How to hire a ship erector

How to hire a ship erector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step ship erector hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a ship erector, 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a ship erector to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a ship erector that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of ship erectors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Ship Erector	Description	Hourly rate
   Ship Erector	Carpenters construct and repair building frameworks and structures—such as stairways, doorframes, partitions, rafters, and bridge supports—made from wood and other materials. They also may install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.	$12-34
   Journeyman	A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman... Show more	$18-39
   Scaffold Builder	A scaffold builder assists construction workers by creating scaffold structures for them to reach points in a building and do their work, then later dismantle it when the job is done. They are fearless workers as they work on high rises and skyscrapers to build scaffolds for the building and construction crew to stand on while working... Show more	$12-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Scaffolding
   • OSHA
   • Safety Rules
   • Construction Sites
   • Blueprint Specifications
   • Fall Protection
   • Hoisting
   • Safety Procedures
   • MIG
   • Torches
   • Safety Standards
   • Safety Regulations
   • SMAW
   • JSA

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Perform duties as a structural welder using SMAW, and FCAW.
   • Work with crew members to force steel parts into final position with turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, etc.
   • Install various aluminum structures and foundations.
   • Identify and request any and all PPE necessary to performtasks.calculate accurate material estimates.
   • Operate lull and crane lifts.
   • Install various aluminum structures and foundations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your ship erector job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A ship erector salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, ship erectors' average salary in idaho is 55% less than in delaware.
   • Seniority. Entry-level ship erectors earn 64% less than senior-level ship erectors.
   • Certifications. A ship erector 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 ship erector's salary.

   Average ship erector salary

   $43,889yearly

   $21.10 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level ship erector salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a ship erector job description

   A ship erector 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 ship erector job description:

   Ship erector job description example

   + Actively participate in BrandSafway's Employee Intervention System (EIS).
   
   + Determine the materials needed for basic scaffolds
   
   + During scaffold dismantling, from the ground, receive materials and place into a rack for transport back to the scaffold yard
   
   + During scaffold erection, unload and stage materials as directed and pass material to a scaffold crew from the ground
   
   + Effectively communicate with crew members and supervision
   
   + Exercise Stop Work Authority when an unsafe conditions are witnessed.
   
   + Inspect scaffold components for damage and/or defects
   
   + Maintain a clean and organized jobsite free from any unnecessary hazards associated with the work being performed by a scaffold crew
   
   + Organize and maintain a scaffold yard, including the unloading of racks after the dismantling of a scaffold, and prepare scaffold components for utilization as needed
   
   + Participate in the Job Safety Planning (JSP) process
   
   + Perform all assigned duties on a jobsite, as directed by supervision
   
   + Provide support to a scaffold crew in the erecting and dismantling of a scaffold
   
   + Utilize scaffold tools while erecting or dismantling a scaffold as part of a crew
   
   + While utilizing scaffold tools, participate in the erecting and dismantling of a **scaffold which includes, but is not limited to the setting up, leveling and squaring of a scaffold base, attaching bracing, horizontals, ladders, toe boards, swing gates, etc.
   
   Supervisor Responsibilities
   
   + None
   
   Qualification Requirements
   
   + At least one years of scaffold experience is preferred
   
   + Basic oral communication skills are required
   
   + High School Diploma, General Education Degree (GED), or equivalent
   
   + Requires the ability to do basic math
   
   Physical Demands
   
   + While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk and/or hear, and/or use hands and fingers to handle or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand, and/or walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move and/or pull up to 50 pounds (up to 100 pounds with assistance) of scaffolding equipment, which may include lifting 50 pounds (up to 100 pounds with assistance) of scaffolding above shoulders (6-7 feet) to erect and dismantle scaffolding and to load onto trucks or racks. The employee must also be capable of continuously carrying/wearing harness and work belt weighing 25-50 pounds while erecting and dismantling scaffolding. Must also be capable of climbing onto trailers or trucks and onto racks to secure and move equipment as well as climbing ladders to access scaffolding up to high, precarious places. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
   
   Work Environment
   
   The employee must be available at non-traditional hours to complete projects according to contract or job requirements.
   
   The employee regularly works in high, precarious places, is potentially exposed to fumes, airborne particles, dust, non-weather heat, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is also regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions and may work in varying degrees of confined space. The noise level is usually moderate, but may be loud at certain times while working at construction job sites. There may be work related travel.
   
   BrandSafway is an equal opportunity employer and considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. BrandSafway is also an E-Verify participant.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right ship erector 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 ship erectors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit ship erectors 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 ship erector job on Zippia to find and attract quality ship erector candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit ship erectors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 ship erector

   Once you have selected a candidate for the ship erector position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new ship erector. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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