How to hire a parts inspector

How to hire a parts inspector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step parts inspector hiring guide:

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

Post a parts inspector job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the parts inspector you need to hire. Certain parts inspector roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   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 parts inspector 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 parts inspector that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of parts inspectors.

   Type of Parts Inspector	Description	Hourly rate
   Parts Inspector	Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.	$9-16
   Test Operator	The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement... Show more	$12-23
   Inspector General	An inspector general is responsible for doing audit reports and inspections to ensure that no possible fraud, misconduct, corruption, or power abuse in the government or private sector occurs. Their role is to monitor and inspect the agencies' effectiveness, assess possible mismanagement of a company, and improve the economy... Show more	$14-35

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Assembly Line
   • Safety Regulations
   • Quality Standards
   • Inspection Results
   • Inspection Procedures
   • FAA
   • Honda
   • Measure Materials
   • CMM
   • Quality Checks
   • Visual Inspections
   • Meeting Specifications
   • Quality Inspection
   • Test Data

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Inventory and manage all stock products within a retail warehousing environment utilizing RF scanner and barcode readers to document material.
   • Perform repair per FAA CMM guide.
   • Inspect and sort DVD rentals.
   • Certify in die blueprint reading and operating CMM & CMC machines.
   • Operate machinery to help clean and repackage DVD's for distribution.
   • Report QA inventory and MDR status and collect product/shipment data to determine daily department inspection priorities.

   More parts inspector duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, parts inspectors' average salary in mississippi is 44% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level parts inspectors 43% less than senior-level parts inspectors.
   • Certifications. A parts inspector 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 parts inspector's salary.

   Average parts inspector salary

   $12.81hourly

   $26,649 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level parts inspector salary

   $20,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average parts inspector salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$38,196	$18
   2	Nebraska	$32,012	$15
   3	Massachusetts	$31,878	$15
   4	California	$31,408	$15
   5	New Hampshire	$29,853	$14
   6	Oregon	$29,186	$14
   7	Utah	$28,730	$14
   8	Illinois	$28,348	$14
   9	Oklahoma	$27,749	$13
   10	Texas	$26,640	$13
   11	Colorado	$26,570	$13
   12	Pennsylvania	$26,377	$13
   13	Kentucky	$26,044	$13
   14	Indiana	$25,114	$12
   15	Michigan	$23,719	$11
   16	Florida	$23,415	$11

   Average parts inspector salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	General Electric	$39,439	$18.96	38
   2	Lockheed Martin	$34,221	$16.45	54
   3	Raytheon Technologies	$33,503	$16.11	24
   4	Komatsu America Corp.	$32,658	$15.70
   5	Brunswick	$32,255	$15.51	2
   6	Thermo Fisher Scientific	$31,225	$15.01	2
   7	Safran	$30,929	$14.87	37
   8	Masis Staffing	$29,968	$14.41
   9	TriMark	$29,332	$14.10
   10	Kelly Services	$29,039	$13.96	25
   11	Sumitomo Electric Carbide	$28,634	$13.77	1
   12	PeopleReady	$28,294	$13.60	18
   13	Adecco	$28,169	$13.54	40
   14	Staffmark	$28,054	$13.49
   15	AtWork	$27,643	$13.29	4
   16	PrideStaff	$27,541	$13.24
   17	Staff Management	$27,421	$13.18	3
   18	Elwood Staffing	$27,183	$13.07
   19	AGC Partners	$27,046	$13.00
   20	Randstad North America, Inc.	$27,014	$12.99

4. Writing a parts inspector job description

   A parts inspector 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 parts inspector job description:

   Parts inspector job description example

   Our Precision Products segment serves the aerospace and defense markets providing precision safe and arming solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; restoration, modification and support of our SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters; manufacture and support of our heavy lift K-MAX manned helicopter, the K-MAX TITAN unmanned aerial system and the KARGO UAV unmanned aerial system, a purpose built autonomous medium lift logistics vehicle.
   
   We are looking for candidates who share our core values of Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Creativity and Honor (REACH). Find out more about us at Kaman.com/Careers.
   
   As a Parts Inspector on our Quality team, you will perform dimensional and visual inspection of complex in-process and completed machines, cast, molded and fabricated parts.
   
   + Frequently work to tolerances of .0001 or more, using complex inspection equipment and other such items as tool maker's microscope, coordinate measuring machine, rotary table, and sine plate. Interpret and inspect to engineering drawings, specifications and other approved work documents for such characteristics as functional testing as dimensional configuration, hardness, surface roughness, visual appearance and completion of required operations; records inspection results and completes required paperwork.
   
   + Record inspection results and complete required documentation. May occasionally be required to inspect templates, jigs, fixtures and gauges. Report discrepancies or conditions that would result in defective products.
   
   + Coordinate with product and quality assurance engineers to communicate and explain non-conforming conditions and obtain necessary corrective action; may work with customer inspector during concurrent inspections. May be required to plot measurements on control charts and histograms. Interpret and use company/customer specified sampling plans. Assist in formulating and reporting recommendations for correction of process to eliminate or reduce percentage of defects.
   
   + Instruct and guide lower level inspection personnel as required. Maintains certification documents control. Provide input to improve the material/fabrication incoming-to-line process. May be required to participate in improvement activities.
   + High School Diploma or equivalent.
   
   + 1 to 3 years of practical trades training.
   
   + Requires use of shop mathematics, together with the use of drawings, specifications, charts, tables, a variety of precision measuring instruments and/or the use of some training generally applicable in a particular or specialized field.
   
   Why Work at Kaman?
   
   We offer competitive salaries along with group medical, vision and dental plans.
   
   We provide ample time off including a paid end of year shutdown to relax and recharge.
   
   We promote your financial well-being through 401(k) matching and an employee stock purchase program.
   
   We will help you advance your career through mentorship, promotional opportunities, training and development, and a generous tuition reimbursement program.
   
   We enjoy fun, monthly employee events and participate in charity drives to build a culture of caring and belonging.
   
   We appreciate our employees and recognize their outstanding contributions and years of service through generous awards programs.
   
   Job Posting Title: Parts Inspector I
   
   
   Name: Kaman Aerospace
   
   Name: Shift 1
   
   Street: 217 Smith Road

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting parts inspectors 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 to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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 parts inspector

   Once you have selected a candidate for the parts inspector position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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 parts inspector. 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a parts inspector?