How to hire a machine set-up

How to hire a machine set-up, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your machine set-up 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 set-up 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 set-up's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, machine set-ups 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 set-ups.

   Type of Machine Set-Up	Description	Hourly rate
   Machine Set-Up	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.	$12-20
   Control Operator	The duties of a control operator depend on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, it includes adhering to a set of protocols, controlling machines and equipment, identifying the needs of daily operations, and performing regular maintenance checks, conducting repairs when necessary... Show more	$15-26
   Numerical Control Operator	A numerical control operator is responsible for monitoring machinery and managing computer-generated equipment to produce tools and components from various mechanical resources. Numerical control operators must have extensive knowledge with the technology and mechanical industry to perform basic troubleshooting and detect malfunctions during operations... Show more	$13-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Quality Checks
   • Calipers
   • Hand Tools
   • Production Runs
   • CNC Machines
   • Production Equipment
   • Machine Shop
   • Screw Machines
   • Machine Operation
   • Grinding Machines
   • Production Machinery
   • SPC
   • Product Specifications
   • PLC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage daily scheduling of production workload to be setup and run on machinery.
   • Utilize distinctive tools, gauges and calipers to collect and input specification and quality data accurately.
   • Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling and cleaning machines, dies and workpieces and adding coolant to machine reservoir.

   More machine set-up duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the machine set-up job description is a good way to get more applicants. A machine set-up 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 set-up in Arizona may be lower than in New Mexico, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level machine set-up. Additionally, a machine set-up with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average machine set-up salary

   $16.62hourly

   $34,560 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level machine set-up salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated February 1, 2026

   Average machine set-up salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$42,261	$20
   2	California	$38,918	$19
   3	Indiana	$38,659	$19
   4	Oregon	$36,522	$18
   5	New York	$35,554	$17
   6	Ohio	$33,506	$16
   7	Alabama	$33,405	$16
   8	Wisconsin	$32,613	$16
   9	Mississippi	$32,571	$16
   10	Florida	$32,319	$16
   11	Tennessee	$31,295	$15
   12	Illinois	$30,827	$15
   13	Georgia	$30,468	$15

   Average machine set-up salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	BD	$48,814	$23.47	6
   2	Bosch USA	$41,245	$19.83	2
   3	Kohler Co.	$41,138	$19.78	1
   4	Parker Hannifin	$40,639	$19.54	40
   5	McKesson	$39,986	$19.22
   6	Tenneco	$39,697	$19.09	10
   7	Hyatt Hotels	$39,376	$18.93	3
   8	Idaho Forest Group	$38,213	$18.37
   9	Masco	$37,856	$18.20	5
   10	Inteplast Group	$36,794	$17.69	1
   11	Staffworks Group	$34,526	$16.60	2
   12	Randstad North America, Inc.	$33,979	$16.34
   13	Area Temps	$33,960	$16.33	21
   14	HEICO	$33,923	$16.31	13
   15	TEAM Industries	$33,796	$16.25	11
   16	The Advance Group	$33,669	$16.19	6
   17	The Reserves Network	$33,609	$16.16	23
   18	DCI	$33,456	$16.08
   19	Freudenberg-NOK	$33,348	$16.03
   20	The Wood Company	$33,348	$16.03

4. Writing a machine set-up job description

   A machine set-up 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 set-up job description:

   Machine set-up job description example

   2nd shift: 2pm-10:30pm ($.80 shift differential)

   3rd shift: 10pm-6:30am ($1.15 shift differential)

   JOB DESCRIPTION:

   • Interpret blueprints and job cards for product specifications including dimensions, tolerances and number of parts to produce
   • Install necessary parts to machines to ensure the ability to function properly
   • Set machine controls to specified grinding speeds, feed rates and angle of wheels
   • Verify dimensions of finished work piece for quality and conformance to specifications
   • Troubleshoot and maintain efficient operations of all machines to ensure maximum productivity
   • Assist in operations of all machines
   • Complete necessary paperwork and inventory input for maintaining proper documentation of operation
   • Maintain a clean, orderly and safe work environment
   • Participate in continual improvement programs
   • All other duties as assigned

   EXPERIENCE NEEDED:

   • High school diploma or GED
   • Ability to read and interpret department guides such as safety rules and operating/procedural manuals
   • Can communicate effectively verbally and in writing
   • Basic math (can add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measurements)
   • Knowledge of machines and tools including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance
   • Perform routine maintenance on equipment and ability to determine what kind of maintenance is needed
   • Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
   • Available to work full time (40 hours/week) on 2nd or 3rd shift, meeting attendance requirements

   You should be proficient in:

   • G-Code
   • M-Code
   • Machine Setups for Production Runs
   • Blueprint Reading

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find machine set-ups 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 set-up job on Zippia to find and recruit machine set-up 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 set-ups, 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 set-up

   Once you have selected a candidate for the machine set-up 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.

   To prepare for the new machine set-up first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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