How to hire an industrial worker

How to hire an industrial worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step industrial worker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an industrial worker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new industrial worker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an industrial worker, 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

   An industrial worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, industrial workers 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 industrial workers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Industrial Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Industrial Worker		$11-18
   Handle Machine Operator	A handle machine operator is responsible for operating production machines, conducting preventive maintenance, and ensuring optimal performance to prevent delays in orders or project deliverables. Handle machine operators analyze schematics and blueprints, inspect components for inconsistencies, replace defective parts, and upgrade systems as needed for higher operational efficiency... Show more	$11-17
   Production Internship	A production internship is a program for a college student who works as a support person and seeks experience in the film or television set. An intern will research topics using various sources such as the internet, assist production staff in developing relevant stories for the television, film, and social media and run errands for a particular project... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Industrial Cleaning
   • Pallets
   • Hand Tools
   • Assembly Line
   • Safety Standards
   • Pallet Jack
   • Safety Procedures
   • Temp Service
   • Warehouse Environment
   • Production Equipment
   • Unload Trucks
   • Machine Operation
   • RAN
   • Quality Standards

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maximize efficiency by critically evaluating resources by utilizing on-the-spot math and visualizing complete orders to minimize error before building a pallet.
   • Help develop acontrol atmosphere brazing oven for a new cupro braze radiator

   More industrial worker duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, industrial workers' average salary in florida is 40% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level industrial workers 38% less than senior-level industrial workers.
   • Certifications. An industrial worker 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 an industrial worker's salary.

   Average industrial worker salary

   $15.13hourly

   $31,464 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level industrial worker salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average industrial worker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$36,577	$18
   2	Iowa	$34,767	$17
   3	New York	$33,631	$16
   4	Ohio	$33,359	$16
   5	Montana	$32,910	$16
   6	Indiana	$32,631	$16
   7	Pennsylvania	$32,531	$16
   8	Illinois	$31,191	$15
   9	West Virginia	$30,845	$15
   10	Michigan	$30,732	$15
   11	Virginia	$30,570	$15
   12	Nebraska	$29,612	$14
   13	Texas	$29,359	$14
   14	New Jersey	$29,089	$14
   15	Tennessee	$28,231	$14
   16	Oklahoma	$27,611	$13
   17	Alabama	$25,484	$12
   18	Florida	$24,214	$12

   Average industrial worker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Clean Harbors	$37,712	$18.13	42
   2	BorgWarner	$36,543	$17.57
   3	Anheuser-Busch	$32,907	$15.82	17
   4	Aerotek	$31,482	$15.14	600
   5	Kelly Services	$31,329	$15.06	73
   6	Staffmark	$31,320	$15.06
   7	Adecco	$31,284	$15.04	610
   8	Caliper Family of Companies	$31,233	$15.02
   9	LaborMAX Staffing	$31,197	$15.00	18
   10	PeopleReady	$31,130	$14.97	792
   11	Onin Staffing	$31,059	$14.93
   12	DHL	$31,010	$14.91	2
   13	PeopleShare	$30,863	$14.84	6
   14	Automation Personnel Services	$30,625	$14.72	27
   15	MBS Solutions	$30,539	$14.68
   16	RESOURCE	$30,344	$14.59
   17	ManpowerGroup	$30,068	$14.46	170
   18	Schebler	$30,029	$14.44
   19	Thompson Ehle	$29,751	$14.30	2
   20	C&K Industrial Services	$29,707	$14.28

4. Writing an industrial worker job description

   An industrial worker 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 an industrial worker job description:

   Industrial worker job description example

   Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
   
   * Assemble, install, and align dies in press according to specifications.
   * Position work piece against fixtures or stops on machine bed or on die.
   * Start press and observe operation to detect misalignment or malfunction.
   * Complete basic machine troubleshooting and maintenance.
   * Inspect assemblies and installation for conformance to specifications.
   * Select appropriate type of sheet metal.
   * Measure appropriate size of sheet metal.
   * Operate fabricating machines such as shears, brakes, and presses, forming rolls to cut bend, block and form or straighten materials.
   * Use scribers, dividers, and squares to mark dimensions on material.
   * Measure and mark dimensions and reference lines on metal sheets.
   * Cut sheet metal by hand or using power shears.
   * Drill holes in metal for screws, bolts, and rivets.
   * Fasten seams or joints by welding, bolting, riveting, or soldering.
   * Maintain a clean and orderly work area.
   * Adheres to all safety standards and advocates safe work practices to coworkers
   * Other duties as assigned
   
   Qualifications and Requirements:
   
   Education: High School Diploma or GED
   
   Experience: Press operation, metal fabrication, welding, or assembly experience preferred.
   
   Necessary Skills:
   
   * Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.
   * Must be highly motivated and able to work independently.
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   * Must be able to stand or walk for long periods of time during a regular work day
   * Must be able to use arms and hands to reach for, handle, and manipulate objects
   * Must be able to climb up and down ladders
   * Must be able to work while in stooped, kneeling, or crouched position.
   * Must be able to lift 25 pounds on a regular basis.
   * Must be able to lift 100 pounds on an occasional basis.
   * Must be able to pull pallet jack weighing up to 200 pounds.
   * Will work in manufacturing environment that includes exposure to dirt, heat, noise, odors, vibration, dust, cold, and fumes.
   
   The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and requirements.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with industrial worker 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.

   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 industrial worker

   Once you've selected the best industrial worker 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.

   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 industrial worker 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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