How to hire a plastic machine operator

How to hire a plastic machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a plastic machine operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A plastic machine operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, plastic machine operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

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

   Type of Plastic Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Plastic Machine Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$11-19
   Assembly Operator	In a manufacturing setting, an assembly operator is in charge of assembling materials using hands or tools. Their responsibilities include following assembly guidelines, packing items in containers and boxes, operating tools and equipment, and developing strategies to optimize operations... Show more	$12-18
   Cell Operator	A Cell Operator is someone who handles a production cell in a company or factory. This position ensures that a cell unit of the production functions properly and efficiently... Show more	$14-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Quality Checks
   • CNC
   • Provide Technical Assistance
   • Mold Components
   • Lean Manufacturing
   • Safety Procedures
   • Production Process
   • Product Quality
   • Machine Operation
   • Assembly Line
   • Plastic Material
   • Extrusion
   • Automatic Machines
   • Customer Specifications

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist in color die changes for use in maintaining plastic extrusion machines.
   • Operate pallet jacks and heavy machinery assembling bolts and nuts into car parts for Honda.
   • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
   • Participate in technical support and assist validation and QA department during equipment validation.

   More plastic machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your plastic machine operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A plastic machine operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, plastic machine operators' average salary in florida is 49% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level plastic machine operators earn 40% less than senior-level plastic machine operators.
   • Certifications. A plastic machine operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a plastic machine operator's salary.

   Average plastic machine operator salary

   $15.29hourly

   $31,802 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level plastic machine operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average plastic machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$40,498	$19
   2	California	$35,754	$17
   3	Utah	$34,649	$17
   4	Illinois	$33,307	$16
   5	Missouri	$29,202	$14
   6	Michigan	$28,993	$14
   7	North Carolina	$28,892	$14
   8	Texas	$28,186	$14
   9	Ohio	$27,705	$13
   10	Tennessee	$24,570	$12

   Average plastic machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Dart Container	$35,061	$16.86	6
   2	Landscape Structures	$34,431	$16.55	6
   3	The Manufacturers' Association	$34,239	$16.46
   4	Southco	$34,167	$16.43
   5	Expert Staffing	$33,939	$16.32	1
   6	Pacific Coast Building Products	$33,771	$16.24	3
   7	Snelling	$33,652	$16.18	9
   8	Remedy Intelligent Staffing	$32,821	$15.78
   9	Hawthorne Gardening	$32,028	$15.40
   10	Staffworks Group	$31,919	$15.35	22
   11	The Advance Group	$31,837	$15.31	4
   12	ProMach	$31,619	$15.20	6
   13	PADNOS	$31,494	$15.14	3
   14	ManpowerGroup	$31,130	$14.97	121
   15	Randstad North America, Inc.	$31,104	$14.95	7
   16	Adecco	$30,671	$14.75	304
   17	Greene Tweed	$30,666	$14.74	2
   18	Peoplelink Staffing Solutions	$28,921	$13.90
   19	R.M. Schulte & Associates	$27,493	$13.22	1

4. Writing a plastic machine operator job description

   A plastic machine 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 plastic machine operator job description:

   Plastic machine operator job description example

   *Company in Salt Lake City, UT Looking for Machine Operators.*
   
   *Must be ok with undergoing taking a back ground test and drug test. *
   
   *Shift & Pay: *
   * 7am - 7pm OR 7pm - 7am (weekends included) MUCH BIGGER NEED ON NIGHT SHIFT
   * $20-$24/hr (DOE + Shift differential for night shift)
   
   *Essential Duties & Responsibilities*
   * On a daily basis will be responsible for assigned production lines to ensure that product is produced in accordance with established quality and product standards. Must familiarize yourself with the daily production goals so they are achieved for each line assignment.
   * Evaluate and discuss the operation of assigned machinery with the Machine Operator from the previous shift.
   * Will operate and adjust production line equipment, in accordance with established production standards as well as perform preventative maintenance and report any problems.
   * Machine Operators will perform quality checks on containers to ensure proper specifications are maintained.
   * Document any problems or adjustments made to assigned machinery.
   * Check and maintain defined levels of all raw materials used in production on assigned machinery.
   * Keep all assigned machines and area neat and clean of debris.
   * Responsible for conducting him/herself in a safe manner and adhering to all required safety protocols and policies.
   * Required to wear PPE properly in accordance with company standards.
   * Keep the area around your workstation clean and free from dirt and debris; this may include cleaning assigned areas of the building or pieces of equipment as instructed by your Supervisor.
   * Follows plant specified job specifications and task lists.
   * Must be able to work assigned shifts, including working overtime and attending after hour meetings as needed.
   * May be required to perform other duties as requested, directed or assigned.
   
   *Safety Responsibilities*
   * Monitor and verify activities to ensure that all products coming in and out of the facility meet food safety standards in addition to quality standards.
   * Comply with all company food safety and quality assurance procedures and document data correctly at all times.
   * Ensure all work product contact surfaces are restored to sanitary condition after any job completion.
   * Report any product or process failures that could impact food safety of manufactured product to Quality and/or Line/Maintenance Supervision.
   
   *Qualifications*
   * To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
   * The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
   *Education and Experience*
   * High School Diploma or GED preferred
   * 1-5 years of related experience and/or training preferred
   * Experience in plastics or packaging industry a plus
   * Working knowledge of computer operating systems
   
   Job Type: Full-time
   
   Pay: $20.00 - $24.00 per hour
   
   Benefits:
   * 401(k)
   * Dental insurance
   * Health insurance
   * Paid time off
   * Vision insurance
   Schedule:
   * 10 hour shift
   * 12 hour shift
   * 4x10
   * 4x12
   * 5x8
   * 8 hour shift
   * Day shift
   * Evening shift
   * Monday to Friday
   * Night shift
   * Overnight shift
   * Overtime
   * Weekend availability
   
   Application Question(s):
   * Please Provided Valid Phone Number.
   
   Experience:
   * Manufacturing: 1 year (Preferred)
   * Machine Operating: 1 year (Preferred)
   * Forklift: 1 year (Preferred)
   * Warehouse: 1 year (Preferred)
   
   Work Location: One location

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right plastic machine 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 plastic machine operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit plastic machine 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 plastic machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit plastic machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit plastic machine 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.

   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 plastic machine operator

   Once you've selected the best plastic machine 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.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new plastic machine operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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