How to hire a lease operator

How to hire a lease operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lease operator hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The lease operator 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?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a lease operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a lease operator that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of lease operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Lease Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Lease Operator		$2-52
   Rig Operator	A drill rig operator drills holes on the ground for different purposes. There are different types of rig operators depending on what they drill... Show more	$13-25
   Wireline Operator	A wireline operator specializes in handling and directing wireline equipment, tools, and instruments, ensuring safety and efficiency. Part of their job is to assess and analyze project requirements, install cables according to protocols and guidelines, control equipment up and down, conduct regular maintenance checks, and perform repairs as necessary... Show more	$14-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • OTR
   • CDL
   • Tractor Trailer
   • Production Equipment
   • Oil Gas
   • Mechanical Problems
   • Troubleshoot
   • Gauge Readings
   • Optimize Production
   • Increase Production
   • Work Ethic
   • Minor Maintenance
   • Math
   • Surface Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and maintain GPS and other equipment.
   • Perform, supervise, and manage explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations.
   • Manage smart pig cleaning and maintenance schedule for all assign areas of responsibility.
   • Submit daily production reports using eVin data entry program, and various other reports as needed.
   • Perform field activities on the pipeline facilities including: corrosion control, dehydration, measurement, and overall system integrity.
   • Enter daily production values into EVIN.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lease operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A lease operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, lease operators' average salary in kansas is 32% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lease operators earn 95% less than senior-level lease operators.
   • Certifications. A lease operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a lease operator's salary.

   Average lease operator salary

   $12.32hourly

   $25,625 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level lease operator salary

   $5,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a lease operator job description

   A job description for a lease operator 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 lease operator job description:

   Lease operator job description example

   Overview / Responsibilities
   
   Wood is currently recruiting for Lease Operator with a fast-proven record of accomplishments to support operations in Sonora, TX. The Lease Operator is primarily responsible for tracking production and pressures for all wells-on assigned routes, performing general well inspections, maintenance, equipment repairs and replacements, and reporting other maintenance, production, health or safety issues. Wood offers health benefits, 401k, vacation, LTD/STD and more.
   
   Candidates must live within a 60 mile radius
   
   Authorization to work lawfully in the US without sponsorship from Wood is required
   
   * Perform basic to intermediate level pumping skills which include but not limited to: tank gauging, the proper operation of heater/treaters and 3 phase separators, and all attendant valve and oil seals and seal records
   * Work on all types of production equipment, pump valves, treater dump valves, gas regulators, etc. Identify potential problems
   * Ensure that their areas of responsibility are in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
   * Monitor and record all relevant well information, including production rates, storage of liquids, pressures, temperatures, injection volumes, etc.
   * Perform lease operator duties at the well site, oil & gas facilities, and injection & producing pipeline systems in a reliable and efficient manner. Types of facilities include production tank batteries, injection lines, flow lines, water injection plants and CO2 recycle compression facility.
   
   Skills / Qualifications
   
   * Compressor experience a plus
   * Must organize and plan daily work schedule. Must be willing to work rotating shifts, weekends,
   * Safety sensitive position subject to random drug and alcohol screening
   * Valid driver's license and clean record
   * Work will require standing, stooping, walking, climbing tank stairs, carrying instruments weighing up to 80 pounds
   
   Company Overview
   
   Wood is a global leader in engineering and consultancy across energy and the built environment, helping to unlock solutions to some of the world's most critical challenges. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in more than 60 countries, employing around 40,000 people. www.woodplc.com
   
   Diversity Statement (EEO)
   
   We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right lease operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with lease operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit lease operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with lease operator 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 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 lease operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the lease operator 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 also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them 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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