How to hire a machine helper

How to hire a machine helper, step by step

Here's a step-by-step machine helper hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your machine helper job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a machine helper for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A machine helper's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, machine helpers 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 machine helpers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Machine Helper	Description	Hourly rate
   Machine Helper		$12-18
   Helper	Helpers are employed by families or homeowners to provide overall assistance in the house. They are usually assigned to do household chores such as cleaning the house, doing the laundry, cooking meals, and tending the garden... Show more	$11-18
   General Helper	General helpers are skilled workers who help other workers by performing tasks that need less skill, such as holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment. These helpers are required to provide general labor support to all departments while performing a variety of job assignments... Show more	$13-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Basic Math
   • Safety Rules
   • Quality Checks
   • Quality Standards
   • Pallets
   • Machine Operators
   • CNC
   • Assist Machine
   • Calipers
   • Safety Procedures
   • Production Process
   • RUN Machine
   • General Maintenance
   • Customer Specifications

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Inspect and dress reels on face and release ends that are next in line to be run.
   • Construct, repair, evaluate, troubleshoot and maintain dies and machining parts; determine corrective action.
   • Cut wood to lengths need for shipping during the week and pull machined parts from a CNC lathe for shipping.
   • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
   • Carry out ordinary outdoor duties such as landscaping, mowing, and cleaning.
   • Participate in technical support and assist validation and QA department during equipment validation.

   More machine helper duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the machine helper job description is a good way to get more applicants. A machine helper salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a machine helper in Tennessee may be lower than in Maine, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level machine helper. Additionally, a machine helper with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average machine helper salary

   $15.37hourly

   $31,968 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level machine helper salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average machine helper salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$37,100	$18
   2	Wisconsin	$35,520	$17
   3	New York	$35,475	$17
   4	Illinois	$34,115	$16
   5	Kentucky	$30,107	$14
   6	Colorado	$29,255	$14
   7	North Carolina	$28,098	$14
   8	Texas	$27,961	$13
   9	Pennsylvania	$26,851	$13
   10	Tennessee	$26,278	$13
   11	Oklahoma	$25,584	$12
   12	Georgia	$25,400	$12
   13	Alabama	$22,419	$11
   14	Florida	$21,402	$10

   Average machine helper salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Argonne National Laboratory	$57,398	$27.60	1
   2	Johnson Controls	$39,526	$19.00	11
   3	Amcor	$37,510	$18.03	99
   4	VT Industries	$35,039	$16.85
   5	Green Bay Packaging	$34,874	$16.77	2
   6	WestRock	$34,794	$16.73	26
   7	International Paper	$34,523	$16.60	28
   8	Kelly Services	$32,861	$15.80	74
   9	Remedy Intelligent Staffing	$32,670	$15.71
   10	acloch	$32,594	$15.67
   11	Medical Billing	$32,568	$15.66
   12	Aerotek	$32,453	$15.60	277
   13	The Employment Solutions	$32,235	$15.50
   14	ManpowerGroup	$32,147	$15.46	115
   15	RESOURCE	$32,133	$15.45
   16	Adecco	$32,050	$15.41	181
   17	Staffmark	$31,936	$15.35
   18	TPI	$31,540	$15.16	5
   19	The Reserves Network	$31,509	$15.15	17
   20	SmartTalent	$31,458	$15.12	1

4. Writing a machine helper job description

   A machine helper 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 machine helper job description:

   Machine helper job description example

   Founded in 2014 by two successful entrepreneurs, UPG Enterprises LLC is a high growth, privately held operator of world-class diversified industrial businesses. Our family of companies has been built from more than 15 acquisitions in the metals, manufacturing, distribution, and logistics segments. Approaching $1B in annual revenue, the UPG portfolio of companies operates more than 3 million square feet of manufacturing space, a fleet of 200+ trucks, and over 18 production facilities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. We take a long-term approach to business and pride ourselves on having a lasting foundation built upon a strong culture, mutual respect, excellent team, and an innovative entrepreneurial spirit.
   Maksteel USA powered by UPG is looking hire a Forklift Driver to join our dynamic team! Maksteel is a growing steel service center that has been in business for almost 60 years. Successful candidates will have ideally worked in the steel industry (but not required) and have a solid level of experience with the types of specialized products and services produced by steel service centers.
   
   We are looking for a detail-oriented candidate that is eager to learn and grow in this fast-paced environment. We strive to build strong relationships with our customers by providing high level of service, value-add opportunities, and professionalism in all interactions, allowing us to become a valued member of their supply chain and production teams.
   
   Primary Duties & Responsibilities
   
   Will be Working on the Slitter Banding Material Help Operator as needed Help empty scrap bin Work as a team to get material ready to ship. Keep an eye on material as it runs for any defects.
   
   Position Requirements
   
   Must be able to work OT when needed
   
   Diversity & Inclusion Statement
   
   UPG Enterprises LLC and its Affiliates is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting machine helpers 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 machine helper

   Once you have selected a candidate for the machine helper 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new machine helper. 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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