How to hire an injection molding technician

How to hire an injection molding technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step injection molding technician hiring guide:

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

What does an injection molding technician do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the injection molding technician you need to hire. Certain injection molding technician 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

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

   Type of Injection Molding Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Injection Molding Technician	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$17-28
   Die Setter	In manufacturing facilities, a die setter is primarily in charge of setting up machines and equipment, selecting and utilizing various tools, preparing molds, gathering measurements and analyzing data, keeping records, monitoring the operations of machinery, and processing products according to protocols. They may also conduct regular maintenance checks, troubleshoot errors, perform basic repairs or adjustments, and produce regular reports for managers... Show more	$13-22
   Plastics Seasoner Operator	Plastics seasoner operators do not need an education beyond a high school diploma or GED, but they do need experience with plastic parts, hand tools, excess materials, and RAN. Those who choose this career path will tend dry houses, cell dryers, or drying ovens that remove solvent contaminants from plastics... Show more	$12-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Auxiliary Equipment
   • Plastic Injection
   • Hand Tools
   • Calipers
   • Injection Molds
   • Mold Changes
   • ISO
   • OSHA
   • Grinders
   • Quality Standards
   • Quality Checks
   • Mold Maintenance
   • Lean Manufacturing

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist PMs in establishing effective project oversight and control, and in proactively identifying and managing project risks.
   • Monitor and prepare support equipment, including circulators, grinders, etc.
   • Assist in tip burns, sift changes, logo changes, and machine repairs.
   • Assemble car parts for Nissan.
   • Repair molds using CNC mills and lathes.
   • Wear proper PPE to protect yourself from hazard material.

   More injection molding technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your injection molding technician job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An injection molding technician 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 an injection molding technician in Montana may be lower than in Nebraska, and an entry-level injection molding technician usually earns less than a senior-level injection molding technician. Additionally, an injection molding technician 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 injection molding technician salary

   $47,557yearly

   $22.86 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level injection molding technician salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 23, 2025

   Average injection molding technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$53,693	$26
   2	Minnesota	$52,647	$25
   3	California	$51,913	$25
   4	Rhode Island	$51,245	$25
   5	New Hampshire	$49,449	$24
   6	Massachusetts	$49,184	$24
   7	Utah	$49,183	$24
   8	Washington	$48,524	$23
   9	Missouri	$46,647	$22
   10	Illinois	$46,479	$22
   11	Arizona	$43,182	$21
   12	Ohio	$42,949	$21
   13	Pennsylvania	$42,829	$21
   14	Wisconsin	$42,676	$21
   15	Florida	$40,826	$20
   16	Tennessee	$40,749	$20

   Average injection molding technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Pentair	$60,196	$28.94	5
   2	Graco	$58,580	$28.16
   3	Silgan Holdings	$56,834	$27.32
   4	Johnson & Johnson	$56,455	$27.14
   5	Toyota Boshoku America	$55,944	$26.90
   6	Polaris	$55,872	$26.86
   7	Thermo Fisher Scientific	$54,603	$26.25
   8	Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.	$54,426	$26.17
   9	Ducommun	$54,403	$26.16
   10	GPAC	$54,256	$26.08
   11	Sonoco	$54,216	$26.07
   12	Terumo Cardiovascular Group	$54,141	$26.03
   13	Silgan Containers	$54,042	$25.98	4
   14	Aptar	$53,866	$25.90
   15	PEAK Technical Staffing USA	$53,775	$25.85
   16	Dynatect Manufacturing	$53,605	$25.77
   17	Steris	$53,317	$25.63	2
   18	Nordson	$53,307	$25.63	1
   19	ITW	$53,156	$25.56	15
   20	Leviton	$53,108	$25.53	2

4. Writing an injection molding technician job description

   An injection molding technician 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. To help get you started, here's an example of an injection molding technician job description:

   Injection molding technician job description example

   Shifts Available: 2nd shift (4pm-12:00am), 3rd shift (12am-8am)

   Pay: $31.51/hr starting pay plus $.25 shift differential

   Pay Schedule: 3 months in $32.14/hr, 12 months in $32.76/hr

   *currently working 6 days/week*

   Full-time, Direct Hire, Hourly

   Activities:

   • Ensure the injection molding machines are set to the correct process parameters to produce quality, acceptable parts for production as set forth by the Process Engineers

   • Troubleshoot injection machines, robots, material feed systems, and EOAT (End of Arm Tooling

   • Perform changeovers on Engel, Krauss Maffei, and Husky high-tonnage injection molding presses

   • Troubleshoot Kuka and/or ABB robots and Piovan systems

   • Ensure machines are running efficiently; monitoring equipment and acting as first line of maintenance to prevent machine downtime

   Work experience requirements:

   • Prior plastic injection mold processing experience in the automotive industry, setting of process parameters (temperatures, pressures, speeds), experience with both hot and cold runner systems, multi-cavity molds, high tonnage molds

   • Experience performing mold changeovers and wearing safety equipment/harnesses

   • Technical training in Scientific Molding or RJG, Paulson, etc. a plus

   • 5 years’ minimum experience required with any of the following large tonnage injection molding presses: Engel, Krauss-Maffei, Husky, Van Dorn, HPM, Cincinnati Milacron, etc.

   Education Requirements:

   • Must have minimum High School Diploma / GED

   • Must have a clear understanding of injection molding processes and how the equipment functions

   • Must have basic computer skills

   • Basic skills such as reading, writing, and math

   • Must have good problem-solving skills

   • Must have the ability to lift/carry up to 50lbs without assistance

   • Must be able to bend, squat, and reach to achieve machine connections.

   • Must be able to distinguish colors (mold and machine connections are color-coded)

   • Must be able to wear a bump cap and or hard hat at all times while operating the overhead crane or while inside the Injection molding machines.

   • Must be able to push/pull on all serviceable connections (water, electrical, and hydraulic)

   • Must be able to move and or manipulate crane/mold lifting chains and hooks

   • Must be able to handle a high stress and fast passed environment

   • Must be able to work overtime to support vacation and call-out coverage

   • Must be able to operate an overhead crane safely and proficiently

   ** Must be authorized to work in the US for any employer indefinitely, regardless of visa transfer or sponsorship

   ** Must be able to pass a drug test and background check to be eligible for employment

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit injection molding technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 injection molding technician

   Once you have selected a candidate for the injection molding technician 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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How much does it cost to hire an injection molding technician?