How to hire a machinist apprentice

How to hire a machinist apprentice, step by step

Here's a step-by-step machinist apprentice hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the machinist apprentice you need to hire. Certain machinist apprentice 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

   Hiring the perfect machinist apprentice also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of machinist apprentice salaries for various roles:

   Type of Machinist Apprentice	Description	Hourly rate
   Machinist Apprentice	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.	$14-22
   Tool Maker	The job of a toolmaker is to make precision tools, holding devices, and special guides that are used in the manufacturing process. You will be responsible for repairing, maintaining, and improving jigs, fixtures, and fittings for press tools and all tooling dies, conducting routine regrinding and servicing of tools, and ensuring compliance with all quality standard regulations... Show more	$19-32
   Grinder	Depending on the industry, a grinder has a diverse range of duties. Typically, they oversee setting up and operating bearing grinders, cam grinders, and CNC lathes... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC Lathes
   • Grinders
   • Hand Tools
   • Calipers
   • Math
   • Drill Press
   • CNC Machines
   • CAD
   • Machine Shop Equipment
   • Manual Lathes
   • Manual Machines
   • Cam
   • G Code
   • Measurement Tools

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Design and construct intricate EDM electrodes.
   • Set up and operate Mazak machining centers.
   • Work with manual lathe, mill and EDM to repair parts for production.
   • Set up and operate CNC and manual machining equipment for high precision aerospace components.
   • Develop various forms and procedures to assure the machine shop are operating effectively and maintaining ISO certification.
   • Use blueprints to create molds using stick and tig welders.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your machinist apprentice job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A machinist apprentice salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, machinist apprentices' average salary in north carolina is 33% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level machinist apprentices earn 35% less than senior-level machinist apprentices.
   • Certifications. A machinist apprentice with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a machinist apprentice's salary.

   Average machinist apprentice salary

   $37,681yearly

   $18.12 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level machinist apprentice salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing a machinist apprentice job description

   A machinist apprentice 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 machinist apprentice job description:

   Machinist apprentice job description example

   By living according to a common set of values, we create a culture that unifies, embraces the uniqueness we all bring to the company, and positions Integer for long-term success.
   At Integer, our values are embedded in everything we do.
   
   Customer
   We focus on our customers' success
   Innovation
   We create better solutions
   Collaboration
   We create success together
   Inclusion
   We always interact with others respectfully
   Candor
   We are open and honest with one another
   Integrity
   We do the right things and do things right
   Adheres to Integer Values and all safety, environmental, security and quality requirements including, but not limited to: Quality Management Systems (QMS), Safety, Environmental and Security Management Systems, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, company policies and operating procedures, and other regulatory requirements
   Operates and sets up CNC equipment with assistance
   Accountable for meeting cycle time and yield expectations.
   Sharpens tooling as needed to maintain tolerances
   Makes adjustments and monitors assigned equipment to ensure dimensional part integrity
   Able to preset tooling for setups and tool breakages during normal operations
   Maintains tooling following established tool life guide lines
   Deburrs, buffs or sands parts to meet requirements to print specifications
   Verifies the revision level for current operations
   Verifies documentation and accuracy of completed operations
   Inspects parts visually and dimensionally using basic inspection equipment and techniques to assure conformance to requirements with assistance
   Completes all applicable documentation for current operations
   Required to follow quality procedures to ensure traceability and segregation of materials as required.
   Practices 5S principles on a daily basis Perform preventative machine maintenance as required.
   Performs other duties as assigned.
   
   Minimum Education: High school graduate or equivalent.
   Minimum Experience: Machinist trade school preferred, or 1 year manufacturing experience preferred.
   Special Skills: Ability to work with small precision parts to very close tolerances. Capability to use basic inspection tools and techniques. Capacity to understand and follow through with verbal or written instructions. Aptitude to learn basic shop math.
   Specialized Knowledge: Basic knowledge of continuous improvement, GD&T and blue print reading preferred.
   U.S. Applicants: EOE/AA Disability/Veteran

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right machinist apprentice 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 machinist apprentice job on Zippia to find and recruit machinist apprentice candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting machinist apprentices 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 machinist apprentice

   Once you've decided on a perfect machinist apprentice candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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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