How to hire an insert operator

How to hire an insert operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step insert operator hiring guide:

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

What does an insert operator do?

Post an insert operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an insert operator, 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an insert 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 an insert operator that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of insert operators.

   Type of Insert Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Insert Operator		$12-19
   Mailroom Clerk	A mailroom clerk specializes in handling and distributing mail and packages within a company or establishment, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. They are responsible for scanning and sorting out every parcel through a system, making sure to document everything in and out of the building... Show more	$11-17
   Mail Clerk	A mail clerk is responsible for sorting and processing mails for the business. Mail clerks' duties include maintenance of mailing supplies by regularly monitoring inventory, forwarding incoming mails and safe packages to appropriate departments, labeling outgoing mails with secured packaging, keeping records of acknowledged mails, and returning misdirected mails to the correct recipient... Show more	$10-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Quality Standards
   • Quality Checks
   • Machine Operation
   • Routine Maintenance
   • APS
   • Hand Tools
   • USPS
   • Insert Machine
   • Production Standards
   • Stitching
   • Production Equipment
   • Financial Statements
   • Pitney Bowes
   • Postal Regulations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
   • Operate PC and rf-base computer systems with a high level of accuracy.
   • Mail sorting, prepare mail for USPS, and other methods of shipping.
   • Sort tray, strap and prepare finished mail pieces in compliance with USPS regulations.
   • Supervise over technicians who work the manual labor of creating book, magazines and catalogs.
   • Make sure all work is put in the computer properly to be run in the machine.

   More insert operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the insert operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. An insert operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for an insert operator in Iowa may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level insert operator. Additionally, an insert operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average insert operator salary

   $15.60hourly

   $32,457 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level insert operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average insert operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$34,760	$17
   2	Michigan	$34,485	$17
   3	Missouri	$34,203	$16
   4	California	$34,187	$16
   5	Colorado	$33,706	$16
   6	Minnesota	$33,700	$16
   7	Utah	$33,136	$16
   8	Ohio	$32,932	$16
   9	Illinois	$32,881	$16
   10	Wisconsin	$32,126	$15
   11	Pennsylvania	$31,856	$15
   12	Indiana	$31,809	$15
   13	Nebraska	$31,418	$15
   14	Arkansas	$30,660	$15
   15	North Carolina	$29,828	$14
   16	Texas	$29,730	$14
   17	South Carolina	$27,661	$13
   18	Florida	$25,611	$12

   Average insert operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	ABB	$38,159	$18.35	14
   2	Raymond James Financial	$37,811	$18.18
   3	Quad	$37,426	$17.99	11
   4	CSG	$37,177	$17.87	2
   5	Broadridge	$35,222	$16.93	43
   6	Bowne & Co	$33,735	$16.22
   7	Fidelity National Information Solutions	$33,519	$16.11	6
   8	Allied Printing	$32,915	$15.82	1
   9	FIS	$32,889	$15.81	5
   10	Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$32,861	$15.80	5
   11	Centene	$32,843	$15.79
   12	Benchmark Human Services	$32,812	$15.78
   13	Fiserv	$32,809	$15.77	6
   14	Paychex	$32,608	$15.68
   15	RRD	$32,473	$15.61	53
   16	MW Industries	$32,396	$15.57	2
   17	QPS	$32,324	$15.54
   18	Staffing 360 Solutions	$32,072	$15.42
   19	Taylor Corporation	$31,810	$15.29	8
   20	Epsilon	$31,701	$15.24

4. Writing an insert operator job description

   A job description for an insert 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 an insert operator job description:

   Insert operator job description example

   Production opportunities at Quad instill a sense of empowerment and possibility distinct from those at other employers. Quad's state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities include world-class automation and binding technology. Our platform gives our clients a full range of options to produce personalized marketing products. Fueled by innovative, interesting days, you'll find hard work is good work, and feel a deep sense of pride in a job well done - something shared by everyone in the community we call Quad.
   Quad is currently hiring Essential Workers who want to make a difference - Imagine more than you have today. Your career starts here. Be greater than you thought possible and reap the rewards of your success and growth. We are in the business of developing people. Promotions are based on your performance - You are in charge of your career!
   
   At Quad, you have immediate opportunities to advance - driving you to be better than yesterday. Through our Accelerated Training program, we will teach you a skilled trade and give you the opportunity to earn up to $23.00 in your first 2 years . In addition, we value and reward manufacturing experience by providing a competitive wage. Individuals with print experience can have a starting wage up to $27/hr. As your career progresses, there are multiple upward paths available, as we are continuously looking for our next group of leaders to excel within the organization.
   
   The Pewaukee printing plant is the birthplace of Quad. Harry V. Quadracci founded the company at the Pewaukee location, a vacant factory, in 1971 with one press and one saddle stitcher. In 2008, the plant was repurposed as a direct mail facility and became the headquarters for our direct marketing operations. Our employees have access to an onsite fitness center that is open 24/7. We offer competitive pay, health, dental, optical, pharmacy, life insurance, 401k, vacation, and other great benefits.
   
   Quad is a Wisconsin-based company, which is among the largest magazine and direct-mail printers in the U.S. Our company leverages its strong print foundation as part of a much larger, robust integrated marketing services platform that helps marketers and content creators improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their marketing spend across offline and online media channels.
   
   Quad is closely following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and implementing processes that promote the safety of our employees, candidates, customers and communities. We follow CDC and local health authorities, federal and state governments along with best practices and recommendations from our healthcare subsidiary, QuadMed.
   
   BE YOUR OWN SUCCESS STORY. BE SOMETHING GREATER. BE QUAD.
   
   Job Overview:
   
   We are currently seeking full-time Insert Operator employees to grow with us! The position includes the opportunity to learn the printing process from the ground up and advance in a progressive environment. In this position you will assist in the creation of various well-known direct marketing pieces and other related products in our Finishing department.
   
   
   
   Additional Company Information
   
   We offer excellent benefits to eligible employees, including 401(k), holidays, vacations and more.
   
   Quad is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to creating a place of belonging - a space where employees do not need to sacrifice who they are to exist and grow in our workplace. Quad does not discriminate on any unlawful basis including race, religion, color, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Quad also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.
   
   Drug Free Workplace

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with insert operator 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.

   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 insert operator

   Once you've found the insert 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new insert operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire an insert operator?