How to hire an inserter

How to hire an inserter, step by step

Here's a step-by-step inserter hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the inserter you need to hire. Certain inserter 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 inserter's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, inserters 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 inserter salaries for various roles:

   Type of Inserter	Description	Hourly rate
   Inserter		$12-51
   Document Reviewer	A document reviewer is typically a legal professional, such as an attorney or paralegal, who reviews a wide variety of documents gathered and prepared for legal procedures. The materials they review usually include emails, affidavits, letters, memos, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and transcripts... Show more	$12-49

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallets
   • Newspapers
   • Mailroom
   • Pallet Jack
   • Insert Machine
   • Bundling
   • Production Environment
   • Machine Operation
   • Assembly Line
   • Collating
   • JOG
   • RAN
   • Computer System
   • Stitching

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Arrange all newspapers schedule for distribution are correctly stack, align and secure on pallets for delivery.
   • Insert newspaper adds into a machine feeder and load newspapers on pallets to be carry out onto the trucks.
   • Bundle newspapers together for delivery drivers when finish inserting store ads.
   • End of the line sorting and bundling.
   • Monitor press machines as they run.
   • Stuff pillows and cushions for furniture production line.

   More inserter duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, inserters' average salary in wyoming is 60% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level inserters 77% less than senior-level inserters.
   • Certifications. An inserter 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 inserter's salary.

   Average inserter salary

   $52,867yearly

   $25.42 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level inserter salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average inserter salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$68,910	$33
   2	Michigan	$65,003	$31
   3	Virginia	$63,239	$30
   4	Delaware	$63,183	$30
   5	Maryland	$60,451	$29
   6	Ohio	$57,381	$28
   7	Wisconsin	$56,129	$27
   8	Missouri	$54,852	$26
   9	California	$54,217	$26
   10	North Carolina	$53,505	$26
   11	New Jersey	$52,797	$25
   12	Florida	$51,781	$25
   13	Louisiana	$49,803	$24
   14	Texas	$48,834	$23
   15	Georgia	$47,953	$23
   16	Colorado	$47,702	$23
   17	Nebraska	$46,894	$23
   18	Iowa	$46,379	$22
   19	Oklahoma	$46,260	$22
   20	Utah	$46,160	$22

   Average inserter salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	QPS	$53,694	$25.81
   2	RRD	$50,395	$24.23
   3	Resource One Credit Union	$44,810	$21.54
   4	Randstad North America, Inc.	$42,064	$20.22
   5	MediaNews Group	$39,882	$19.17
   6	Tulsa World	$37,190	$17.88
   7	Gannett	$33,249	$15.99	7
   8	Lee Enterprises	$29,775	$14.31	5

4. Writing an inserter job description

   An inserter 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 inserter job description:

   Inserter job description example

   The Times-News Packaging department has part time openings. Positions starts at $10 per hour depending on prior experience. Be part of a team that has positions to grow into!
   Duties include:
   
   * Load printed inserts into machinery.
   * Must be ready and able to work rotating schedule.
   * Work effectively in a team oriented environment.
   
   As a member of our packaging team, candidates must possess:
   
   * ability to lift newspaper bundles up to 15-20 lbs.
   * physical capability of standing, bending, stooping, twisting, crouching, and lifting repeatedly throughout a shift
   * ability to learn and follow direction
   * attention to detail
   * ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers
   * ability to work a varied schedule and weekends are included
   * promptness and reliability to work
   * hand and eye coordination
   * willingness to learn and assist in setup of equipment
   * must be at least 18 years of age
   
   To learn more about our company or to apply, please log on to www.lee.net/careers
   
   We are a drug-free workplace and all applicants considered for employment must pass a post-offer drug screen and background prior to commencing employment. EOE
   
   Why Join Us?
   
   Lee Enterprises offers competitive wages in a dynamic, interesting work environment with career growth opportunities. We offer an extensive benefit program that can be personalized to your needs. Our benefit program includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, company provided life insurance and supplemental life insurance. In addition, we offer a 401K retirement plan with company match. We also offer generous paid time off to allow the flexibility to balance personal life and work. This includes paid parental leave for new parents.
   
   Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of high-quality local news, with 77 daily newspapers in 26 states that have print, digital and e-replica versions. Lee's newspapers have a combined circulation of more than 1.2 million daily. Our digital sites attract more than 44 million unique visits monthly. We also have a rapidly growing roster of digital products for consumers, and are committed to aggressive digital growth.
   
   Lee Enterprises is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting and retaining a workforce whose diversity reflects the communities we serve. Lee embraces change, and we recognize that we must create and maintain a culture of fervent inclusion. For more information about Lee, check us out at www.lee.net.
   
   We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you are excited about this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply.
   
   Other details
   
   * Job Family Multiple Dept
   * Pay Type Hourly
   
   Apply Now
   
   * Twin Falls, ID, USA

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find inserters for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any inserters they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level inserters with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your inserter job on Zippia to find and recruit inserter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit inserters, 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.

   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 inserter

   Once you've selected the best inserter 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 inserter 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 an inserter?