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How to hire a production inspector

Production inspector hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring production inspectors in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a production inspector 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 production inspector to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a production inspector, step by step

To hire a production inspector, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a production inspector, you should follow these steps:

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

    First, determine the employments status of the production inspector you need to hire. Certain production 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?

    A production inspector's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, production inspectors 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.

    This list shows salaries for various types of production inspectors.

    Type of Production InspectorDescriptionHourly rate
    Production InspectorQuality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.$12-20
    Test OperatorThe 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 GeneralAn 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Production Equipment
    • Safety Procedures
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Calipers
    • Quality Standards
    • Circuit Boards
    • Troubleshoot
    • OSHA
    • Detect Defects
    • FAA
    • Safety Standards
    • Aerospace
    • Production Process
    • Dimensional Accuracy
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Read blueprints, used calipers and rulers for measuring.
    • Follow strict FDA regulations with regard to GPM standards and safety.
    • Perform periodic reviews of the batch record throughout the production operation to ensure GMP compliance.
    • Copper tube units and inspect units.accomplishmentshelp troubleshoot units.Skills Usedbrazzing and troubleshooting
    • Perform visual external corrosion and internal erosion inspection utilizing NDT techniques on process piping and equipment during refinery turnarounds.
    • Promote and maintain a positive working relationship within MRB and other support organizations.
    More production inspector duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your production inspector job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A production inspector salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, production inspectors' average salary in alabama is 51% less than in district of columbia.
    • Seniority. Entry-level production inspectors earn 38% less than senior-level production inspectors.
    • Certifications. A production inspector 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 production inspector's salary.

    Average production inspector salary

    $16.03hourly

    $33,340 yearly

    Entry-level production inspector salary
    $26,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 19, 2025

    Average production inspector salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Nebraska$39,353$19
    2California$36,970$18
    3Indiana$35,203$17
    4Arizona$35,080$17
    5Minnesota$34,135$16
    6Pennsylvania$33,140$16
    7Missouri$32,712$16
    8South Carolina$27,397$13
    9Texas$25,207$12
    10Georgia$24,635$12
    11Alabama$24,224$12

    Average production inspector salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Rich Products$40,751$19.5917
    2Safran$36,794$17.6958
    3Benchmark Electronics$35,775$17.208
    4Techtronic Industries TTI$34,559$16.616
    5Fort Wayne Metals$33,651$16.18
    6Catalent Pharma Solutions$32,937$15.849
    7Parker Hannifin$32,703$15.7244
    8Volt Information Sciences$32,595$15.67
    9Tarkett North America Holding Inc$32,448$15.604
    10Saint-Gobain$32,341$15.5536
    11Remedy Intelligent Staffing$32,321$15.54
    12Randstad North America, Inc.$32,069$15.428
    13ManpowerGroup$31,813$15.29155
    14Aerotek$31,618$15.20471
    15Adecco$31,204$15.00919
    16Elwood Staffing$31,130$14.97
    17MBS Solutions$30,201$14.52
    18The Motion Agency$30,011$14.43
    19R.M. Schulte & Associates$29,130$14.00
  4. Writing a production inspector job description

    A job description for a production inspector 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 production inspector job description:

    Production inspector job description example

    We currently have an immediate opening for an experienced Product Inspector in our fast-paced Brooklyn Park Optical Lab. This is an excellent opportunity to join our team!
    Hours: Weekend Shift, Saturday 12PM-12AM, Sunday 12PM-8PM, Monday 12PM-10PM, Tuesday 12PM-10PM.

    This position is responsible for production/ finished product inspection and quality control for all surfaced and /or cut & edged ophthalmic lenses and finished eyewear product.

    Primary Responsibilities:

    + Use a Lensometer and interpret results and findings.

    + Interpret customers' prescription requirements and have total understanding of the production work ticket as produced via lab software/operating system.

    + Troubleshoot all facets of production problems to bring about acceptable production quality and service levels.

    + Perform other duties as assigned.

    Experience/Qualifications

    + High School diploma, GED or equivalent and work experience commensurate with position requirements

    + Three years of optical lab production experience

    + E xcellent skills in reading of a Lensometer and interpreting results and findings

    + Knowledge of ANSI standards applicable to eyewear required

    + Ability to multi-task

    + Must be highly detail-oriented

    + Demonstrated mechanical aptitude helpful

    + Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

    + Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision

    Benefits

    + Competitive Salary

    + Medical Insurance

    + Dental Insurance

    + Life Insurance

    + LTD

    + PTO

    + 401(k) with company match

    The Walman Optical Company is a successful and diversified business serving the ophthalmic community since 1915. We are a family of optical companies with a 100-year history of excellent relationships built on enduring trust and added value. Each of our businesses is guided by the same core principles and single vision: to be the most trusted business partner in the industry. Our core values respect our employees' worth and contributions, emphasize teamwork and offer opportunities for personal and professional growth.

    If you are interested in becoming part of the Walman Team please apply online today.

    The Walman Optical Company is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicants. EEO/Affirmative Action Employer/Protected Veteran Status. The company grants reasonable accommodations to qualified disabled individuals in accordance with applicable law.
  5. Post your job

    To find the right production inspector 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 production inspectors they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit production inspectors 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 production inspector job on Zippia to find and recruit production inspector candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting production 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.

    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 production inspector

    Once you've found the production inspector candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    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.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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 production inspector?

Hiring a production inspector comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting production inspectors involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of production inspector recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $33,340 per year for a production inspector, 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 production inspectors in the US typically range between $12 and $20 an hour.

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