How to hire a line inspector

How to hire a line inspector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step line inspector hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a line inspector, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect line inspector also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents line inspector salaries for various positions.

   Type of Line Inspector	Description	Hourly rate
   Line Inspector	Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.	$10-16
   Test Operator	The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement... Show more	$12-23
   Production Line Operator	Production line operators must have strong reading skills and a knowledge base for loading and unloading, quality control, and starting and stopping of production lines. Those who choose this career will be expected to assist in assembling and manufacturing machines, foodstuffs, and products... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Basic Math
   • Quality Standards
   • Safety Regulations
   • Production Lines
   • GMP
   • Assembly Line
   • Safety Rules
   • Quality Checks
   • Safety Guidelines
   • USDA
   • Circuit Boards
   • QA
   • Test Equipment
   • Test Data

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Inspect and certify all Honda accord auto parts.
   • Conduct conformity inspections, and coordinate inspection reviews with FAA & AFPRO.
   • Develop and maintain controls to ensure adherence to QA procedures and policies.
   • Develop and administer QA and inspection training programs for incoming material and production operations.
   • Perform visual external corrosion and internal erosion inspection utilizing NDT techniques on process piping and equipment during refinery turnarounds.
   • Require strong knowledge of manufacturing procedures and operations, including ISO standards and specifications.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, line inspectors' average salary in alabama is 49% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level line inspectors earn 40% less than senior-level line inspectors.
   • Certifications. A line inspector 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 line inspector's salary.

   Average line inspector salary

   $13.33hourly

   $27,718 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level line inspector salary

   $21,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

4. Writing a line inspector job description

   A line inspector 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. Below, you can find an example of a line inspector job description:

   Line inspector job description example

   The Department
   
   Palo Alto is the only city in California that offers a full array of utility services to its citizens and businesses. Because of this, the City has a unique opportunity to partner with the Palo Alto community to enjoy the benefits and achievements of reliable, home-grown, and environmentally-focused utilities. Palo Alto has a tradition of over 100 years of successful public utility operations. It is a tradition that continues to provide the Palo Alto community with safe and reliable utilities service, local decision-making over policies, utility rate-making, environmental programs, and customized services.
   
   Career Opportunity
   
   Under the guidance and direction of the Utilities Supervisor and Compliance Technician Lead, this position conducts routine overhead and underground line patrols to ensure compliance with General Orders 95 and 128 of the State of California. Additional responsibilities are to verify the tree trimming program, conduct line patrols during outages, maintain databases for our infrastructure and report findings to the appropriate personnel for corrective action. This position will also conduct all required Safety and Service Reliability overhead and underground inspections as directed. Continuous postings may close at any time so make sure you get your application in as soon as you can.
   
   Ideal Candidate
   
   The ideal candidate will have completed an apprenticeship as an Electrical Lineperson with a minimum of 5 years of experience working with Electric Overhead and Underground Distribution systems. The successful candidate must have full knowledge of the State of California's General Order's 95, 128, & 165 rules for construction and maintenance of overhead and underground electric supply systems as well as knowledge of the State of California Safety Title 8 rules and regulations. The ideal candidate will be reliable, adaptable, and diligent in working towards achieving the goals and priorities of the department.
   
   The City offers a range of benefits including a retirement plan so make sure to visit our benefits portalhere.
   
   This position is part of the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) Essential Duties
   
   Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
   
   * Ensures compliance with General Orders 95 for Overhead Construction through scheduled line patrols.
   * Ensures compliance with General Orders 128 for underground construction through scheduled line patrols.
   * Maintains an accurate, up-to-date database of all infractions or deviations found during line patrols.
   * Makes recommendations to Supervisor and/or Engineering for making improvements to the infrastructure.
   * Makes minor repairs in the field during line patrols, such as installing guy markers, date nails, pole numbers, ground wire moldings, installing bolts for box lids, viability strips, etc.
   * Immediately reports hazardous conditions to Supervisor or to the Utilities System Dispatcher.
   
   To see the full job description click here. Minimum Qualifications
   
   Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:
   
   Compliance Technician:
   
   * Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
   * Completion of an apprenticeship as an Electrical Lineperson with 5 years of journeyman Electric Lineperson experience.
   * Possession of a valid California Driver's License

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with line inspector 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 line inspector

   Once you have selected a candidate for the line inspector 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new line inspector. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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