How to hire a sorting machine operator

How to hire a sorting machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a sorting machine 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 sorting machine operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, sorting machine 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 sorting machine operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Sorting Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Sorting Machine Operator	Postal service workers sell postal products and collect, sort, and deliver mail.	$11-17
   Mail Processing	A mail processor is responsible for sorting mail and documents to ensure accurate delivery and distribution across the recipients. Mail processors manage route orders, send delivery information to the receivers, and update completed distributions on the database... Show more	$14-23
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Guidelines
   • RAN
   • Assembly Line
   • Mail Handling
   • Quality Checks
   • Hand Sort
   • Sortation
   • Troubleshoot
   • Quality Standards
   • CNC
   • Customer Specifications
   • USPS
   • Accuracy Rate

   Responsibilities:

   • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
   • Create designs on computer to run on embroidery machines--run 4 head and single head embroidery jobs daily.
   • Start with a 2-head embroidery machine.
   • Operate drill press, CNC lathes, tapping and automatic machines.
   • Create embroidery on everything from hats to race suits to baseball bags.
   • Lift and unload containers of mail and parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the sorting machine operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A sorting machine operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a sorting machine operator in Kentucky may be lower than in Vermont, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level sorting machine operator. Additionally, a sorting machine operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average sorting machine operator salary

   $14.51hourly

   $30,183 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level sorting machine operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average sorting machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$31,846	$15
   2	Connecticut	$31,644	$15
   3	California	$31,301	$15
   4	Pennsylvania	$28,922	$14
   5	Colorado	$27,540	$13
   6	Illinois	$25,080	$12
   7	Tennessee	$24,410	$12
   8	Oklahoma	$23,935	$12
   9	Texas	$21,826	$10

   Average sorting machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	PepsiCo	$39,064	$18.78	7
   2	Broadridge	$35,166	$16.91	38
   3	SWD	$33,835	$16.27	6
   4	Stanley Black & Decker	$33,092	$15.91	13
   5	MacLean-Fogg	$31,749	$15.26	3
   6	Kelly Services	$30,203	$14.52	117
   7	ITW	$30,002	$14.42	68
   8	Rehrig Pacific	$29,216	$14.05	19
   9	Resource One Credit Union	$28,693	$13.79	3
   10	Randstad North America, Inc.	$28,493	$13.70	7
   11	48forty Solutions	$27,801	$13.37	17
   12	reLogistics Services, LLC	$27,791	$13.36
   13	Hearst	$24,961	$12.00	3

4. Writing a sorting machine operator job description

   A sorting machine 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. Below, you can find an example of a sorting machine operator job description:

   Sorting machine operator job description example

   Here at Rehrig Pacific, we are all about our people. Since 1913, our organization has focused on sustainable supply chain solutions while creating a culture and atmosphere where amazing people, like you, are celebrated for doing their best work. Rehrig Pacific has grown to meet the needs of our industry consumers across the country and internationally. We are constantly creating innovative solutions to transcend the new standards set forth by our customers. We find true fulfillment in helping others, both within the Rehrig Pacific family and in our communities. As servant leaders, we lead by example.
   
   •Conduct all activities and perform all job duties and functions following strict adherence to established, company implemented safety behaviors, processes, and procedures.
   •Operation of a large, industrial, pallet sorting machine.
   
   o Sort pallets accurately and efficiently, based on appropriate manufacturer, quality, and grade, as determined through visual and hands-on inspection process.
   
   o Some manual, hand-sorting of pallets will also be required.
   •May be required to operate a Forklift, in a safe and efficient manner (training and certification to be provided).
   
   o Load/unload trailers, moving pallets, freight, products, supplies, etc.
   •Perform sanitation, "Clean as You Go," and good housekeeping practices.
   •Ability to lift 70 lbs. consistently throughout duration of shift.
   •Ability to effectively perform a job requiring consistent, repetitive motion, bending, twisting, and lifting.
   •Production-based position; must be able to effectively meet minimum production and quality requirements.
   •Any other duties as assigned by site leadership.
   •Able to effectively work within a diverse team environment.
   
   Skills & Knowledge:
   •Prior experience with machine operation preferred, but not required.
   •Prior Forklift experience and certification preferred, but not required.
   •Experience in fast-paced, production based warehouse or manufacturing environment preferred.
   
   Job Requirements:
   •High School Diploma, GED, or comparable work related experience preferred.
   
   Rehrig Pacific Company is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. See also here.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit sorting machine operators, 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.

   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 sorting machine operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect sorting machine 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new sorting machine operator. 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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