3rd shift if needed
   $15-17/hr BOE
   Temp to Hire
   
   Job Description:
   Operate, maintain and troubleshoot multiple pieces of production equipment in execution of daily production schedule according to the SOP for production equipment.
   
   What would success look like?
   Perform necessary pre-operation activities to ensure proper equipment start up and operation Operate/Monitor equipment during operation to ensure quality product and minimal unplanned stops Accurately and efficiently perform steps necessary to conduct flavor/package changes and proper shut-downs to minimize down-time wasted resources Maintain clean work environment and production area Perform all tasks in a safe manner and uphold safety standards Perform Quality Checks as required Communicate with team members and support teams to ensure continuous production of the correct product at high-quality levels with minimal wasted time and materials Participate in daily team/shift meetings and other work-related activities
   Qualifications
   Experience in reading and following written SOP’ s (Standard Operating Procedures) or instructions Competency in the operation/monitoring of two or more related and/or interdependent processes Must have basic mechanical and troubleshooting skills Familiarity/Experience with up-stream and down-stream processes is preferred Competency in monitoring and adjusting equipment speeds, pressures, & temperatures using simple tools as needed Ability and experience in starting/stopping equipment and operating equipment in “ auto” and “ manual/jog” Ability and experience in making mechanical/pneumatic/hydraulic adjustments to “ fine-tune” processes based on observations of equipment operation Simple process understanding Simple tool usage Must be able to complete work requests and forms (handwritten and/or computer-based) to accurately document production/downtime Must be able to follow verbal instructions Strong math skills Ability to lift 50 pounds on a repetitive basis Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend and stoop throughout shift Ability to work in extreme temperatures and work in noisy conditions
   Preferred
   Prior Forklift experience is a plus Previous experience working in a high-speed manufacturing environment is strongly preferred Prior machine operator experience is strongly desired
   
   About SITE Staffing, Inc.
   
   With over 25 years of experience, SITE Staffing, Inc. Is the staffing agency of choice for Milwaukee and the surrounding area. Employees trust us because they know we will match them with real opportunities at great organizations. Whether you are looking for a temporary assignment or a permanent position, we are here to help you reach your employment goals.
   
   At SITE Staffing we value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We have been awarded the “ Five Star Invest in Vets” employer rating by the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber in recognition of our commitment to hiring, training, and retaining veterans, service members, and military spouses. We are an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, and we are the 2019 recipient of the BBB’ s Torch Award for Ethics.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right handle 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 handle machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit handle 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 handle 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.

   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 handle machine operator

   Once you've selected the best handle machine operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the 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 handle 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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How much does it cost to hire a handle machine operator?