How to hire a master

How to hire a master, step by step

Here's a step-by-step master hiring guide:

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

What does a master do?

Post a master job for free, promote it for a fee

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your master 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 master 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a master 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 master that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of masters.

   Type of Master	Description	Hourly rate
   Master	Automotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.	$18-61
   Automotive Mechanic	An automotive mechanic is responsible for inspecting the vehicle's engine, identifying defects and inconsistencies, and repairing malfunctioning components through diagnostic tests. Automotive mechanics diagnose problems and inform the customers of troubleshooting procedures and provide cost estimates for maintenance... Show more	$14-28
   Auto Mechanic	An auto mechanic's role is to repair and maintain automotive vehicles, ensuring that they function efficiently and safely. They are primarily responsible for discussing issues with clients, inspecting vehicles to identify the root of problems, performing test drives, and conducting corrective measures... Show more	$13-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Social Work
   • Customer Service
   • Ladders
   • Patients
   • Java
   • Apple
   • Sigma
   • CPR
   • C++
   • Logistics
   • Process Improvement
   • Perform Routine Maintenance
   • R

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Design, construct, and manage web content using HTML/CSS, MySQL, and PHP.
   • Lead change management initiative to innovate new QA procedures in master data to support automation for the team.
   • Manage employee recognition awards program design to recognize top performing sailors.
   • Recommend resources or support require to accomplish total force manpower program objectives.
   • Achieve numerous accolades and excellence awards in addition to many combat meritorious advancements.
   • Provide leadership and knowledge of federal shipping and logistics regulations by managing adherence to all policies and procedures from higher headquarters.

   More master duties

3. Make a budget

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

   $69,786yearly

   $33.55 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level master salary

   $38,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average master salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Texas	$89,463	$43
   2	West Virginia	$86,063	$41
   3	Michigan	$83,546	$40
   4	California	$83,472	$40
   5	Pennsylvania	$81,569	$39
   6	Massachusetts	$80,156	$39
   7	Georgia	$79,702	$38
   8	Missouri	$76,691	$37
   9	Washington	$75,471	$36
   10	Indiana	$75,298	$36
   11	New York	$73,728	$35
   12	Ohio	$72,533	$35
   13	Minnesota	$71,124	$34
   14	Utah	$68,883	$33
   15	Oregon	$67,702	$33
   16	District of Columbia	$67,617	$33
   17	Arizona	$66,161	$32
   18	Colorado	$66,027	$32
   19	North Carolina	$64,861	$31
   20	Nevada	$62,078	$30

   Average master salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Pacific Investment Management Company LLC	$141,633	$68.09
   2	AEA Investors	$138,956	$66.81	1
   3	Goldman Sachs	$132,055	$63.49	1
   4	North Highland	$131,069	$63.01
   5	Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.	$128,927	$61.98
   6	Mindbody	$126,864	$60.99
   7	Genentech	$124,253	$59.74
   8	Hitachi Vantara	$123,364	$59.31
   9	TRW Automotive Holdings	$123,124	$59.19
   10	Martin Midstream GP	$123,075	$59.17	1
   11	Amazon	$121,994	$58.65
   12	Harmonia Holdings Group	$119,653	$57.53
   13	The Jane Pauley Community Health Center	$119,140	$57.28
   14	Gulfstream Aerospace	$115,535	$55.55	2
   15	International Trucks	$115,452	$55.51
   16	Newman and Company	$115,157	$55.36
   17	Bosch USA	$114,837	$55.21	1
   18	Charter Global	$113,678	$54.65	1
   19	Applied Materials	$113,574	$54.60	6
   20	Florida Power and Light	$113,300	$54.47

4. Writing a master job description

   A master 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 master job description:

   Master job description example

   A Master Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the PJM system is properly scheduled in accordance with PJM Market Rules and ensure that transactions in the PJM energy market are administered consistent with current rules and procedures. Additionally, s/he has the responsibility and the authority to take direct and timely real-time actions (without obtaining higher level approval) including directing shedding of firm load to prevent or alleviate System Operating Limit or Reliability Operating Limit Violations.Master Coordinators must have a thorough understanding or the technical ability to obtain a thorough understanding of:
   
   The basic principles and theory of electricity and interconnected system operations, including all PJM operating and safety policies sufficient to maintain system reliability and robust markets.Forecasting techniques and analysis methodology.PJM Member Company operating policies, PJM markets, and unit scheduling procedures as well as an awareness of those of neighboring systems and their interactions with PJM.PJM computer systems, the real-time scheduling and transaction programs, the interrelationships of PJM Member Company and NERC tagging computer systems.Understanding of the regional transmission tariff by coordinating the scheduled use of transmission service and implementing curtailments as necessary.
   
   This is a rotating shift position and requires staffing 7 x 24 including holidays. This position requires successful testing through the Profiles XT assessment and obtaining NERC/PJM Certification and other training requirements within the allotted timeframe. The Profiles XT assessment is a validated testing process that evaluates the success of system operators at PJM.The Master Coordinator position is as an entry point for all new hires and requires advancement to the next level - Generation Dispatcher - within a specified time period. All Master Coordinators must receive training and pass tests (written and simulator) for the Generation Dispatcher position no later than whenever management determines an on-the-job trainer is available for him/her and s/he has completed the necessary 12 week training period.
   Applicants for this position must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.
   In-person duties are an essential function of this job. The ability to be onsite is required.
   Essential Functions:
   Maintain power system reliability by ensuring operations are in compliance with applicable NERC standards and PJM operating and emergency procedures.Operates PJM OASIS site and provides customer support to the energy scheduling process.Process all customer inquiries and requests for energy transactions, scheduling, and generation outage information in a timely and effective manner.Represent PJM as contact personnel for the following systems: OASIS, TMS, EES, NERC IDC, OATI, eDart generator outages, Supplemental Status Report, Generation Checkout, and Second Pass Commitment questions.Directs the scheduling of generating units of the PJM participants to meet the PJM load and reserve requirements for future operating periods to gain maximum system economy within established PJM reliability criteria.Monitors generating unit (over 1000 generators) capability changes, return dates, operating constraints, start-up and minimum run times. Works in conjunction with PJM's Market Operations and Reliability Engineers to determine the generator unit scheduling strategy and directs the implementation of that strategy through the PJM participants. Monitors and adjusts the strategy as changes on the actual system occur.Forecasts (and revises) the PJM system load forecast for the next seven days by monitoring weather forecasts throughout the PJM service territory.Monitors all input data to the scheduling and transaction database for accuracy and resolves discrepancies with the PJM participants.Maintains records and logs of all pertinent scheduling and transaction related information used in after-the-fact analysis and reviews.Participates in training programs. Serves as a trainer for new Master Coordinators and familiarizes other employees, both with dispatching and outside the department, with the scheduling functions.Approves unit maintenance outages of generating units based on the projected PJM reserve situations.Takes arrangements for unit outages (tickets) and approves all maintenance outage requests.Reviewing participant data for correctness.Maintaining customer confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential.Manages an increasing customer contact commitment and therefore, a greater focus on customer service competencies Must be able to remain a certified NERC and PJM System OperatorAssists in the development, evaluation and enhancements to new or existing tools, applications and systems Continually demonstrates flexibility in adapting to an environment of rapid change and growing complexity.Ability to independently handle multiple changing agendas in a quick-paced, stressful, and deadline-driven work environment.Assists in administration of PJM Transaction and Energy Markets.Requires rotating shift work (including scheduled weekends and evening periods).
   
   Characteristics & Qualifications:
   Required:
   HS degree or equivalent work experience0-5 years of work experience Ability to visualize and solve complex problems Ability to apply analytical and mathematical solutions Experience in customer service/support
   Preferred:
   BS degree in EngineeringAS degree in Computer ScienceNERC Certified System Operator - completed when hired PJM Operator Certifications - completed when hired

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with master candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   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 master

   Once you've found the master candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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 master 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 master?