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How to hire a runner

Runner hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring runners in the United States:

  • There are currently 6,726 runners in the US, as well as 15,501 job openings.
  • Runners are in the highest demand in Phoenix, AZ, with 95 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a runner 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 runner to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a runner, step by step

To hire a runner, 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 runner:

Here's a step-by-step runner hiring guide:

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

What does a runner do?

A runner is considered as a general assistant who works under the direction of a producer and other production staff to do basic works such as answering the phone or making arrangements for staff on locations in the broadcasting and film industry. The role of a runner is to ensure that the production process is running smoothly. A runner should possess a lot of skills, such as excellent time management and teamwork. A bachelor or postgraduate degree is not required for being a runner.

Learn more about the specifics of what a runner does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your runner 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 runner 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?

    Hiring the perfect runner 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 presents runner salaries for various positions.

    Type of RunnerDescriptionHourly rate
    RunnerGaming services workers serve customers in gambling establishments, such as casinos or racetracks. Some workers tend slot machines, deal cards, or oversee other gaming activities such as keno or bingo... Show more$12-19
    Food Runner/BusserA food runner or busser is an employee who works at a restaurant to provide quality food services to customers and patrons. Food runners or bussers perform food preparation and ensure that foods are delivered promptly to the appropriate customers' tables... Show more$10-17
    Parts RunnerParts runners are essential to the function of the parts department. They are responsible for either delivering the part of the automotive to customers or picking up the parts for a shop job... Show more$12-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Food Service
    • Basic Math
    • Math
    • Customer Service
    • Cleanliness
    • Cash Handling
    • Wine
    • Cash Control
    • Alcoholic Beverages
    • Groceries
    • Guest Rooms
    • Safety Standards
    • RUN Food
    • Food Orders
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage tickets for kitchen, run food and intereact with customers, and bus tables
    • Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
    • Operate within compliance of USDA and QA program standards
    • Clean tables & floor area also set silver ware, plates, & wine glasses in correct fine dining table positions.
    • Line runner, PVC pipe bundler
    • Assist the HVAC technician with installations.
    More runner duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your runner job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A runner 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 runner in Mississippi may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level runner usually earns less than a senior-level runner. Additionally, a runner 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 runner salary

    $16.02hourly

    $33,320 yearly

    Entry-level runner salary
    $26,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 1, 2026

    Average runner salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Hawaii$42,630$21
    2Oregon$39,815$19
    3California$38,980$19
    4Minnesota$38,789$19
    5Colorado$37,762$18
    6Nevada$37,553$18
    7Illinois$37,450$18
    8Michigan$37,338$18
    9Maine$36,803$18
    10Massachusetts$36,785$18
    11Kansas$36,218$17
    12Missouri$36,197$17
    13Arizona$36,191$17
    14New York$35,969$17
    15Indiana$35,879$17
    16Pennsylvania$35,789$17
    17Ohio$35,684$17
    18Virginia$34,238$16
    19Texas$32,422$16
    20North Carolina$31,897$15

    Average runner salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Virginia Eye Institute$44,953$21.61
    2PCC Community Markets$41,807$20.10
    3Four Seasons$40,461$19.457
    4Anthony$39,865$19.172
    5Texas$39,659$19.07
    6Kirby$39,075$18.79
    7Lawrence General Hospital$38,856$18.68
    8Blue Apron$38,639$18.58
    9Maggiano's Little Italy$38,455$18.4947
    10Sam$38,436$18.48
    11Horizon Solar Power$38,378$18.45
    12The Walt Disney Company$38,281$18.40
    13Mission Regional Medical Center$37,995$18.27
    14ShopRite Supermarkets Inc.$37,960$18.25
    15Del Frisco's Restaurant Group$37,960$18.25
    16Meridian Bank$37,868$18.21
    17Universal Engineering Sciences$37,357$17.96
    18Sunpro Solar$37,098$17.84
    19Acadian Ambulance$37,021$17.802
    20Bertucci's$36,919$17.752
  4. Writing a runner job description

    A runner 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 runner job description:

    Runner job description example

    Our Material Runner makes a competitive wage including overtime pay after 40 hours/week! We also provide excellent benefits which include medical plans to choose from (one option offers a $0 weekly cost to the employee), dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, a 401(k) plan with company match beginning on day one, paid time off (PTO) and holiday pay, as well as company-provided fully-stocked trucks.

    Are you interested in learning either HVAC or Plumbing? Do you have a clean driving record? This is an entry level position that will trade you the basics of the trade and can be used as a career path into becoming a tradesman. Apply today - you'll thank yourself later!


    ABOUT J.F. SOBIESKI MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, INC.

    J.F. Sobieski Mechanical Contractors, Inc. is an $90-million mechanical contracting company that serves Delaware, South Eastern PA, Richmond-Williamsburg, Virginia, and Maryland markets. We are the largest mechanical contractor in the tri-state area (DE, PA, MD) expanding into the Richmond, VA area. We do residential and commercial installations of HVAC, plumbing, sheet metal, and fire protection. We believe in three core values that have made our company successful: integrity in every decision we make, treating all team members like family, and courage to always make the right decisions. By putting an emphasis on these core values, we have been able to create strong, lasting relationships with our customers.

    We acknowledge and value the talents and hard work of our team . Due to their dedication, we proudly offer great pay and benefits . We work as a team with the combined goal to grow as a company into experienced professionals. Which is why we offer unlimited earning potential , exceptional training , and career advancement opportunities .

    As a home services industry leader, we know the value of education and career growth . We are a proud state-sponsored apprentice employer . With our in-house training center inclusive of all the latest equipment as well as a full-time trainer on staff, we are able to provide our service technicians with a defined career path based on education and on-the-job (OTJ) training . With us, a journeyman degree is a mere four years away - with minimal out-of-pocket cost!

    Q UALIFICATIONS

    · Clean MVR ( Motor Vehicle Report )

    · Able to pass a background /drug test

    · Able to pass a fitness test; able to handle the physical demands of the job

    · Desire to learn either HVAC or Plumbing trade

    READY TO BE A VALUABLE MEMBER OF OUR TEAM?

    If you can get the job done right as our Plumbing Service Tech / Residential Plumber, put down the tools and complete our initial mobile-friendly application today. We look forward to meeting you!


  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find runners for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your runner job on Zippia to find and recruit runner candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with runner 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 runner

    Once you've selected the best runner 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 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.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a runner?

There are different types of costs for hiring runners. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new runner employee.

Runners earn a median yearly salary is $33,320 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find runners for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $12 and $19.

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