How to hire a Machine Operator/Forklift Operator

How to hire a machine operator/forklift operator, step by step

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

What does a Machine Operator/Forklift Operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a machine operator/forklift operator, 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a machine operator/forklift 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 machine operator/forklift operator that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of machine operator/forklift operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type Of Machine Operator/Forklift Operator	Description	Hourly Rate
   Machine Operator/Forklift Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show More	$12-18
   Saw Operator	Saw operators are responsible for setting up and operating power saws to slot, cut, and trim metallic and non-metallic materials. They are the ones who choose and install blades on machinery using hand-tools and verify dimensions of finished material using measuring devices... Show More	$12-18
   Mill Operator	Mill operators are skilled employees who are responsible for operating and maintaining milling machines that grind materials such as rocks or chemicals at a milling facility. These operators must gather raw materials for production and assist with the inventory of all materials... Show More	$14-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Safety Standards
   • Drive Forklift
   • Load Trucks
   • Machine Operation
   • CNC
   • Electric Pallet Jack
   • Quality Checks
   • Assembly Line
   • Sit-Down Forklift
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Quality Standards
   • RF
   • Troubleshoot
   • Safety Rules

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
   • Measure position of sheet with cores for evenly run product.
   • Keep inventory of products being run on a daily basis.
   • Support operation of rotary die cutter equipment QA testing to follow prescribe guidelines.
   • Operate power shovels, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift.
   • Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating and breaking rock and concrete and making winter roads.

   More Machine Operator/Forklift Operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your machine operator/forklift operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A machine operator/forklift operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a machine operator/forklift operator in Tennessee may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level machine operator/forklift operator usually earns less than a senior-level machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a machine operator/forklift operator with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average machine operator/forklift operator salary

   $15.60hourly

   $32,452 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level machine operator/forklift operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated May 18, 2025

   Average machine operator/forklift operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	Washington	$36,214	$17
   2	Massachusetts	$35,042	$17
   3	Nevada	$34,763	$17
   4	California	$33,624	$16
   5	Maryland	$33,589	$16
   6	Minnesota	$33,252	$16
   7	Illinois	$32,297	$16
   8	Pennsylvania	$32,064	$15
   9	Nebraska	$32,000	$15
   10	Utah	$31,494	$15
   11	Arizona	$30,435	$15
   12	Connecticut	$30,148	$14
   13	Indiana	$29,455	$14
   14	Kentucky	$28,403	$14
   15	Florida	$28,114	$14
   16	Oklahoma	$27,620	$13
   17	Texas	$27,320	$13
   18	Georgia	$26,558	$13
   19	North Carolina	$25,627	$12
   20	Alabama	$25,366	$12

   Average machine operator/forklift operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	TreeHouse Foods	$37,649	$18.10	24
   2	General Mills	$37,603	$18.08	15
   3	MasterBrand Cabinets	$36,689	$17.64	41
   4	WestRock	$36,639	$17.61	176
   5	James Hardie	$36,442	$17.52	2
   6	Pactiv	$35,824	$17.22	110
   7	MetalTek International	$35,189	$16.92	7
   8	Volt Systems LLC	$35,182	$16.91
   9	All In One Data Products	$35,104	$16.88
   10	Hormel Foods	$34,895	$16.78	43
   11	BCforward	$33,976	$16.33	28
   12	TEKWISSEN	$33,661	$16.18	1
   13	Workforce Strategies, Inc.	$32,714	$15.73
   14	HW Staffing Solutions	$32,714	$15.73	37
   15	Allegiance Staffing	$32,711	$15.73
   16	Automation Personnel Services	$32,690	$15.72	66
   17	Adecco	$32,606	$15.68	189
   18	Stella-Jones	$32,569	$15.66	4
   19	Aerotek	$32,517	$15.63	1,249
   20	NESCO	$32,471	$15.61	1

4. Writing a Machine Operator/Forklift Operator Job Description

   A good machine operator/forklift operator 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 machine operator/forklift operator job description:

   Machine Operator/Forklift Operator job description example

   **Let's figure out what's next together.** If you ask us, this job looks great. Kelly Professional & Industrial is looking for **Palletizer and Forklift Operators** to work for a Major Manufacturer in **Savannah, GA** . Sound good? Take a closer look below at the details below.
   **Available Positions:**
   
   1. **Palletizer** : 3rd shift, 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM - **$17.76 p/h**
   
   2. **Forklift Operator** : Rotating (2 days on, 3 days off; 3 on, 2 off) 5:00 PM to 5:30 AM - **$17.26 p/h**
   
   **REQUIREMENTS:** Ability to read, write, and communicate in English at a level to facilitate the understanding of the terminology of the job. Ability to comprehend and follow written and/or verbal procedures or instructions. Have basic math skills. Have basic mechanical skills. Ability to work safely. Ability to lift 25 lbs repetitiously and the ability to kneel, bend over, squat, stoop, and carry. Ability to work in a warm and dusty environment. Ability to organize and plan ahead to maximize job efficiency.
   
   **Education and/or Experience** : High School graduate or equivalent required.
   
   **What happens next?**
   
   Once you apply, you'll proceed to the next steps if your skills and experience look like a good fit. But don't worry-even if this position doesn't work out, you're still in our network. That means all our recruiters will have access to your profile, expanding your opportunities even more.
   
   Helping you discover what's next in your career is what we're all about, so let's get to work.
   
   Apply today!
   
   \#P1
   
   **Get a complete career fit with Kelly** ** ** **.**
   
   You're looking to keep your career moving onward and upward, and we're here to help you do just that. Our staffing experts connect you with top companies for opportunities where you can learn, grow, and thrive. Jobs that fit your skills and experience, and most importantly, fit right on your path of where you want to go in your career.
   
   **About Kelly** ** **
   
   At Kelly, we're always thinking about what's next and advising job seekers on new ways of working to reach their full potential. In fact, we're a leading advocate for temporary/nontraditional workstyles, because we believe they allow flexibility and tremendous growth opportunities that enable a better way to work and live (plus, did we mention we provide a ton of benefits ?). Connecting great people with great companies is what we do best, and our employment opportunities span a wide variety of workstyles, skill levels, and industries around the world.
   
   Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly's Human Resource Knowledge Center.
   Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit machine operator/forklift operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 machine operator/forklift operator

   Once you've selected the best machine operator/forklift operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing 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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