How to hire a shop supervisor

How to hire a shop supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step shop supervisor hiring guide:

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

What does a shop supervisor do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a shop supervisor, 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 shop supervisor 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 shop supervisor that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of shop supervisors.

   Type of Shop Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Shop Supervisor		$14-40
   Shop Lead	A shop lead is responsible for overseeing their crew. They ensure the safety of their crew by giving regular training... Show more	$13-38
   Quality Assurance Supervisor	A quality assurance supervisor oversees and leads the quality control operations within a manufacturing plant or similar establishment. They are primarily responsible for crafting and implementing policies that prioritize the efficiency of products or services, supervising and evaluating the performances of the workforce, and setting standards and procedures that align not just with the goals of the company, but the national and international level of production standards... Show more	$22-45

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Safety Procedures
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Parts Inventory
   • OSHA
   • Equipment Maintenance
   • CNC
   • Inventory Control
   • Maintenance Shop
   • Repair Orders
   • Safety Standards
   • Shop Operations
   • Quality Standards
   • POS

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and supervise CNC operators.
   • Supervise and work in a fabrication shop, fabricate conveyors, MIG and TIG welding, and operate end mill.
   • Procure aerospace alloys and materials as well as all consumables.
   • Design medical, kitchen, and woodworking products using SolidWorks.
   • Follow instructions given by supervisor to ensure products are being meet to QA and USDA.
   • Start out as a welder (MIG, TIG) and move up to shop supervisor.

   More shop supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, shop supervisors' average salary in utah is 55% less than in delaware.
   • Seniority. Entry-level shop supervisors earn 64% less than senior-level shop supervisors.
   • Certifications. A shop supervisor 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 shop supervisor's salary.

   Average shop supervisor salary

   $50,689yearly

   $24.37 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level shop supervisor salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 1, 2026

   Average shop supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$69,012	$33
   2	Delaware	$68,957	$33
   3	Illinois	$63,743	$31
   4	Wisconsin	$62,603	$30
   5	Virginia	$62,178	$30
   6	Indiana	$61,929	$30
   7	Maryland	$60,220	$29
   8	Pennsylvania	$57,687	$28
   9	California	$54,942	$26
   10	Ohio	$52,612	$25
   11	Massachusetts	$52,295	$25
   12	Iowa	$52,027	$25
   13	Georgia	$51,549	$25
   14	Minnesota	$50,974	$25
   15	North Carolina	$50,885	$24
   16	Arizona	$48,642	$23
   17	Montana	$46,963	$23
   18	Colorado	$46,412	$22
   19	South Carolina	$45,854	$22
   20	Arkansas	$45,133	$22

   Average shop supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	TechnipFMC	$95,664	$45.99
   2	Tesla	$92,329	$44.39	24
   3	Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory	$84,484	$40.62
   4	Republic Services	$84,221	$40.49	234
   5	Halliburton	$82,516	$39.67
   6	Lucky Brand	$78,805	$37.89
   7	Gardner Denver	$75,228	$36.17	2
   8	ABB	$73,266	$35.22	7
   9	Harvard University	$71,980	$34.61
   10	Cook Children's Medical Center	$71,777	$34.51
   11	University of California	$70,389	$33.84	5
   12	Victoria's Secret	$68,144	$32.76
   13	Reeb	$68,027	$32.71	1
   14	Club	$67,669	$32.53	6
   15	Casella Waste Systems	$66,357	$31.90	2
   16	Precision Castparts	$65,644	$31.56	40
   17	Church & Dwight Co.	$64,763	$31.14
   18	Georgetown University	$63,336	$30.45	4
   19	Riley Construction	$62,352	$29.98
   20	Altec	$61,117	$29.38

4. Writing a shop supervisor job description

   A shop supervisor 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 shop supervisor job description:

   Shop supervisor job description example

   THE COMPANY: Since 1980, Stevens Transport has remained the primary choice of the Fortune 500 for delivery of perishable items and is the largest family-owned and operated climate-controlled freight company in Texas. Family is a top priority at Stevens and those values are integrated into everything we do, every day. Our award-winning service and reputation paired with state-of-the-art equipment has made us the pioneer of the industry.
   
   Stevens Transport Corporate offices as well as it's many departments and family of companies, reside on a massive 75-acre campus just East of Dallas. As a debt free, multimodal logistics conglomerate, Stevens Transport injects unmatched integrity into a corporate business model that reflects a track record of consistent growth and success. As “America's Trucking Family” and one of the nation's premier employers, we understand that our biggest “assets” are our people that support the continuous growth.
   
   If you are looking to continue with a rewarding career in Transportation & Logistics, come join the over 750 corporate family members with an exciting opportunity waiting for you!!
   
   THE ROLE: We are currently seeking a Trailer Shop Supervisor with experience in Trailer Mechanics and Thermo King units.
   Schedule: Monday through Friday 9:00pm-7:00am
   QUALIFICATIONS:3+ years of management and leadership experience in a similar environment (company size, personnel, etc.) required Intermediate computer skills (Excel, Microsoft Outlook etc.) Previous and/or current experience with Transportation Management ToolsAS/400 experience preferred Diagnostic software experience (required) Verbal and Written communication
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Supervising activities of shop employees and ensuring work is performed correctly Occasionally performing mechanical work Maintaining a safe and orderly shop environment Overseeing internally generated repair orders Coordinating with other shops regarding repairs, request, etc.Communicating with management on daily shop status regarding repairs Other duties as assigned
   REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Thermo King experience Trailer, Brake, Electrical experience Working knowledge of telematics systems and diagnostic software. Basic computer skills required Valid Class C driver's license Must be able to pass a drug test and non-DOT physical
   If you lead by example, mentor, and encourage your employees and are looking for a great culture come start a career with a industry leading organization, come make Stevens Transport's Paragon Leasing your new home.
   
   Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental, and Life Insurances available + 401(k) retirement plan and quarterly match.
   
   #LI-EH1 #ZR

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting shop supervisors 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.

   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 shop supervisor

   Once you've selected the best shop supervisor 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new shop supervisor. 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 shop supervisor?