How to hire a press machine operator

How to hire a press machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The press machine 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?

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect press machine 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 press machine operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Press Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Press Machine Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$14-22
   Molder Operator	A 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
   Set-Up Operator	A machine set-up operator operates machinery such as grinders, bores, and mills. They prepare machines to be used by organizing tools, setting valve directions, sharpening tools as needed, positioning tools, and conducting regular maintenance.	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC
   • Punch Press Machine
   • Quality Checks
   • Safety Guidelines
   • Brake Press
   • Product Quality
   • Assembly Line
   • Production Process
   • ISO
   • Hydraulic Press
   • PPE
   • Production Schedules
   • Pallet Jack
   • Perform Routine Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Perform necassary quality checks using caliper, micrometers, and optical comparators to insure product meets specifics of blueprints.
   • Order new material predict troubles and delays for production schedules check out final product to ensure that it meet ISO standards
   • Stamp press operator, QC and SPC gauge parts, and assembly
   • Load supplies into machines either by hand or using hoists, replace molds and cutting surfaces.
   • Verify conformance to specifications, using calipers.
   • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.

   More press machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   Average press machine operator salary

   $37,759yearly

   $18.15 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level press machine operator salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average press machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$40,859	$20
   2	Wisconsin	$40,758	$20
   3	Washington	$40,565	$20
   4	Pennsylvania	$40,405	$19
   5	California	$39,949	$19
   6	North Dakota	$39,888	$19
   7	Illinois	$39,591	$19
   8	Ohio	$37,877	$18
   9	South Carolina	$36,960	$18
   10	Indiana	$36,872	$18
   11	Michigan	$36,021	$17
   12	North Carolina	$35,874	$17
   13	Missouri	$35,251	$17
   14	Texas	$34,221	$16
   15	Georgia	$33,867	$16
   16	Tennessee	$33,375	$16
   17	Arizona	$33,358	$16
   18	Florida	$32,696	$16

   Average press machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Johnson Controls	$48,953	$23.54	15
   2	Thermo Fisher Scientific	$44,624	$21.45	59
   3	Winston Industries	$44,554	$21.42
   4	Amcor	$44,347	$21.32	162
   5	Clean Juice	$43,756	$21.04
   6	Siemens	$43,542	$20.93	2
   7	Goodman Manufacturing	$43,366	$20.85
   8	Reynolds Consumer Products Holdings LLC	$42,876	$20.61	6
   9	E.C. Styberg Engineering	$42,374	$20.37
   10	Alto-Shaam	$41,727	$20.06
   11	Eaton	$41,539	$19.97	69
   12	Tyson Foods	$41,468	$19.94	4
   13	Millerbernd Systems	$40,975	$19.70	6
   14	HEICO	$40,892	$19.66	4
   15	TBI	$39,751	$19.11
   16	Honeywell	$39,466	$18.97	8
   17	The Next Level	$39,462	$18.97	6
   18	A.C.S.	$38,842	$18.67
   19	Acushnet Holdings	$38,838	$18.67
   20	TRIPP	$38,323	$18.42

4. Writing a press machine operator job description

   A press 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 press machine operator job description:

   Press machine operator job description example

   Job Description NIC Global is a single-source manufacturer providing turn-key mechanical and electromechanical assembly, expert sheet metal fabrication, and global sourcing of metal and plastic components. We provide products to great customers such as Philips, PACCAR (Kenworth & Peterbilt), Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Physio Controls, and Leviton to name a few. Our growing company employs over 600 people in Washington, Tennessee, Ohio, and Texas.
   
   Come work with us and experience our fun, family like atmosphere that provides a great place to work. Employees are celebrated through quarterly employee appreciation events, holiday parties, cook outs, company gifts, and various other employee events and recognition programs. We feel that great companies value their employees, and those employees are vital to the overall success of the entire organization.
   In addition to an outstanding company culture, NIC Global offers other great benefits including: Eligible for insurance 1st of the month after 30 days, including: Choice of two health insurance plans FREE Dental Insurance Employer paid life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability plans Vision Insurance Additional Life Insurance Accident insurance Critical illness insurance Federal health and dependent care savings accounts (FSA) Eligible after 6 months: 401(k) plan, with employer match Tuition Reimbursement Other benefits include generous PTO accrual and holiday pay. *We are also currently paying a fuel stipend of $25.00 every two weeks to help offset the rising cost of fuel.* *This shift is M-Th 3:30pm-2:00am. There is a $2.00/hr differential for working on this shift.* ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES
   • Operates Amada turret punch press.
   • Loads and unloads tools, operates the machine control, maintenance of the machine, deburring parts while in production, performing secondary operations on punched parts.
   • This job description reflects the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. Additional duties and responsibilities may be required, based upon business needs, at any time with or without notice.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   • High school level education or equivalent and specialized training which may be obtained in vocational courses or on the job.
   • Requires basic knowledge of procedures and a mechanic aptitude.
   • Experience with turret press a plus
   
   PHYSICAL DEMANDS
   Ability to lift 50lbs with or without accommodations.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with press machine operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of 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 press machine operator

   Once you've selected the best press 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new press machine operator 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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