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How to hire an irrigation installation specialist

Irrigation installation specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring irrigation installation specialists in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire an irrigation installation specialist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new irrigation installation specialist to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an irrigation installation specialist, step by step

To hire an irrigation installation specialist, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a irrigation installation specialist:

Here's a step-by-step irrigation installation specialist hiring guide:

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

    The irrigation installation specialist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect irrigation installation specialist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    Here's a comparison of irrigation installation specialist salaries for various roles:

    Type of Irrigation Installation SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Irrigation Installation SpecialistConstruction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.$11-18
    Marine Pipefitter HelperMarine Pipefitter Helpers are apprentices to marine pipefitters responsible for installing and assembling piping systems for water purposes. Their duties include creating pipe section layouts, reading blueprints, sourcing pipe material and equipment, and inspecting work sites... Show more$14-22
    Irrigation TechnicianAn irrigation technician is responsible for installing, testing, and maintaining irrigation equipment such as sprinklers, suction valves, and pumps. Typical duties for this position include operating heavy machinery for trenching, installing wiring systems for irrigation timers, and inspecting equipment for a day's work... Show more$12-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Sprinkler Heads
    • GRASS
    • Sprinkler Systems
    • Hand Tools
    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Lawn Care
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Irrigation Maintenance
    • PVC
    • Plumbing
    • Trenchers
    • Sprinklers
    • Water Lines
    • General Maintenance
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage and execute POS installation schedule for new merchants, including providing POS training to new clients and sales partners.
    • Assist in the installation of sprinklers, water lines, pumps, suction devices, valves and other plumbing equipment.
    • Maintain irrigation equipment, which include sprinklers, water lines, pumps, suction devices, valves and other plumbing equipment.
    • Install sprinkler systems, plant new grass and plants and do all other gardening for commercial and residential contracts.
    • Promote again and assist with installation of golf irrigation lines, sprinklers, troubleshooting and repair of irrigation problems.
    • Experience work with copper soldering and pvc.
    More irrigation installation specialist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the irrigation installation specialist job description is a good way to get more applicants. An irrigation installation specialist 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 irrigation installation specialist in Tennessee may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level irrigation installation specialist. Additionally, an irrigation installation specialist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average irrigation installation specialist salary

    $14.61hourly

    $30,398 yearly

    Entry-level irrigation installation specialist salary
    $23,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average irrigation installation specialist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1North Dakota$37,229$18
    2New York$33,954$16
    3California$33,629$16
    4New Jersey$33,387$16
    5Colorado$27,847$13
    6Oregon$27,199$13
    7Washington$27,006$13
    8North Carolina$25,447$12
    9Florida$24,199$12
    10Oklahoma$23,370$11
    11Texas$23,122$11

    Average irrigation installation specialist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Stanford University$43,425$20.882
    2University of California-Berkeley$42,530$20.45
    3University of California$39,271$18.88
    4The Walt Disney Company$37,972$18.26
    5California Institute of Technology$37,240$17.90
    6San Jose State University$33,823$16.26
    7Best Friends Animal Society$31,991$15.38
    8SavATree$30,610$14.72
    9The Budd Group$30,582$14.701
    10PRT Offshore$30,483$14.66
    11Css Farms$29,846$14.35
    12Relay Resources$29,776$14.32
    13Rice University$28,024$13.47
    14South Suburban Parks and Recreation$27,749$13.34
    15Newark Unified School District$27,597$13.27
    16PrideStaff$27,466$13.20
    17Aims Community College$27,004$12.98
    18South Dakota Board Of Regents$26,013$12.51
    19City of Colleyville$25,872$12.44
  4. Writing an irrigation installation specialist job description

    A good irrigation installation specialist job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an irrigation installation specialist job description:

    Irrigation installation specialist job description example


    Compensation & Benefits
    $600-800/week per year salary, based on experience

    Retirement plan with company match

    Paid holiday and earned paid time off

    Job Summary

    • The Irrigation Technician is responsible for working as a team member under the direct supervision of the Project Manager. The Irrigation Technician is responsible for executing irrigation inspection systems; in an efficient manner, promote worksite safety, providing excellent customer service, and exhibit pride and quality workmanship. Plans and designs irrigation system layouts and minor landscape projects; calculates sprinkler system capacities and estimates materials and equipment requirements. Installs new irrigation layouts and/or modifies existing systems.
    Job Requirements:

    • Must be able to work a 5-day schedule, may include weekends and holidays.
    • Must be able to show proof of legal authorization to work in the United States.
    • Highly motivated, self-driven, and detailed oriented.
    • Must be professional in appearance and actions.
    • Maintain good attendance record as well as good punctuality.
    • Understands and adheres to company/safety policies, proper lifting techniques, and heat stress.
    • Must be able to work with irrigation hand tools properly, efficiently, and safely, and gas-powered equipment.
    • Must be able to identify watering needs of commonly used plants, trees, and turf in the OKC area.
    • Knowledge of two-wire systems strongly preferred.
    • OK Landscape Irrigator or Irrigation Technicians License strongly preferred not required
    • Must pass a criminal background check.
    • If driving for the company, must have and maintain a valid state issued driver’s license as well as clear driving record.
    Duties and Responsibilities:

    • Attend training and safety meetings and apply the subject matter to day-to-day task.
    • Follow directions given by Project Manager.
    • Work as part of a team.
    • Always represent the company’s best interest, maintain the highest level of integrity and professionalism.
    • Identify, correct, or report work hazards on job sites.
    • Must be able to safely inspect, perform preventative maintenance on small engine power equipment.
    • Execute lock out / tag out procedures on small equipment.
    • Ability to diagnose, repair, and install new irrigation systems
    • Properly excavate, back fill and compact trenches.
    • Cut and glue PVC pipe and fittings.
    • Run and connect irrigation wire.
    • Safely load and secure pipe and irrigation parts for transport in work vehicle.
    • Program, trouble shoot, repair, trace wires, on existing and new irrigation controllers and systems for commercial and residential accounts.
    • Repair drip hose and fittings, adjust nozzles and spray patterns on different types of sprinkler heads.
    • Maintain detailed records of irrigation maintenance activities, completed work orders, inventory and time sheets.
    • Manage budgeted man hours per job.
    • Communicate equipment, labor, material requests, and follow direction given by Project Manager.
    • Communicate and coordinate work with other trades on site.
    • Assist with accident and incident reports.
    • Identify utility line locations at job sites before digging
    • Perform other duties as assigned.
    Knowledge, Skills & Abilities · Ability to work successfully as a member of a team and independently with moderate supervision.· Ability to understand and follow instructions.
    • Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
    • Ability to set priorities and complete assignments on time.
    • Knowledge of the planting and care of trees, shrubbery, flowers, and grass.
    • Skill in the use of grounds-keeping hand tools and equipment, in the operation of motorized and gas-operated equipment.
    • Skill in determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

    This franchise is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this franchisee should be made directly to the franchisee, and not to America's Swimming Pool Corporate.

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find irrigation installation specialists for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    To find irrigation installation specialist candidates, you can consider the following options:
    • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
    • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as constructionjobs.
    • Post your job on free job posting websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit irrigation installation specialists, 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.

    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 irrigation installation specialist

    Once you've selected the best irrigation installation specialist 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 irrigation installation specialist 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 irrigation installation specialist?

There are different types of costs for hiring irrigation installation specialists. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new irrigation installation specialist employee.

You can expect to pay around $30,398 per year for an irrigation installation specialist, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for irrigation installation specialists in the US typically range between $11 and $18 an hour.

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