How to hire a line operator

How to hire a line operator, step by step

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

What does a line operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the line operator you need to hire. Certain line operator 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 line operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, line operators 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of line operators.

   Type of Line Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Line Operator		$12-20
   Pack Out Operator	A pack out operator is a manufacturing or packaging operation employee responsible for the final packaging of goods prior to shipping. Pack out operators come in at the last stage of the manufacturing process to ensure readiness... Show more	$12-20
   Manufacturing Operator	A manufacturing operator is primarily responsible for overseeing and controlling the performance of machines and equipment, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring production operations, conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of machinery, performing corrective measures and adjustments as needed, and assessing the quality of finished products, all while adhering to deadlines and goals... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Preventative Maintenance
   • PPE
   • Basic Math
   • Extrusion
   • Quality Checks
   • Assembly Line
   • Safety Procedures
   • Safety Rules
   • Quality Standards
   • GMP
   • Safety Regulations
   • Pallet Jack
   • Quality Products
   • Line Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Follow safety procedures, including but not limit to, wearing proper PPE, lock-out/tag-out, and HAZMAT.
   • Weld various models of Honda car seats.
   • Operate foam line for assembly of Toyota Tacoma car seats.
   • Work the assembly line building car door frames for Chrysler.
   • Work in high volume production setting, sewing seat covers for Toyota vehicles.
   • Wear all PPE while manually draining and cleaning of all dip tanks and stations after shift or when production quality lessen.

   More line operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, line operators' average salary in wyoming is 49% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level line operators 37% less than senior-level line operators.
   • Certifications. A line operator 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 line operator's salary.

   Average line operator salary

   $16.60hourly

   $34,520 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level line operator salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average line operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	North Dakota	$45,152	$22
   2	Minnesota	$43,055	$21
   3	Iowa	$42,050	$20
   4	Wisconsin	$40,607	$20
   5	Nevada	$37,779	$18
   6	Pennsylvania	$36,775	$18
   7	Illinois	$36,673	$18
   8	California	$36,161	$17
   9	Kentucky	$35,083	$17
   10	New Hampshire	$35,073	$17
   11	Ohio	$34,845	$17
   12	Massachusetts	$34,617	$17
   13	Missouri	$34,030	$16
   14	Connecticut	$33,945	$16
   15	Texas	$31,623	$15
   16	Tennessee	$30,346	$15
   17	Florida	$29,534	$14
   18	Georgia	$28,618	$14

   Average line operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	BD	$46,955	$22.57	10
   2	Dairy Farmers of America	$45,972	$22.10	157
   3	Kemps	$45,896	$22.07	3
   4	Seneca Foods	$45,612	$21.93	10
   5	Nestlé	$45,108	$21.69	71
   6	Sanderson Farms	$44,909	$21.59
   7	Ventura Foods	$44,505	$21.40	14
   8	Foster Farms	$43,454	$20.89	12
   9	Jennie-O	$42,674	$20.52
   10	Kloeckner Metals	$42,469	$20.42	9
   11	Land O'Lakes	$42,440	$20.40	68
   12	PepsiCo	$42,137	$20.26	8
   13	J.R. Simplot	$42,076	$20.23
   14	Steuben Foods	$41,857	$20.12	8
   15	Cargill	$41,748	$20.07	191
   16	Talking Rain	$41,723	$20.06
   17	Ecolab	$41,670	$20.03	11
   18	John B. Sanfilippo & Son	$41,254	$19.83	5
   19	Benjamin Moore	$41,041	$19.73	2
   20	Green Mountain Coffee Roasters	$40,749	$19.59

4. Writing a line operator job description

   A line operator 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 operator job description:

   Line operator job description example

   TCI is currently hiring entry level production employees for 2nd shift 5:00PM-3:30AM Mon-Thurs. These positions performing numerous tasks within the gluing department such as set-up and operating glue machines, loading material onto layup tables, stacking and feeding material, keep empty glue carts supplied to the glue machines, removing carts with newly laid up packs to a staging area, and performing final quality inspection to make sure packs were laid up correctly. Daily machine schedule is directed by leader.

   The successful candidates must maintain a high level of personal productivity and work efficiency focus and are required to maintain a professional and positive demeanor when working with other TCI team members and customers.

   
   

   Knowledge, Skills, & Experience

   • High School diploma or GED equivalent is preferred

   • Use, read and comprehend a tape measure down to 1/16” is required

   • Be able to be flexible with their work schedule

   • Be a self-starter

   • Basic nomenclature and practical use of some hand tools

   • Understanding of basic shop math (Addition & subtraction)

   • Good attitude, good attendance and ability to work with others

   • Must know and comply with all safety procedures dealing with the equipment

   • Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

   
   

   Essential Functions

   • Set up and operate any glue machine in the department

   • Load sheets onto layup tables

   • Assist with packs being laid up

   • Capable of moving carts to the staging area, unload and inspect cured packs

   • Participate in team and shop problem solving activities that include quality, safety, scrap reduction and process improvements.

   • Know how to lay up all styles and feed machines

   • Know how detect and fix pack issues as they come up

   • Perform housekeeping and 5S duties as assigned

   • Meet or exceed safety, quality and efficiency guidelines as expected

   • Follow all related written and oral work instructions

   • May perform other duties as assigned.

   
   

   Typical Working Conditions

   • Indoor, manufacturing setting (occasional outdoor)

   o Working temperatures throughout the year range on average from mid-90’s to mid-50’s

   o The wearing of steel toed shoes, hearing protection and eye protection is required

   • Work area includes movement of forklifts and movement of glue machines and glue carts

   • Shift work nights Monday through Thursday, and some Fridays and Saturdays

   
   

   Equipment Used

   • Glue Machines

   • Some hand tools for setting up and adjusting machines

   • Basic hand tools and measuring devices (tape measure for example)

   
   

   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find line operators 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 line operator job on Zippia to find and recruit line operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting line operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the line 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new line operator. 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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How much does it cost to hire a line operator?