How to hire a program trainer

How to hire a program trainer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step program trainer hiring guide:

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

What does a program trainer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your program trainer 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 program trainer 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

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

   Type of Program Trainer	Description	Hourly rate
   Program Trainer	Training and development specialists plan, conduct, and administer programs that train employees and improve their skills and knowledge.	$14-30
   Facilitator	A facilitator is responsible for assisting a group event or program, ensuring that the participants coordinate well. Facilitators also monitor that the objectives of the event are smoothly delivered and organized... Show more	$13-33
   Leadership Development Program	A leadership development program manager is a professional who is responsible for implementing and developing an employee leadership program for an organization. As part of the organization's talent management and development strategies, managers must provide coaching to all levels of executives and managerial staff... Show more	$21-55

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Work Ethic
   • PowerPoint
   • On-The-Job Training
   • Professional Development
   • Training Classes
   • Customer Service
   • Training Sessions
   • Management Training
   • Training Curriculum
   • Learning Techniques
   • Facilitation
   • Training Materials
   • Medicare
   • Blended Learning

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead project management, curriculum writing and pilot facilitation in collaboration with advisory team.
   • Serve insurance members with complete and accurate information regarding Medicare, Medicaid and insurance coverage benefits.
   • Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of restaurant including all tables, floors, windows, and beverage station, restroom, etc
   • Deliver train-the-trainer curriculum to SME appoint trainers.
   • Develop eLearning modules that simulate mainframe system.
   • Assist Medicare beneficiaries with eligibility questions, coverage and claim issues.

   More program trainer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your program trainer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A program trainer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a program trainer in Alaska may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level program trainer usually earns less than a senior-level program trainer. Additionally, a program trainer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average program trainer salary

   $43,846yearly

   $21.08 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level program trainer salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average program trainer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Texas	$52,377	$25
   2	California	$49,351	$24
   3	New York	$48,707	$23
   4	Washington	$47,748	$23
   5	Virginia	$47,558	$23
   6	Massachusetts	$44,436	$21
   7	Florida	$44,187	$21
   8	Mississippi	$42,046	$20
   9	Colorado	$42,028	$20
   10	Georgia	$41,245	$20
   11	Missouri	$40,870	$20
   12	Nevada	$40,385	$19
   13	Michigan	$39,600	$19
   14	North Carolina	$39,379	$19
   15	Oregon	$39,117	$19
   16	Arizona	$39,039	$19
   17	Ohio	$38,842	$19
   18	Maine	$38,216	$18
   19	Alabama	$37,503	$18
   20	Wisconsin	$36,567	$18

   Average program trainer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Boston Public Schools	$69,785	$33.55
   2	Broadridge	$63,761	$30.65	4
   3	Washington County	$56,424	$27.13	3
   4	HealthTrust	$49,834	$23.96
   5	Reynolds American	$49,629	$23.86
   6	St. Elizabeth School	$49,550	$23.82
   7	Greenway Ford	$49,369	$23.74
   8	Korn Ferry	$47,894	$23.03	1
   9	CMC Motocross	$47,572	$22.87	7
   10	Sonoco	$47,136	$22.66	3
   11	Southwest Key Programs	$46,973	$22.58
   12	Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego	$46,941	$22.57
   13	Ferguson Enterprises	$46,651	$22.43	1
   14	Gerber NCS	$45,254	$21.76
   15	Safari	$44,705	$21.49
   16	VitalChek	$44,613	$21.45	2
   17	Green Bay Packaging	$44,111	$21.21
   18	PacificSource Health Plans	$43,633	$20.98	4
   19	Brayman Construction	$43,482	$20.90	1
   20	Trane	$43,288	$20.81	13

4. Writing a program trainer job description

   A job description for a program trainer 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 program trainer job description:

   Program trainer job description example

   Production opportunities at Quad instill a sense of empowerment and possibility distinct from those at other employers. Quad's state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities include world-class automation and printing technology. This includes guided vehicles (driverless fork trucks) and world-class digital presses that give our clients a full range of options to produce personalized marketing products. Fueled by innovative, interesting days, you'll find hard work is good work, and feel a deep sense of pride in a job well done - something shared by everyone in the community we call Quad.
   
   The Accelerated Career Training (ACT) program is designed to train candidates with prior experience as machine operators in a manufacturing environment or with mechanical background in another field in the skills necessary to advance to open Operator positions. Starting wage is $16.00 - $18.00 / hour depending on experience and mechanical abilities.
   
   We value and reward manufacturing experience by providing a competitive wage. Individuals with print experience can have a starting wage up to $27 / hour. As your career progresses, there are multiple upward paths available, as we are continuously looking for our next group of leaders to excel within the organization.
   
   One of Quad's mega plants is located in The Rock, GA. At over 795 thousand square feet in size, the Rock is CLIMATE CONTROLLED and home to cutting edge equipment and technology. Our employees and their families have access to an onsite medical clinic, fitness center, as well as many recreational outdoor activities like basketball, sand volleyball and horseshoes which are free for employees and their families to enjoy. We offer competitive pay, health, dental, pharmacy and life insurance, 401k, vacation, and other great benefits. For full-time employees, we offer a compressed work schedule where you work half the year!
   
   Our compressed work schedule is geared toward balancing work and family life. You will work 3 to 4, 12 hour days a week with opportunities for overtime (OT paid after 40 hours per week). These shifts rotate throughout the year (either 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. - 7 a.m.) including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
   
   You will learn the basics from the ground level and then progress to more advanced tasks by condensing training into one year with wage increases as you progress in the program.
   
   The ACT program offers you hands-on technical training designed with feedback from current Operators and combines it with classroom instruction on Safety and Continuous Improvement, as well as training on Quad culture and values, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills. Cross-training is an important program component, giving employees an understanding of other parts of the business.
   Training will include but not limited to:
   
   + Learning the printing process from the ground level, including remove product from the end of the machine, work with loose and/or completed product by stacking onto pallets, transferring to tables & placing into a collator hopper or into mail bags.
   
   + Assist other crew members with various duties including webbing up of the press and/or special handwork in order to meet customer requests.
   
   + Setting up, adjusting and operating state of the art printing equipment.
   
   + Machine Maintenance and troubleshooting.
   
   + Safety - Quad's goal is to ensure all employees return home safe at the end of their shifts - you will learn the importance of safety-a key part of our company's culture.
   
   + Working with Quad specific computer programs to make your job easier and more efficient.
   
   + Directing a crew through all aspects of production.
   
   + Monitoring productivity and quality.
   
   Qualifications:
   
   + Two (2) years of prior experience as a machine operator in a manufacturing environment or demonstrated work history with a mechanical background.
   
   + Ability to read and follow job specifications to determine what is needed to run a job successfully.
   
   + Observe and monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are needed to run product for the highest quality in the safest manner
   
   + Skill in performing basic maintenance and troubleshooting using hand tools (i.e. wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.) as well as more specialized hand tools, usually furnished by the machine manufacturer.
   
   + Must have ability to utilize computer to ensure quality of product
   
   + Familiarity with basic mathematics to understand requirements contained in job orders.
   
   + Ability to lift 10-15 pounds continuously, the ability to lift up to 70 pounds occasionally, stand long hours (12-hour shift), use hands and wrists continuously in controlled movement, receive and follow instructions and use vision in order to identify defects
   
   + The ability to work a 12 hour rotating shift (either 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. or 7 p.m.-7 a.m.) including days, nights, weekends and holidays
   
   The requirements listed above 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.
   
   Additional Company Information
   
   We offer excellent benefits to eligible employees, including 401(k), holidays, vacations and more.
   
   Quad is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to creating a place of belonging - a space where employees do not need to sacrifice who they are to exist and grow in our workplace. Quad does not discriminate on any unlawful basis including race, religion, color, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Quad also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.
   
   Drug Free Workplace

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with program trainer 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.

   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 program trainer

   Once you've found the program trainer 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 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.

   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 program trainer?