Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSkillsEducationDemographicsJob Description

How To Hire

Best CompaniesJob OutlookCompare

How to hire a lidar technician

Lidar technician hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring lidar technicians in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a lidar technician 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 lidar technician to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a lidar technician, step by step

To hire a lidar technician, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a lidar technician, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step lidar technician hiring guide:

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

  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The lidar technician 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?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a lidar technician 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 lidar technician that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of lidar technicians and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Lidar TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Lidar TechnicianElectrical and electronics engineering technicians help engineers design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and other electrical and electronic equipment. They often work in product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to adjust, test, and repair equipment... Show more$20-46
    Technical Testing EngineerA technical testing engineer is responsible for inspecting and reporting the quality of products across the production cycle. You will thoroughly check procedures, materials, and electrical and mechanical systems to produce high-quality products for customers... Show more$29-60
    Electronics Engineering TechnicianElectronics Engineering Technician helps engineers design and advance electronic devices and components, install electrical equipment, and maintain electronic systems. They usually work in product evaluation and testing... Show more$23-44
    Show more

  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • GIS
    • Extraction
    • CAD
    • Troubleshoot
    • Digital Terrain Models
    • Data Processing
    • GPS
    • Data Classification
    Responsibilities:
    • Develop GIS datasets through detail feature extraction.
    • Experience at using MicroStation, InterPlot, Geopak, Textpad, and Decartes software.
    • Update and improve spatial and thematic accuracy of features within the GIS to match LiDAR base data.
    • Perform peer-reviews and map-editing using MicroStation software.
    • Assess contractor bid documents and prepare PowerPoint presentations for management by administering proposals to procurement in awarding work to eligible contractors.
    • Create georeferenced scan strips and exterior orientations using Linux base Toppit software.

  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your lidar technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A lidar technician salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, lidar technicians' average salary in utah is 49% less than in massachusetts.
    • Seniority. Entry-level lidar technicians earn 57% less than senior-level lidar technicians.
    • Certifications. A lidar technician 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 lidar technician's salary.

    Average lidar technician salary

    $64,037yearly

    $30.79 hourly rate
    Entry-level lidar technician salary
    $42,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 23, 2025

  4. Writing a lidar technician job description

    A good lidar technician 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 a lidar technician job description:

    Lidar technician job description example

    Who We Are

    SAM Companies is recognized as the industry's technology leader in providing geospatial solutions and construction services on a national scale. Our staff encompasses 1,000+ individuals from diverse backgrounds who are deploying the latest industry technology and changing the way data is collected and delivered in our industry.

    Your Impact at SAM

    + Daily processing of geospatial data, including evaluating accuracy and sufficiency, and ensuring compliance to applicable project and industry standards related to aerial mapping products

    + Classification of LiDAR point clouds

    + Extraction of mapping features from LiDAR point clouds

    + Other duties as assigned

    What You Bring to SAM

    + 2+ years progressive experience in CAD

    + 2+ years progressive experience with LiDAR classification

    + 2+ years experience with feature extraction from LiDAR

    + Excellent computer and technical skills, including Auto CAD and/or MicroStation and MS Office Suite

    + TerraSolid Software experience preferred

    + Electric Transmission experience preferred

    + Strong listening, and verbal communication skills

    + Strong work ethic and team-player attitude and willingness to learn new skills

    Our Perks

    + Hybrid work schedules for office positions - Work-life balance is on us

    + Company paid premiums for medical, dental, vision, LTD and life insurance (HSA and FSA plans available)

    + Generous paid time off (vacation, sick, holidays and parental leave) - Accrual starts immediately

    + 401(k) program offers 100% employer match up to 4%

    + Employee Assistance Program - Your mental health is our priority

    + Tuition reimbursement

    + No glass ceiling! Truly a place to spread your wings (Ask about our Career Pathing!)

    + Trainings throughout the year - Specialized in-house trainings programs designed to assist you in advancing in your career

    + Office snacks, free food and fun-themed events for employees throughout the year

    + Passion for our Community - You have endless opportunities to volunteer alongside your peers with our Corporate Social Responsibility Program

    **Our Culture**

    Our entrepreneurial culture is a key factor in SAM being recognized as a Top Workplace for nine consecutive years, and we make it our mission to ensure every one of our employees learns how to build and manage a business, not just be the subject matter expert on the team. At SAM, our employee's development is instrumental to our success. Your learning will be supported by specialized in-house training programs and mentoring by the industry's leading experts, who just happen to be on our staff! We make SAM a GREAT place to work, but it all starts with YOU!

    **EEO**

    SAM is an EOE/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V. SAM also participates in the federal E-Verify Program.

    + 2+ years progressive experience in CAD

    + 2+ years progressive experience with LiDAR classification

    + 2+ years experience with feature extraction from LiDAR

    + Excellent computer and technical skills, including Auto CAD and/or MicroStation and MS Office Suite

    + TerraSolid Software experience preferred

    + Electric Transmission experience preferred

    + Strong listening, and verbal communication skills

    + Strong work ethic and team-player attitude and willingness to learn new skills

    + Daily processing of geospatial data, including evaluating accuracy and sufficiency, and ensuring compliance to applicable project and industry standards related to aerial mapping products

    + Classification of LiDAR point clouds

    + Extraction of mapping features from LiDAR point clouds

    + Other duties as assigned

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right lidar technician 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.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your lidar technician job on Zippia to find and recruit lidar technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.

  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with lidar technician 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.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 lidar technician

    Once you've found the lidar technician 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is 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.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a lidar technician?

Recruiting lidar technicians involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $64,037 per year for a lidar technician, 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 lidar technicians in the US typically range between $20 and $46 an hour.

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

Hiring lidar technicians FAQs

Search for lidar technician jobs

Ready to start hiring?
Updated December 23, 2025

Browse architecture and engineering jobs