How to hire a scale operator

How to hire a scale operator, step by step

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

What does a scale operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a scale operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

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

   The following list breaks down different types of scale operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Scale Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Scale Operator	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$11-20
   Scale Clerk	A scale clerk is a broad job and entails a wide range of duties from weighing, measuring, record keeping, supplies, and material checking. They must have the skill set to interact with customers, vendors, and suppliers, as well as having a keen eye for details... Show more	$12-20
   Forklift Operator	Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Basic Math
   • Math
   • Scale Tickets
   • Outbound Trucks
   • Asphalt
   • Weight Tickets
   • Computer System
   • Strong Customer Service
   • Truck Scale
   • COD
   • CB
   • PPE
   • Outbound Loads

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
   • Enter payroll accurately and run weekly reports timely.
   • Check loads (trucks) for size of product, correct PPE.
   • Detail orient with good math skills.
   • Write citations for different NC state laws.
   • Scale operator, loading a weighting asphalt trucks.

   More scale operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   $15.62hourly

   $32,498 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level scale operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average scale operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Ohio	$35,592	$17
   2	Washington	$35,549	$17
   3	Wisconsin	$35,540	$17
   4	Iowa	$35,407	$17
   5	Nevada	$34,247	$16
   6	Virginia	$33,291	$16
   7	Colorado	$32,129	$15
   8	Kansas	$31,988	$15
   9	Missouri	$31,512	$15
   10	North Carolina	$31,093	$15
   11	Texas	$30,586	$15
   12	Georgia	$28,809	$14
   13	South Carolina	$28,239	$14
   14	Florida	$27,849	$13

   Average scale operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Steel Dynamics	$43,273	$20.80	7
   2	BlueScope Steel	$42,693	$20.53	2
   3	Schnitzer Steel	$41,839	$20.11
   4	Harsco	$40,490	$19.47
   5	MDU Resources	$38,625	$18.57	6
   6	Nucor	$38,258	$18.39	24
   7	American Iron and Steel Institute	$37,993	$18.27	1
   8	Prince William County	$37,114	$17.84
   9	Lehigh Hanson	$36,766	$17.68
   10	Cargill	$36,618	$17.60	24
   11	Green Plains	$35,733	$17.18
   12	ADM	$34,930	$16.79	21
   13	Waste Connections	$34,897	$16.78	33
   14	Ukpeagvik IOoOupiat Corporation	$34,469	$16.57
   15	Oldcastle Infrastructure	$33,697	$16.20	142
   16	West Fraser	$33,663	$16.18	5
   17	Waste Pro	$33,546	$16.13	5
   18	The McConnell Group	$33,368	$16.04
   19	CMC Motocross	$33,365	$16.04	13
   20	Renovo plc	$33,239	$15.98

4. Writing a scale operator job description

   A scale 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a scale operator job description:

   Scale operator job description example

   The Security/Scale Operator, the face of the facility, is responsible for weighing mostly inbound materials at the facility, processing Bill of Ladings, ensuring that material is being unloaded within the landfill and correlates with the release number provided by the hauler and operators at the facility and provides security while facility is closed.
   
   + Follows all company standards procedures, policies and complies with permitted regulations to maintain a safe, secure, and healthy work environment.
   
   + Provides excellent customer service and communicates effectively with drivers, staff, and customers.
   + Maintains accurate scale operations and records to ensure factual reporting.
   
   + Communicates effectively with drivers, customers, and staff to provide efficient service.
   
   + Assists customers by providing excellent customer service to ensure valued and strong customer relations.
   
   + Coordinates the loading and unloading of all materials coming into the facility, machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads and machinery within a busy environment.
   
   + Interfaces with company drivers, outside haulers, and 3rd party vehicles to oversee accurate and appropriate job functions.
   
   + Participates in training and other learning opportunities to expand knowledge of the company, products, sales, and services and performs any other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and/or abide by our core values.
   
   The successful candidate will have 1-3 years of related industrial experience, a demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in a collaborative environment, the ability to work flexible hours and weekends as needed, and be legally eligible to work in the US. Experience or interest in an environmental and/or sustainability field and a high school diploma is preferred.
   
   Outstanding relationship management skills, excellent listening, communication, and problem-solving skills are needed. Excellent organizational skills and a positive and professional mind-set are expected.
   
   Self-sufficient, team-oriented individual with a strong work ethic, attentive, and results-oriented and is open to personal and professional training and development.
   
   
   External Company Name: Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
   
   External Company URL: casella.com
   
   Street: 2828 Bennoch Road

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit scale operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 scale operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect scale operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new scale operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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 scale operator?