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How to hire a plastic technician

Plastic technician hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring plastic technicians in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a plastic technician is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new plastic technician to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a plastic technician, step by step

To hire a plastic technician, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a plastic technician:

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

    Before you start hiring a plastic technician, 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?

    Hiring the perfect plastic technician 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.

    Here's a comparison of plastic technician salaries for various roles:

    Type of Plastic TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Plastic TechnicianMetal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.$13-22
    Die SetterIn manufacturing facilities, a die setter is primarily in charge of setting up machines and equipment, selecting and utilizing various tools, preparing molds, gathering measurements and analyzing data, keeping records, monitoring the operations of machinery, and processing products according to protocols. They may also conduct regular maintenance checks, troubleshoot errors, perform basic repairs or adjustments, and produce regular reports for managers... Show more$13-22
    Molder OperatorA molder operator sets up for the production of millwork, which is a crucial and major output of precision wood products. This position requires experience with all machinery associated with the woodworking industry... Show more$12-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Hand Tools
    • Grinders
    • Extrusion
    • Process Adjustments
    • Color Changes
    • ABS
    • Material Consumption
    • RAN
    • Assess Product Quality
    • Customer Specifications
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage utilization of LOTO procedures, GMP standards and OSHA safety standards.
    • Melt and apply solder along edges of work pieces to solder joints using soldering irons and gas torches.
    • Operate various plastic sheet extrusion machines to supply the thermoforming department.
    • Maintain ISO standards, training, meetings, and safety procedures.
    • Operate and maintain material dryers and resin systems to include regrind during the shift.
    • Perform and record require checks on dryers, material blending and resin systems and react to out of spec conditions.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your plastic technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A plastic technician salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, plastic technicians' average salary in florida is 37% less than in nebraska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level plastic technicians earn 40% less than senior-level plastic technicians.
    • Certifications. A plastic technician 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 technician's salary.

    Average plastic technician salary

    $36,725yearly

    $17.66 hourly rate

    Entry-level plastic technician salary
    $28,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 15, 2026
  4. Writing a plastic technician job description

    A plastic technician 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 technician job description:

    Plastic technician job description example

    1) The tissue in plants that brings water upward from the roots;

    2) a leading global water technology company.

    Xylem, a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world's most challenging water issues, is the leading global provider of efficient, innovative and sustainable water technologies improving the way water is used, managed, conserved and re-used. Our international team is unified in a common purpose: creating advanced technology and other trusted solutions to solve the world's water challenges. We are committed to creating an organization of inclusion and diversity, where everyone feels involved, respected, valued and connected, and where everyone is free to bring their authentic selves and ideas.

    If you are excited and passionate about helping us #letssolvewater, we want to hear from you!

    The Role: Xylem seeks to hire a Plastic Injection Molding Set-up Technician to work onsite at its Uniontown, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility The Plastics Injection Molding Set-up Technician will set plastic injection molds of all sizes and complexities in a variety of plastic injection molding machines to be able to efficiently produce quality parts. The set-up technician will be responsible for maintaining the process during the production run and assisting molding machine operators as needed.

    **Medical, Dental and Retirement benefits begin on first day of employment**

    Essential Duties/Principal Responsibilities:

    • Removes mold and auxiliary equipment from press and returns equipment to proper location. Sets next mold, locates and fastens on press, adjusts by shimming, sets ejection, sets pins, sets and adjusts to prescribed pressures, stroke, and temperatures, changing piping as required. Sample parts visually as well as dimensionally using micrometers, depth gauges, Federal dial indicators, etc.
    • Set and adjust machine controls according to specifications or from instructions of supervisor. Use all available setup records as a guide to machine setup in relation to machine cycles, temperature settings, etc.
    • Setup and prepare auxiliary equipment such as temperature controllers, conveyors, resin dryers, finishing tools, drill press, tapping head, etc.
    • Report to supervisor any setups that cannot be run in accordance with prescribed methods.
    • Have machine in operation and producing acceptable parts, checked by inspection, before releasing for production operation.
    • Instruct operator on proper operation of machine such as loading and unloading machine, etc.
    • Acknowledge and correct molding difficulties. Report to supervisor of all problems and all difficulties with molding process
    • Maintain accurate records on job starting and stopping times, production counts, and machine downtime.
    • Maintain a clean and orderly work area, quantity, quality, and safety standards or procedures.
    • Perform additional job duties not outlined but within the scope of the job activities as directed
    • Participation in Xylem Watermark volunteer activities

    Minimum Qualifications: Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities

    • 5 years of plastics injection molding set-up and processing experience
    • Experience with robotic load/unload/packing equipment is highly preferred
    • Hand-on set-up related experience with plastic injection molding machines, cranes, various hand tools, temperature controllers, drill press, tapping arms, pick and place robots, etc.

    We Offer You More Than Just “A Job”

    • Professional Development - To advance the capabilities of our people, we offer a wide variety of experiences to support our employees' professional growth and continuous learning.
    • Total Rewards - We offer comprehensive programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, work-life integration and corporate citizenship.
    • Watermark - Watermark is our corporate social responsibility program working to provide education and access to safe water to ensure healthy lives, gender equality, and resilient communities. Employees have the opportunity to learn and volunteer on various water-related projects.
    • Employee Networks - Our Employee Networks provide a professional, supportive network for employees from diverse backgrounds, including Women's, LGBT+ and Allies, Veteran's, People of Color and Allies, Hispanic Origin & Latin Affinity, Emerging Leaders, Working Parents Networks and Non-Native English Speakers and Allies.

    Physical Demands/Work Environment:

    (The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters and must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

    • May be required on occasion to lift and carry 25-30 pounds and up to 55 lbs. on rare occasion
    • Regularly required to stand, reach, bend, walk, climb, and move about the facility.
    • May be required to change shifts as demand or seniority dictates
    • Standard weekly job hours: 40 hours; daily and weekend overtime may be required
    • The plant work environment is a typical manufacturing environment with moving machinery/equipment, concrete floors, and temperature fluctuations due to climate and seasonal changes where not environmentally controlled.
    • Protective eyewear, safety toe shoes and other personal protective equipment required.
    • Hearing protection required in some areas due to machinery and factory-related noise.

    Xylem is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

  5. Post your job

    To find plastic technicians for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any plastic technicians they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level plastic technicians with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your plastic technician job on Zippia to find and recruit plastic technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit plastic technicians, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    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 technician

    Once you have selected a candidate for the plastic technician 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.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new plastic technician. 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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How much does it cost to hire a plastic technician?

Before you start to hire plastic technicians, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire plastic technicians pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $36,725 per year for a plastic technician, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for plastic technicians in the US typically range between $13 and $22 an hour.

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