How to hire a mill operator

How to hire a mill operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step mill operator hiring guide:

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

What does a mill operator do?

Post a mill operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The mill operator 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

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

   Here's a comparison of mill operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Mill Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Mill Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$14-23
   Machine Operator/Forklift Operator	A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment... Show more	$12-18
   Furnace Operator	A furnace operator records time and production data, adjusts thermostats, and observes a pyrometer to maintain the temperature between specified limits. The operators set furnace control to regulate the temperature and heating time... Show more	$13-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC
   • OSHA
   • Math
   • Calipers
   • Hand Tools
   • Safety Rules
   • Safety Procedures
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Overhead Cranes
   • Troubleshoot
   • Asphalt
   • Forklifts
   • Safety Committee
   • End Loaders

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
   • Perform all work in respirator and other proper PPE.
   • Skil at training other machinists on CNC machines in this shop.
   • Assemble parts, operate CNC lathe and mills and adjust off sets.
   • Perform QC testing on products, filing paperwork per company and ISO standards.
   • Rebuild Rotex sifters, fabricate and replace screens, replace shoes and anvils in impact mills.

   More mill operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   Average mill operator salary

   $39,045yearly

   $18.77 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level mill operator salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average mill operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$46,269	$22
   2	Colorado	$44,861	$22
   3	New Jersey	$42,389	$20
   4	North Dakota	$42,245	$20
   5	Arizona	$41,788	$20
   6	Washington	$41,641	$20
   7	North Carolina	$41,125	$20
   8	Pennsylvania	$40,764	$20
   9	Wisconsin	$40,586	$20
   10	Indiana	$39,945	$19
   11	Ohio	$39,902	$19
   12	Kansas	$39,836	$19
   13	Tennessee	$37,909	$18
   14	Texas	$37,341	$18
   15	Arkansas	$37,233	$18
   16	Idaho	$36,057	$17

   Average mill operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Freeport-McMoRan	$51,538	$24.78	30
   2	MDU Resources	$48,836	$23.48	2
   3	Boeing	$48,721	$23.42	32
   4	ADM	$45,478	$21.86	91
   5	Novelis	$45,397	$21.83	11
   6	Mars	$45,086	$21.68	18
   7	Masco	$44,772	$21.52	16
   8	North American Stainless	$44,602	$21.44
   9	Anheuser-Busch	$44,350	$21.32	11
   10	Martin Marietta	$43,976	$21.14	27
   11	Coeur Mining	$43,899	$21.11
   12	Valmont Industries	$43,712	$21.02	11
   13	Infinity	$43,600	$20.96
   14	Bunge	$43,374	$20.85	5
   15	Andersen	$43,363	$20.85	4
   16	Behr Holdings Corporation	$43,039	$20.69	4
   17	Brunswick	$43,017	$20.68	9
   18	BrassCraft	$42,672	$20.52	1
   19	WestRock	$42,607	$20.48	41
   20	R+L Carriers	$42,585	$20.47	33

4. Writing a mill operator job description

   A mill operator 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 mill operator job description:

   Mill operator job description example

   Opening 55-gallon drums with use of pliers and wrench.

   Perform the filling of 5-6 gallon pails with liquids from semi-bulk totes.

   Maintain the proper use of a hand held scanner in order to record inventory movements.

   Maintain accurate records of inventory movements, formula adjustments and reports.

   Know and maintain the use of computer controlled automations systems for delivery of raw materials and operations of milling equipment.

   JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

   EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/TRAINING:

   Educational attainment equivalent to high school graduation, supplemented by extensive milling experience

   KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES RECOMMENDED FOR POSITION:

   Thorough understanding of chemicals used in paint making including, functionality and hazards

   Knowledge of safety procedure as well as applicable OSHA, DOT and environmental rules and regulations

   Ability to plan, organize, and complete assignments in a timely manner

   Ability to communicate with others, both verbally and written

   Maintain professional relationships with all levels of management and outside vendors.

   Ability to perform mathematical calculations including fractions, decimals, and percentages

   Thorough knowledge of measures of weight, volume and conversion methods

   Ability to read and write the English Language

   Computer Skills

   SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

   Operate a forklift

   STATUS: Hourly

   #MFGNH

   Company: Behr Paint CompanyShift 3 (United States of America)Full time

   BEHR (the “Company”) is an equal opportunity employer and we want to have the best available persons in every job. The Company makes employment decisions only based on merit. It is the Company’s policy to prohibit discrimination in any employment opportunity (including but not limited to recruitment, employment, promotion, salary increases, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment) based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability, medical condition, marital/domestic partner status, military and veteran status, height, weight or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. The Company is committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of the Company regardless of where the employee is located and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of the Company.

   BEHR is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States. Please click on the following links for more information.

   E-Verify Participation Poster: English & Spanish
   E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English & Spanish

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find mill operators 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 mill operator job on Zippia to find and recruit mill operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit mill operators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 mill operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect mill operator 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.

   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 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a mill operator?