How to hire a Numerical Control Operator

How to hire a numerical control operator, step by step

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

What does a Numerical Control Operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The numerical control 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?

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   Hiring the perfect numerical control operator 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.

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

   Type Of Numerical Control Operator	Description	Hourly Rate
   Numerical Control Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$13-24
   Machinist	Machinists are skilled professionals who create metal works by using different machines. They work with clients to bring their clients' vision to life... Show More	$13-28
   Maintenance Machinist	A Maintenance Machinist is responsible for implementing and maintaining industrial machinery. Their primary duties include investigating and diagnosing equipment failures and performing corrective actions.	$17-35

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Calipers
   • Micrometers
   • Math
   • Lathe Machines
   • Hand Tools
   • Safety Standards
   • Basic Math
   • G Code
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Quality Checks
   • Quality Standards
   • FANUC
   • Troubleshoot
   • Safety Procedures

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Perform trial runs on new CNC programs, working with programming and tooling to achieve satisfactory parts.
   • Set up and run vertical milling machines and Mori-Seiki lathes
   • Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and calipers
   • Set up and operate machine turning tools (lathes, MAZAK).
   • Used manual and CNC mills (HAAS), lathes (HAAS) and (OKUMA) and surface grinders.
   • Mill and lathe g-code programming.

   More Numerical Control Operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   Average numerical control operator salary

   $38,280yearly

   $18.40 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level numerical control operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2025

   Average numerical control operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	Oregon	$40,115	$19
   2	Pennsylvania	$39,972	$19
   3	New York	$39,272	$19
   4	California	$38,549	$19
   5	Illinois	$38,001	$18
   6	Minnesota	$37,985	$18
   7	Ohio	$37,885	$18
   8	Wisconsin	$37,088	$18
   9	Kansas	$36,906	$18
   10	Michigan	$36,840	$18
   11	Texas	$36,516	$18
   12	Indiana	$36,043	$17
   13	Tennessee	$36,020	$17
   14	North Carolina	$35,652	$17
   15	Nebraska	$35,333	$17
   16	Florida	$34,556	$17
   17	Oklahoma	$33,973	$16

   Average numerical control operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	BWX Technologies	$62,918	$30.25	29
   2	Architectural Design Incorporated	$55,465	$26.67
   3	Vicor	$54,800	$26.35	5
   4	Amphenol	$54,171	$26.04	7
   5	Astronics	$54,027	$25.97	8
   6	Cyient	$53,969	$25.95	5
   7	Smiths Group	$50,326	$24.20	1
   8	TMA Solutions	$49,853	$23.97	3
   9	ABB	$49,442	$23.77	42
   10	Twin Disc	$49,299	$23.70	1
   11	General Electric	$49,263	$23.68	61
   12	Sierra Pacific Industries	$48,497	$23.32	3
   13	Johnson Controls	$48,419	$23.28	98
   14	MDU Resources	$48,305	$23.22	3
   15	Northrop Grumman	$48,052	$23.10	276
   16	Volvo Trucks	$47,997	$23.08	6
   17	IDEX	$47,883	$23.02	25
   18	Valmont Industries	$47,584	$22.88	13
   19	The Manitowoc Company	$47,455	$22.81	1
   20	Siemens	$46,878	$22.54	40

4. Writing a Numerical Control Operator Job Description

   A good numerical control operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a numerical control operator job description:

   Numerical Control Operator job description example

   Would you like to put your talents to work at a purpose-driven company who is on Forbes' List of Best Midsize Employers? Explore how you can be a part of charting a course to a healthier world at Pentair. Come join our collaborative team that is working to deliver smart, sustainable water solutions to individuals across the world!
   
   $1,000 Welcome Bonus - $500 paid at 60 days of employment and $500 paid at 120 days of employment Starting at $22/hour8% shift premium for 2nd and 3rd shift Perform operations necessary to face, turn, bore, chamfer, groove, thread, drill, tap, and wash a variety of materials and parts Utilize CNC equipment, manual machines, precision measuring equipment, overhead hoists, hand tools/power tools/air tools, and refractometer Maintain proper coolant ratios and levels and perform routine maintenance Required to read part drawings and use adjustable and fixed gauges to check work Perform other duties as assigned at other department work centers (drill press station, impeller balancing work center, parts washer, EDM burner)1-2 years of CNC machine operation experience preferred (does not require set up experience)
   Benefits
   As a Pentair employee, you would enjoy a wide array of benefit options to help keep you and your family healthy and protected.
   11 Holidays each year2 weeks of vacation to start40 hours of sick time Medical, Dental and Vision InsurancePaid Parental LeaveFlex Spending Accounts
   Health Care Flex SpendingDependent Day Care Flex Spending
   401k match up to 5%25% employee stock purchase match up to $9,000/yr Identity theft monitoring Life Insurance up to 10x base pay Tuition ReimbursementShort Term and Long Term Disability
   Pentair is an Equal Opportunity Employer
   With our expanding global presence, cross-cultural insight and competence are essential for our ongoing success. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes different perspectives and creative ideas that enable us to continue to improve every day. Race, gender, ethnicity, country of origin, age, personal style, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, life experiences and many more factors contribute to this diversity.
   Diversity and Inclusion:
   With our expanding global presence, cross-cultural insight and competence are essential for our ongoing success. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes different perspectives and creative ideas that enable us to continue to improve every day. Race, gender, ethnicity, country of origin, age, personal style, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, life experiences and many more factors contribute to this diversity.
   We take ongoing action to improve the diversity of our workforce by:
   Ensuring leadership involvement and ownership Attracting and retaining diverse talent at all levels Fostering a globally aware, inclusive culture Ensuring our practices are fair and non-discriminatory

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit numerical control 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.

   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 numerical control operator

   Once you've selected the best numerical control operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new numerical control operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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