How to hire a lathe machinist

How to hire a lathe machinist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lathe machinist hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the lathe machinist you need to hire. Certain lathe machinist 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

   A lathe machinist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lathe machinists 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 lathe machinists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Lathe Machinist	Description	Hourly rate
   Lathe Machinist	Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.	$14-24
   Grinder	Depending on the industry, a grinder has a diverse range of duties. Typically, they oversee setting up and operating bearing grinders, cam grinders, and CNC lathes... Show more	$12-19
   Tool Technician	Tool technicians are skilled professionals who are responsible for repairing a variety of pneumatic and hand tools as well as disassemble defective electrical equipment in a manufacturing firm using these hand tools. These technicians are required to coordinate with other areas of the company to schedule and perform preventive maintenance duties... Show more	$13-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC
   • Calipers
   • Machine Shop
   • Micrometers
   • GD
   • Grinders
   • Hand Tools
   • G Code
   • Lathe Machines
   • Machine Tools
   • Inspection Equipment
   • Lean Manufacturing
   • Aluminum
   • FANUC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
   • Float throughout the shop running multiple HAAS mills & lathes and Mazak Integrexes.
   • Used calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, thread gauges and other gauging require for the inspection of parts.
   • Experience working with FANUC controls.
   • Run and operate Mazak lathes and mills.
   • Set up and run Okuma lathes and some pm

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, lathe machinists' average salary in north carolina is 33% less than in new mexico.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lathe machinists 41% less than senior-level lathe machinists.
   • Certifications. A lathe machinist 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 a lathe machinist's salary.

   Average lathe machinist salary

   $39,651yearly

   $19.06 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lathe machinist salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a lathe machinist job description

   A job description for a lathe machinist 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 a lathe machinist job description:

   Lathe machinist job description example

   We are Precision Medical Technologies, a Contract Manufacturer of Orthopedic Implants and Instruments. We focus on progressive techniques, technology and innovation. Our team members are engaged, highly skilled and motivated. We are constantly striving to improve and better ourselves so that we can continue to grow as a team and as a business. If you want to be involved with new and complex parts and you thrive while doing something different every day, you are probably a great fit for our team!
   
   We offer tuition reimbursement, flexible scheduling, 401k match, competitive benefits, and a work environment where we encourage growth and learning. Our employee well-being is something we take seriously and offer different wellness programs and team events throughout the year. We partner with local the communities to offer help and support anyway we can and encourage our teams to get involved. At PreMedTec we not only make medical devices and instruments, we focus on creating a culture where everyone knows your name and can work together to get where we need to be.
   
   POSITION SUMMARY: The primary function of the Production or Advanced Machinist is to staff machine in production, monitor product as produced, and utilize skills listed below to assist Set-up and Advanced Machinists as needed.
   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (essential functions of the position):
   Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. For the assigned area and products:
   • Power up machines and zero return axis to the home position.
   • Follow prescribed quality procedures including, identifying all dimensions established at machining operation and check established dimensions via the in-process inspection sheet.
   • Make offsets to tools or work positions to obtain a dimensionally acceptable product.
   • Knowledge of surface finish and is capable of changing tools as required to maintain the finish.
   • Utilize shop traveler for use in production to verify correct material, size of the material, the quantity of material, any additional notes on material or work instructions that differ from customer print.
   • Knowledge and execution of start-up procedures following machine crash or major tool breakage.
   • Support workplace organization efforts including removing fixtures, vices, and stops and placing in the identified area following job, replacing tooling and small tools in the identified area following job, and cleaning machine.
   • Follow prescribed procedures for time reporting and scrap reporting via data collection to provide accurate data for job costing.
   • Follow prescribed safety procedures.
   
   ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS:
   • Education: High School diploma or equivalent.
   
   NONESSENTIAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS (not necessary but preferred):
   • Previous machining.
   • Blueprint reading.
   • Understanding and application of GD&T.
   
   PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK CONDITIONS:
   The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
   • Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment.
   • Eyesight and hearing must be correctable to a standard level.
   • Ability to lift a minimum of 25 lbs and up to 50 lbs daily.
   • Ability to stand for a minimum of 8 hours and up to 12 hours per day.
   The shift schedule is Monday night through Friday night, from 11:00 p.m to 7:30 a.m. the following day.
   Some Saturday hours may be available.
   Overtime is occasionally available with manager permission
   8.5 hour Workday with two 10 minute breaks.
   One unpaid half-hour lunch break.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find lathe machinists 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.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting lathe machinists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 lathe machinist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the lathe machinist 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 lathe machinist 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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