How to hire a spray operator

How to hire a spray operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The spray operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

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

   This list presents spray operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Spray Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Spray Operator	Painting and coating workers paint and coat, often with machines, a wide range of products, including cars, jewelry, and ceramics.	$12-23
   Lens Coating Technician	A Lens Coating Technician is responsible for ensuring that every glasses, contact lenses and other eye care polish and clean before giving it to the customer. They assemble the frames and put on the correct and necessary lens and the grinders, lens mounters, and centered-edger... Show more	$12-20
   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

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Calipers
   • Grit
   • Machine Operation
   • CDL
   • Hand Tools
   • CNC
   • Coats
   • Hvof
   • Top Coat
   • FANUC
   • Troubleshoot
   • Quality Checks
   • Assembly Line
   • Powder Coat

   Responsibilities:

   • Spray paint special make glass products including drink glasses and candles both free-hand and using CNC guide paint arm.
   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your spray operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A spray operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, spray operators' average salary in south carolina is 27% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level spray operators 46% less than senior-level spray operators.
   • Certifications. A spray operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a spray operator's salary.

   Average spray operator salary

   $35,641yearly

   $17.14 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level spray operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

4. Writing a spray operator job description

   A spray 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 spray operator job description:

   Spray operator job description example

   **Title:** Operator, Thermal Spray
   
   **Location:** United States-Florida-Miami
   
   
   SUMMARY
   Machine Operator (Thermal Spray/HVOF) to perform the full range of thermal spray operations while insuring quality of work performed meets customer expectations.
   
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   Receive work instructions for the job and ensure that the parts have been properly masked; in some cases, masking, blasting or blending may be required
   Pull and maintain tooling and materials required for thermal spray application
   Perform the setup of equipment, tooling and materials for each project with minimal supervision
   Set the parameters and pressures to operate the thermal spray equipment; enter basic instructions to the robotic equipment and performs limited applications
   Apply plasma thermal spray coating to the full range of jobs and aircraft parts
   Apply HVOF spray coating to the full range of jobs and aircraft parts
   Complete work instruction sheet to record the work performed
   Assist with other duties as directed by the department supervisor
   Maintain good housekeeping standards throughout department and work facility
   Personally, observe safety and security procedures and proper use of equipment and material
   Actively promote safety process and report any safety issues to proper channels for action
   
   CORE COMPETENCIES
   
   Dependability: personally responsible, completes work in a timely manner, and performs tasks accurately
   Computer skills: high level of computer literacy is required
   Creativity: makes constructive suggestions and creates novel solutions to problems; evaluates new technology as potential solutions to existing problems
   Communication: excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills
   Initiative: plans work and carries out tasks without detailed instructions, prepares for problems or opportunities in advance, undertakes additional responsibilities
   Teamwork: works harmoniously with others to get a job done, responds positively to instructions/procedures, and works well with others.
   
   Qualifications:
   
   QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required. Must have a minimum of 3 year related experience and/or training. Aerospace experience preferred (FAA, ISO, Nadcap understanding) Experience with ABB robotics programming Experience with Praxair consoles preferred Experience using Micrometers, Calipers and other measuring devices Language/Communication skills: read, interpret and write documents in English PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Maneuvers in, around, under, and about factory and/or laboratory equipment on a regular and continuous basis Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and comply with OSHA standards Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach and move about the facility. The environmental characteristic for this position is a manufacturing setting and is occasionally exposed to heat, cold, and wet. Candidates should be able to adapt to a traditional manufacturing environment. While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. Use of job specific protective PPE is mandatory. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate.
   
   We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting spray operators 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.

   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 spray operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the spray operator 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.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new spray operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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