How to hire a machine operator/machinist

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

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

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

   Type of Machine Operator/Machinist	Description	Hourly rate
   Machine Operator/Machinist	Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.	$13-21
   Set-Up Operator	A machine set-up operator operates machinery such as grinders, bores, and mills. They prepare machines to be used by organizing tools, setting valve directions, sharpening tools as needed, positioning tools, and conducting regular maintenance.	$13-25
   Cell Operator	A Cell Operator is someone who handles a production cell in a company or factory. This position ensures that a cell unit of the production functions properly and efficiently... Show more	$14-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC Lathes
   • Grinders
   • Math
   • Calipers
   • CNC Machines
   • Safety Procedures
   • Micrometers
   • Machine Shop
   • Drill Press
   • Quality Standards
   • Troubleshoot
   • Quality Checks
   • Machine Operation
   • Aerospace

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
   • Operate CNC Haas machines to produce aerospace parts for company's like Boeing and GCM aerospace.
   • Inspect all finish parts using fix calipers and micrometers insuring quality control.
   • Train on a CNC for aerospace machining
   • Operate 3axis horizontal with a Fanuc control 1year.
   • Set up and operate mazak vertical and horizontal mills.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, machine operators/machinist' average salary in north carolina is 38% less than in new mexico.
   • Seniority. Entry-level machine operators/machinist 38% less than senior-level machine operators/machinist.
   • Certifications. A machine operator/machinist 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 machine operator/machinist's salary.

   Average machine operator/machinist salary

   $36,271yearly

   $17.44 hourly rate

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   Entry-level machine operator/machinist salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

4. Writing a machine operator/machinist job description

   A job description for a machine operator/machinist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a machine operator/machinist job description:

   Machine operator/machinist job description example

   **Overview**
   
   Element has an opportunity for a **Machine Operator/Machinist** to join our rapidly expanding team. As a member of the operations team, the Machining position performs a variety of routine and non-routine machining assignments within the department assigned and insures timely and accurate test results under direct supervision.
   
   **Responsibilities**
   
   + Using cutting equipment to prepare specimens for testing as dictated in customer specifications
   
   + Maintain equipment and schedules preventative maintenance
   
   + Frequently provided guidance from Department Manager, Machinist/Senior Machinist coworkers
   
   + Gathering and recording dimensions in accordance with quality assurance requirements
   
   **Skills / Qualifications**
   
   + High School diploma or GED or equivelent experience
   
   + Minimum of 2 years' experience in a machine shop environment in lieu of education
   
   + Understanding of machining concepts
   
   + Basic understanding of machining concepts, measuring instruments and dimensional concepts
   
   + Working knowledge of machine shop safety protocol
   
   + Strong computer skills
   
   \#LI-SN1
   
   **Company Overview**
   
   Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 6,500 brilliant minds operating from 200 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to 'Make tomorrow safer than today'.
   
   When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.
   
   While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.
   
   Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.
   
   **Diversity Statement**
   
   At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming "the world's most trusted testing partner".
   
   All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.
   
   **Job Locations** _US-MI-Wixom_
   
   **ID** _2022-9834_

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right machine operator/machinist 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 machine operator/machinist job on Zippia to find and recruit machine operator/machinist 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 operators/machinist, 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/machinist

   Once you've selected the best machine operator/machinist 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new machine operator/machinist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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