How to hire a manufacturing labour

How to hire a manufacturing labour, step by step

Here's a step-by-step manufacturing labour hiring guide:

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

What does a manufacturing labour do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The manufacturing labour hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A manufacturing labour's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, manufacturing labours 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 presents manufacturing labour salaries for various positions.

   Type of Manufacturing Labour	Description	Hourly rate
   Manufacturing Labour	Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to and from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.	$12-20
   Stock Unloader	Stock unloaders are workers in charge of unloading goods and items from the truck into the store. The unloaders move the products in a warehouse, distribution center, or any industrial facility... Show more	$16-25
   Warehouseman	A warehouseman or warehouse worker is the person who assists with the inventory, shipping, and receiving of items in warehouses. Warehousemen receive and process incoming materials and stocks, along with picking and filling orders from the store... Show more	$14-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Tape Measure
   • Pallets
   • Jigs
   • Quality Checks
   • Basic Math
   • Quality Standards
   • Machine Operators
   • CNC
   • RAN
   • Safety Guidelines
   • Customer Orders
   • Power Saws
   • PPE

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage mulching, fertilizing, watering and mowing activities.
   • Operate CNC lathe machine and drill press.
   • Prepare groceries for stores across Springfield and Joplin by building pallets for shipment in a timely and organize manner
   • Receive general training in ISO standards.
   • Operate machinery- loader, forklift, and bobcat.
   • Operate forklift, run mill see, and heavy lifting.

   More manufacturing labour duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your manufacturing labour job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A manufacturing labour 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 manufacturing labour in Georgia may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level manufacturing labour usually earns less than a senior-level manufacturing labour. Additionally, a manufacturing labour 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 manufacturing labour salary

   $16.02hourly

   $33,322 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level manufacturing labour salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 17, 2026

   Average manufacturing labour salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$41,740	$20
   2	Nebraska	$38,852	$19
   3	Oregon	$38,704	$19
   4	California	$36,661	$18
   5	Colorado	$36,285	$17
   6	Utah	$36,114	$17
   7	Wisconsin	$35,780	$17
   8	Ohio	$35,002	$17
   9	Indiana	$34,941	$17
   10	Illinois	$34,838	$17
   11	Arizona	$34,499	$17
   12	Pennsylvania	$34,067	$16
   13	Maryland	$33,784	$16
   14	Connecticut	$33,747	$16
   15	Michigan	$33,628	$16
   16	Maine	$32,775	$16
   17	Kentucky	$32,115	$15
   18	Tennessee	$30,122	$14
   19	Texas	$30,107	$14
   20	Georgia	$29,714	$14

   Average manufacturing labour salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Valmont Industries	$42,774	$20.56	19
   2	Sierra Pacific Industries	$41,035	$19.73	13
   3	Rich Products	$40,703	$19.57	2
   4	Bunge	$39,839	$19.15	2
   5	Johnson Controls	$39,508	$18.99	5
   6	Cenergy International Services	$39,414	$18.95
   7	TreeHouse Foods	$39,356	$18.92	5
   8	Cargill	$39,240	$18.87	2
   9	Emerson	$39,153	$18.82	26
   10	Ashley HomeStore	$38,923	$18.71	23
   11	General Mills	$38,794	$18.65	6
   12	Belcan	$38,691	$18.60	8
   13	McWane	$38,677	$18.59	1
   14	PepsiCo	$38,555	$18.54	4
   15	Post Holdings	$38,434	$18.48	18
   16	Foley Products	$38,200	$18.37
   17	Chewy	$38,191	$18.36
   18	Techtronic Industries TTI	$38,035	$18.29	10
   19	Blue Bird	$38,001	$18.27	10
   20	Fla-Vor-Ice	$37,911	$18.23

4. Writing a manufacturing labour job description

   A manufacturing labour 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. Below, you can find an example of a manufacturing labour job description:

   Manufacturing labour job description example

   Imagine...working for a company that knows that its people are the key to its success in the marketplace. A company in which achieving extraordinary results and having a stimulating work experience are part of the same process.
   
   We cultivate and embrace a diverse employee population. We recognize that people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives fuel our growth and enrich our global culture.
   
   We are looking for an individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced, team oriented environment, likes to be challenged, and values the opportunity to make a difference.
   
   The Campbell Soup Company, the world's leading maker and marketer of soup, seeks quality and safety conscious individuals to join our Napoleon Operations Team for the current season. Ideal candidates will have manufacturing work experience, be willing to work ANY shift and must be able to work OVERTIME as needed. Forklift experience is preferred, but not required. We will be hiring for general labor and forklift positions to support all production and warehouse departments in the production and distribution of various products such as: Campbell's, Prego, Pace, Swanson and V8.
   General Labor Openings:
   
   Will perform functions of a routine nature requiring basic skills using simple tools, machines, cleaning equipment, etc. Physical requirements vary based on assigned job; however, all require a minimum of the ability to lift up to 50 lbs., carry, lift, push, pull, stoop, twist, climb stairs, stand, and walk.
   
   Principle Duties:
   Perform general labor as assigned.Perform required quality and safety checks.Ensure accurate record and data maintenance Maintain needed supplies to ensure efficient operations.Maintain a clean and orderly work area.Perform other duties as assigned.
   
   The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.
   
   In that regard, U.S. applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find manufacturing labours for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any manufacturing labours they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level manufacturing labours with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your manufacturing labour job on Zippia to find and recruit manufacturing labour candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting manufacturing labours 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 manufacturing labour

   Once you've decided on a perfect manufacturing labour 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new manufacturing labour 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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How much does it cost to hire a manufacturing labour?