How to hire a molder operator

How to hire a molder operator, step by step

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

What does a molder operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The molder 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 molder 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 molder operator that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of molder operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Molder Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Molder Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$12-18
   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
   Assembling Machine Operator	An assembling machine operator's role is to ensure the efficiency of assembly machines by setting or positioning the necessary components according to their sequence. Moreover, they must monitor the materials that the device produces, implement corrective measures if necessary, make sure that the machine is in good condition to maintain a safe working environment, and coordinate with the managers or supervisors should there be any issues... Show more	$11-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • GMP
   • Quality Checks
   • Dexterity
   • Troubleshoot
   • Quality Standards
   • Basic Math
   • Quality Inspection
   • Production Schedules
   • Safety Regulations
   • Catheter
   • Medical Devices
   • Extrusion
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Injection Molds

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Require molding expect rate of part producing and achieving ISO QualityStandards.
   • Mold canoes and kayaks also flash them.
   • Handle all the chemicals alone with proper PPE.
   • Certify to run both a bobcat and forklift.
   • Mold plastic casting of kayaks after pop out the oven.
   • Work on mold presses, extrusion line making material to be mold into parts.

   More molder operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your molder operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A molder operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, molder operators' average salary in tennessee is 36% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level molder operators 32% less than senior-level molder operators.
   • Certifications. A molder operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a molder operator's salary.

   Average molder operator salary

   $15.24hourly

   $31,707 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level molder operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average molder operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$37,675	$18
   2	Minnesota	$37,020	$18
   3	California	$35,716	$17
   4	Utah	$33,920	$16
   5	Kansas	$33,881	$16
   6	Wisconsin	$33,799	$16
   7	Illinois	$32,768	$16
   8	Alabama	$32,241	$16
   9	Washington	$31,373	$15
   10	Oklahoma	$31,297	$15
   11	New York	$30,045	$14
   12	Massachusetts	$29,553	$14
   13	Ohio	$29,133	$14
   14	Texas	$28,268	$14
   15	Tennessee	$26,307	$13

   Average molder operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	BD	$40,774	$19.60	5
   2	Masimo	$38,666	$18.59	1
   3	Kohler Co.	$38,329	$18.43	1
   4	Eaton	$38,064	$18.30	56
   5	The Clorox Company	$37,934	$18.24	22
   6	Teleflex	$37,124	$17.85	1
   7	Press-Seal Gasket Corporation	$36,646	$17.62
   8	West Pharmaceutical Services	$36,595	$17.59	20
   9	Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems	$36,281	$17.44
   10	Toro	$36,219	$17.41	2
   11	Johns Manville	$36,082	$17.35	9
   12	Toyo Tire North America Inc	$36,052	$17.33
   13	Greif	$35,756	$17.19	55
   14	Biomerics	$35,469	$17.05	9
   15	Barry Callebaut Group	$34,885	$16.77	8
   16	Clearfield	$34,679	$16.67	5
   17	Tennant	$34,400	$16.54
   18	Amphenol	$34,040	$16.37
   19	Chevron	$33,914	$16.30	3
   20	Cooper Standard	$33,882	$16.29

4. Writing a molder operator job description

   A molder 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. Below, you can find an example of a molder operator job description:

   Molder operator job description example

   Express Employment Professionals in Chanhassen are looking for dependable Molder Operators. We are offering $150 gas card after working 4 weeks putting in 160 hours. If you want to get into a good company with an excellent work environment this is the job for you!

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate molding machine in a safe and efficient manner using designated tools
   • Able to perform basic mathematical calculations.
   • Must be able to follow detailed work instructions and video aids and read features of blueprints
   • Ability to learn and use microscope
   • Ability to use small hand tools (for example: tweezers, exacto knives)
   • Ability to multi-task assigned job duties and work unsupervised
   • Must be able to read, write, speak and comprehend written and verbal instructions in English
   • This position requires that you work in a clean room environment, wearing a gown, gloves, hairnet, and other garments as required to ensure a clean, safe and sterile environment.
   • Perform secondary operations such as trimming or clipping parts as needed.
   • May inspect and process, under magnification, parts per the SOP/PSOP to ensure quality and customer specifications.

   Qualifications:

   • Ability to stand for extended periods of time – often the full shift of 8 – 10 hours
   • Ability to sit for long periods of time
   • Fine motor skills in hands/wrist and good hand/eye coordination
   • Good vision (with or without corrective lenses)
   • Ability to lift up to 20 lbs, on occasion

   #CMN

   The Molding Operator position is Monday-Friday from 2:00pm-10:30pm and the pay is $20.00/hr. We are offering $150 gas card after working 4 weeks putting in 160 hours. If interested, please apply to www.expresspros.com.

   PandoLogic. Keywords: Molding Machine Operator, Location: Chanhassen, MN - 55317

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right molder operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with molder operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit molder operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting molder operators 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 molder operator

   Once you've found the molder operator 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.

   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.)

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How much does it cost to hire a molder operator?