Post job

How to hire a lead foreman

Lead foreman hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring lead foremen in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a lead foreman is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per lead foreman on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 17,184 lead foremen in the US and 10,595 job openings.
  • Grantsville, MD, has the highest demand for lead foremen, with 4 job openings.
  • Dallas, TX has the highest concentration of lead foremen.

How to hire a lead foreman, step by step

To hire a lead foreman, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a lead foreman:

Here's a step-by-step lead foreman hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a lead foreman job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead foreman
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
jobs
Post a lead foreman job for free, promote it for a fee
  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The lead foreman 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?

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

    Type of Lead ForemanDescriptionHourly rate
    Lead Foreman$20-41
    Construction SupervisorConstruction supervisors ensure construction team members work jointly to deliver excellent work on time. They provide team-building sessions and training and monitor the construction processes... Show more$20-44
    Project SupervisorA project supervisor is someone employed in industries like engineering, construction, manufacturing, as well as design and marketing industries to coordinate all aspects of a project. Common duties include participating in project planning, acting as a communication liaison, coordinating labor needs, and training employees... Show more$13-46
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • ISO
    • CDL
    • Safety Guidelines
    • PIM
    • Safety Procedures
    • HVAC
    • Electrical Equipment
    • DOT
    • Construction Projects
    • Construction Sites
    • Bobcat
    • PVC
    • Mowing
    • Safety Standards
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage and perform all excavations.
    • Terminate the MCC and the PLC for the new installation.
    • Coordinate with EHS department for all regulatory, safety and environmental issues.
    • Enforce company policies and OSHA regulations, investigate construction accidents utilizing knowledge gain through cooperation with safety department and law enforcement.
    • Addressed, resolve, produce FCR, DCN, and RFI's.
    • Plan review, tracking of monthly costs, processing of RFI, s and submittals, monthly reports.
    More lead foreman duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your lead foreman job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A lead foreman 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 a lead foreman in Iowa may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level lead foreman usually earns less than a senior-level lead foreman. Additionally, a lead foreman 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 lead foreman salary

    $60,787yearly

    $29.22 hourly rate

    Entry-level lead foreman salary
    $42,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 19, 2025

    Average lead foreman salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$68,320$33
    2Colorado$67,137$32
    3Kansas$55,891$27
    4Utah$55,119$27
    5Alabama$52,419$25
    6North Carolina$51,547$25
    7Idaho$49,700$24

    Average lead foreman salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Briggs Electric$53,918$25.92
    2UMC Moving$51,538$24.78
    3Beitzel$51,334$24.688
    4Pike$51,155$24.5938
  4. Writing a lead foreman job description

    A job description for a lead foreman 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 lead foreman job description:

    Lead foreman job description example

    Fifty years ago, the owner and his family started a plumbing business with the vision to provide quality service while helping others learn about the trade. Today, the same owner and his family continues to lead the industry in commercial HVAC and Plumbing by providing a clean, quality service for the communities we help build. With the passion to teach others the trade and great people on our team, we continue to lead the industry and experience continuous growth. If you have a passion to provide quality service and have the desire to continue to learn and advance in the trade, we have growth and leadership opportunities for you.

    Grow Your Career with UMC, Inc.

    HVAC Superintendent Benefits
    • TOP MARKET PAY
    • Excellent Stability and Growth Opportunities
    • Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, Life Insurance for you and your family
    • Paid Time Off Date of Hire
    • Paid Holidays
    • 401K w/ 6% Company Match
    • Profit Sharing
    • Company Vehicle
    • Family/Friend Referral Program
    • Excellent Company Culture

    HVAC Superintendent Pay Range (Hourly)

    $37.00 - $41.00 / hour

    Actual pay depends on education, experience, and performance.

    This position organizes and supervises project teams that include team leads, journeymen, apprentices, contractors, and laborers throughout the project cycle. The successful HVAC Site Superintendent is highly skilled in working with teams to provide the highest levels of safety, pre-planning, productivity, quality, and efficiency in the competitive construction market, while incorporating UMC's Vision, Mission, and Core Values .

    HVAC Superintendent Responsibilities and Duties (Essential Job Functions)
    • Ensures the project progresses on schedule, with the highest priorities on safety, quality, and productivity.
    • Works with the Project Manager to generate and submit request for Information, or RFIs during pre-planning and as needed throughout the project cycle.
    • Works with Purchasing and the Project Manager to ensure materials are staged as needed and meets contractual requirements.
    • Appropriately sets goals and expectations for their crews and documents their progress.
    • Teaches others the trade with patience while providing just in time feedback on Safety, Quality and Productivity. Comfortable holding team accountable to UMC, Inc. standards; documenting when necessary.
    • Mentors crew members to achieve safety, quality, and productivity goals; sets the example for the Team.
    • Monitors all crew members multiple times each day to ensure best practices.
    • Treats all employees and others with respect and dignity and incorporates UMC's Vision, Mission, and Core Values always; leads by example.
    • Approves all time worked daily.
    • Sets aside time daily for required Job Safety Assessments and other project documentation.
    • Attends all required meetings and creates a realistic work plan and schedule (pre-plan) at least weekly.
    • Performs and supports other duties or tasks that may be assigned by the Project Manager.
    • Travel as needed or required.


    Position Requirements

    HVAC Superintendent Qualifications
    • Must have EPA and RMGA certifications .
    • Must be a Journeyman or have at least six years of progressive HVAC experience.
    • At least 2 years of Foreman/Lead/Supervisor experience required. Multi-Family experience helpful.
    • Must support UMC's Vision, Mission, and Core Value statements.
    • Must demonstrate a high degree of integrity and maintain the confidentiality of personnel and
    • business information.
    • Possess good organizational, interpersonal, and initiative skills.
    • Possess professional oral and written communication skills.
    • Possess analytical and problem-solving skills.
    • Has the ability to read and interpret operating manuals, plans, and applicable building codes.
    • Proficient in Microsoft Office products and possess the aptitude to learn and use additional computer software as needed, i.e., Field View, Bluebeam.
    • Must be able to use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; hear; sit; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; climb or balance; stand; walk; lift or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 100 pounds; work overhead and in cramped quarters. Good vision required.
    • Must be 21 years or older, have a valid driver's license, able to drive on adverse road conditions, be able to pass a commercial motor vehicle physical, background, physical and drug screening, and be authorized to work in the United States.

    Equal Opportunity Employer

    Work Environment/AAP/EEO Statements

    While performing this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, and vibration. Occasionally exposure to a variety of extreme conditions at construction job sites occurs. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud. The performance of work happens in outside weather conditions. Mitigate these hazards or stop work until conditions improve when applicable. Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without accommodation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

    Colorado Compliance: UMC, Inc. will not retaliate against any employee making a complaint or inquiring about the Company's practices regarding Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. If you are subjected to any conduct that you believe violates this policy, you must promptly speak to, write, or otherwise contact your direct supervisor or, if the conduct involves your direct supervisor, the project manager, or human resources.

    PM21

    Equal Opportunity Employer

    2021

    PI

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find lead foremen 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 lead foreman job on Zippia to find and recruit lead foreman candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with lead foreman 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    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 lead foreman

    Once you've selected the best lead foreman 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.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new lead foreman. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  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

How much does it cost to hire a lead foreman?

Hiring a lead foreman comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting lead foremen involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of lead foreman recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

Lead foremen earn a median yearly salary is $60,787 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find lead foremen for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $20 and $41.

Find better lead foremen in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring lead foremen FAQs

Search for lead foreman jobs

Ready to start hiring?

Browse construction and extraction jobs