How to hire a polygraph examiner

How to hire a polygraph examiner, step by step

Here's a step-by-step polygraph examiner hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your polygraph examiner job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a polygraph examiner for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect polygraph examiner 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of polygraph examiners.

   Type of Polygraph Examiner	Description	Hourly rate
   Polygraph Examiner		$22-57
   Examiner	An examiner is responsible for evaluating loan property and documents, assessing the property's value, and issuing a clear sale title upon ensuring no restrictions to the property. Examiners coordinate with banks, realty institutions, and other agencies to determine the property's status before proceeding with its sales release... Show more	$14-33

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Polygraph Examinations
   • Test Results
   • DOD
   • Counterintelligence
   • Criminal Justice
   • Criminal Investigations
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Background Investigations
   • Polygraphs
   • Criminal Cases

   Responsibilities:

   • Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
   • Complete evidence processing and AFIS database entry using ULW.
   • Collect, preserve and analyze digital evidence in the context of civil litigation and corporate investigations.
   • Assist with the testing of a new transaction manager for the DoD ABIS (an AFIS like system).
   • Provide technical guidance and assistance to staff personnel involve in the investigation and litigation process.
   • Provide direction and guidance on several high-profile homicide investigations, as well as numerous additional criminal and narcotics investigations.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, polygraph examiners' average salary in hawaii is 34% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level polygraph examiners earn 61% less than senior-level polygraph examiners.
   • Certifications. A polygraph examiner 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 polygraph examiner's salary.

   Average polygraph examiner salary

   $74,875yearly

   $36.00 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level polygraph examiner salary

   $46,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a polygraph examiner job description

   A job description for a polygraph examiner role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a polygraph examiner job description:

   Polygraph examiner job description example

   Why Xator Corporation? Xator Corporation is a privately owned company established in 2005 to provide services to the US Government and its support contractors. We implement cost-effective solutions that enable our customers to successfully execute their mission and are dedicated to delivering best-value services and solutions that support our national security. At Xator, we maintain a work environment that fosters new ideas, challenges the status quo and rewards success. We strive to supply the best people using proven processes and industry-leading technologies to deliver solutions that exceed expectations. We do not just provide products and services - we stand behind them. Exceed your expectations today... Join the XATOR team!
   Clearance Requirement : TS/SCI
   
   Job Summary
   
   The Polygraph Examiner's main responsibility will be to support the client by administering Counterintelligence (CI) Scope Polygraph (CSP) and/or Empirical Scoring System (ESS) screening examinations for use in determining clearance and access eligibility to classified information. Must be available to work CONUS and OCONUS locations.
   
   Responsibilities and Duties
   
   * Administer Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph examinations consistent with federal and client policies, practices, and procedures.
   * Required to utilize testing techniques, formats, forms and procedures, which have been approved and provided by the customer.
   * Establish rapport during the examination process and maintain trust to achieve the highest levels of cooperation
   * As directed, conduct extended series testing
   * Maintain an initial polygraph examination resolution rate of 80%.
   * As required, attend client sponsored or directed meetings and briefings
   
   Qualifications and Skills
   
   * Bachelors Degree (4 years) from accredited College or working to complete a Bachelors Degree.
   * Minimum 10 years of experience as a credentialed Counterintelligence Special Agent
   * Minimum one year polygraph experience with strong ability to conduct physiological detection of deception (PDD) countermeasures
   * Military counterintelligence experience preferred, not required.
   * Meet compliance with Federal Polygraph Continuing Education Certification Program standards
   * Must maintain the highest degree of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality when handling information related to the position.
   * Must be able to maintain absolute objectivity
   * Preferred to have an understanding of CI or HUMINT collection operations
   * Strong understanding of CI Flags
   
   Must be a graduate of one of the following:
   
   * Graduate from the Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PPD) program taught by the National Center for Credibility Assessment or equivalent program (i.e., DACA, DoDPI, USAMPS)
   * National Center for Credibility Assessment accredited polygraph certification (basic polygraph examiners training course)
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   * Though the setting will be in an office environment, this position, requires that you be able to walk 2 miles, conduct examinations in hot, cold or inclement weather conditions.
   
   On September 24, 2021, the U.S. Government's Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued "2021 Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors" mandating that Covered federal contractors, including Xator Corporation, and their employees shall be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Therefore, this position may require individuals to be fully vaccinated (2 weeks past final dose) or have been granted a religious or medical accommodation by December 8, 2021 or shortly thereafter.
   
   Equal Opportunity Statement
   
   Xator Corporation, and its Subsidiaries, provides equal opportunity to all applicants for employment as required by and/or consistent with applicable country law and company policy. Consistent with the foregoing, Xator Corporation provides qualified applicants consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veterans' status, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other status(s) protected by law. In the United States, Xator Corporation ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find polygraph examiners 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 polygraph examiners they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level polygraph examiners 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 polygraph examiner job on Zippia to find and recruit polygraph examiner candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit polygraph examiners, 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 polygraph examiner

   Once you have selected a candidate for the polygraph examiner 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.

   To prepare for the new polygraph examiner first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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