How to hire a lead installer

How to hire a lead installer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead installer 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 installer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead installer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a lead installer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the lead installer you need to hire. Certain lead installer 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 lead installer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lead installers 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 installers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Lead Installer	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead Installer	Carpenters construct and repair building frameworks and structures—such as stairways, doorframes, partitions, rafters, and bridge supports—made from wood and other materials. They also may install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.	$18-43
   Builder	Builders are responsible for managing, coordinating, and working on the construction. They are also responsible for repairing and maintaining commercial and residential buildings... Show more	$11-21
   Framer	A framer is responsible for devising work plans and assembling the framework structure essential for constructing houses and other facilities. Moreover, they are also responsible for finding the appropriate materials needed for the project, setting the budget, managing the schedule, and consulting with the client for their preferences... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • HVAC
   • Customer Service
   • Hand Tools
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Windows
   • Roofing
   • Cable Management
   • Installation Process
   • Plumbing
   • Control Systems
   • Retrofit
   • General Contractors
   • Duct Systems
   • Heat Pumps

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage crew working on Nortel CDMA network doing upgrades at cell site.
   • Install battery plants, rectifiers, power distribution bays, and fuse panels.
   • Repair and replace condensers, compressors, pumps, valves, furnace, air handlers, and coils.
   • Install telecommunication equipment; routers, switches, connections and programming features following industry standards.
   • Sprint mobile and Ericsson wireless.
   • Team member for FBI LAN install Washington DC.

   More lead installer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, lead installers' average salary in florida is 61% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lead installers 58% less than senior-level lead installers.
   • Certifications. A lead installer 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 lead installer's salary.

   Average lead installer salary

   $59,596yearly

   $28.65 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead installer salary

   $38,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average lead installer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$111,489	$54
   2	California	$91,123	$44
   3	Massachusetts	$83,617	$40
   4	Oregon	$82,381	$40
   5	Montana	$75,912	$37
   6	Maryland	$73,249	$35
   7	New Jersey	$71,838	$35
   8	Wisconsin	$71,752	$35
   9	New York	$71,328	$34
   10	Colorado	$71,103	$34
   11	Utah	$69,537	$33
   12	Virginia	$67,496	$32
   13	Arizona	$67,194	$32
   14	Texas	$59,934	$29
   15	Missouri	$59,351	$29
   16	Illinois	$55,685	$27
   17	Ohio	$51,007	$25
   18	Georgia	$49,847	$24
   19	Mississippi	$49,385	$24
   20	Indiana	$49,100	$24

   Average lead installer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	PFS	$122,824	$59.05
   2	Guitar Center	$119,940	$57.66	6
   3	Best Buy	$118,042	$56.75	45
   4	American Residential Services	$114,603	$55.10	21
   5	Tesla	$106,772	$51.33	1
   6	Florida Power and Light	$104,982	$50.47	34
   7	Air Force One	$100,765	$48.44	2
   8	Troxell Communications	$98,666	$47.44
   9	Triple-S	$96,831	$46.55
   10	Oceaneering	$95,790	$46.05
   11	General Electric	$95,712	$46.02
   12	Sunrun	$92,074	$44.27	102
   13	ADT Security Services	$91,446	$43.96
   14	Rollins	$90,712	$43.61
   15	Technip USA Corporation	$86,908	$41.78
   16	Denver Foundation	$84,377	$40.57
   17	Jacobs Engineering Group	$83,770	$40.27
   18	ECI Communications	$83,577	$40.18	1
   19	Alta Group	$83,043	$39.92
   20	Precision Countertops	$81,335	$39.10

4. Writing a lead installer job description

   A lead installer 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a lead installer job description:

   Lead installer job description example

   Pay Range between $28 to $33 per hours (based on experience)

   Job Summary

   Leads on-site installations to ensure timely completion, high quality of service and cost effective management of dealer labor and installation resources. Functions as team leader on smaller projects and works under the direction of field supervisors on large projects.

   Essential Duties and Responsibilities Including but not limited to:

   · Train temporary/contractor

   · Ability to feel comfortable and professional with team and customers

   · Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times

   · Outstanding verbal and written communication skills

   · Provide leadership and respect to team members

   · Uphold a strong work ethic and ethical approach to the business

   · Must be punctual and self-motivated

   · Understand installation scope and work processes

   · Ability to read plans, blueprints, evaluations and product specifications

   · Mechanically adept and understands how to safely use tools and equipment

   · Ability to show consistent excellent installation skills of furniture, resulting in projects with good workmanship and reflect high quality that meet the dealership’s field standards of performance

   · Ability to complete all technical installation operations, including; wall strips, field measuring, in-line step down modifications, product repairs, simple field cuts and product modifications, etc.

   · Must be product knowledgeable across all major lines of furniture carried by the dealer

   · Ability to specify product and complete small inventories

   · Knowledge and understanding of all product application and use

   · Knowledge of electricity and electrical hookups to building power; ability to interface with electricians and cabling subcontractors

   · Take ownership for projects, results and details including follow through to project completion

   · Ability to react to varying project/field conditions and make decisions to resolve problems and changes to the scope of work (as needed)

   · Consistent understanding and follow through of accurate paperwork; includes detailed time sheets, client sign-off, punch list items, change orders, product return forms, and inventory check-out, etc.

   · Ensure all paperwork is neat, clear, legible, and complete

   · Ability to communicate project status, problems and punch-list (in writing) to dispatch, sales personnel, sales support, and to project management personnel

   · Ability to plan, organize and effectively direct a crew of installers on projects up to 15 stations in size

   · Understand the diversity of different projects and prepare accordingly:

   o Pursue project details and drawings

   o Assist scheduling and manpower of all loading for the project

   o Manage work planning for field conditions, technical complexities and task-to-time efficiencies

   · Ability to manage crews of up to 4-6 installers

   · Function as a crew chief under a field supervisor on large or complex projects

   · Pre-plan small to medium sized projects, including field measurements and site reviews

   · Analyze project for correct tool, supply, equipment and vehicle requirements, including small parts and product pulls from warehouse

   · Comfortable driving (safely) a bobtail or cube truck

   · Understand furniture material handling and logistical processes

   · Receive and document receipt of product in a thorough and accurate manner

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right lead installer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   To find lead installer 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

   To successfully recruit lead installers, 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. 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 installer

   Once you've found the lead installer 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 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 employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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.)

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