How to hire a stage hand

How to hire a stage hand, step by step

Here's a step-by-step stage hand hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The stage hand 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a stage hand 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 stage hand that fits the bill.

   This list presents stage hand salaries for various positions.

   Type of Stage Hand	Description	Hourly rate
   Stage Hand	Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to and from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.	$12-23
   Dock Worker	People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships... Show more	$13-20
   Mover	Movers help people take or move things from one place to another through their physical strength. They work manually to help customers in their businesses or homes... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Venues
   • Audio Systems
   • Stage Equipment
   • Audio Equipment
   • Backline
   • Video
   • Safety Rules
   • Live Events
   • Stage Production
   • Load Trucks
   • Production Equipment
   • Sound Equipment
   • Video Equipment
   • Iatse

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain and manage multiple stages: FOH mix, monitor mix, and video presentation editing mix.
   • Operate powered lift trucks, floor sweepers, pallet jacks and forklifts safely.
   • Operate powered li trucks, floor sweepers, pallet jacks and forkli s safely.
   • Fill gas in boats and run errands for customers while they are on the boat.
   • Help carry and assist customers with canoes and kayaks.
   • Operate skiffs, pontoons and kayaks and prepare them for customer use.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, stage hands' average salary in louisiana is 41% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level stage hands 49% less than senior-level stage hands.
   • Certifications. A stage hand 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 stage hand's salary.

   Average stage hand salary

   $35,686yearly

   $17.16 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level stage hand salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 15, 2026

4. Writing a stage hand job description

   A stage hand 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 stage hand job description:

   Stage hand job description example

   Hard Rock Live, a concert theater and event production venue seeks additional stagehands to support concerts and live events in the venue. Our full scope of services includes comprehensive productions for live entertainment, touring acts, local bands, corporate events, awards shows, DJ parties, and various bookings within the venue. This position is based in Orlando, and is a part time freelance position. Nights, holidays, weekdays and weekends are required, and candidates should expect a variable schedule based on show based needs. Minimum availability will be required to maintain employment. Some client interaction may be required. A pleasant, outgoing personality, industry experience and knowledge of event logistics, staging, audio, video and lighting systems as well as professional protocol in a high-profile setting is required.
   
   Setup and teardown of professional audio, video, lighting, and staging equipment, with additional focus on general AV and IT support. This can include loading and unloading of equipment, carrying staging gear, pushing oversized road cases, flying or stacking speaker arrays, mounting video equipment, building stage sets, hanging soft goods, setting up instruments, assisting specific departmental functions in lighting, audio and video, and various needs to assist stage crew and personnel. Lifting and physical work are required.
   
   + Must possess a basic understanding of setting up staging, scenery, lights, sound, props, rigging, and special effects for a production.
   + Ability to use applicable tools safely and efficiently in sometimes high stress environments.
   
   + Must have a basic understanding of various electrical, audio, lighting and various cable terminations, applications, coiling and storage.
   
   + Ability to communicate clearly and consistently with management,
   
   supervisors and colleagues both verbally and in writing.
   
   + Interact with clients and staff in a positive and professional manner to achieve client's goals.
   
   + Work with event staff when needed to prep and pack gear for concerts and events.
   
   Ideal candidate will possess knowledge of audio, lighting, video, rigging and staging solutions within the event production industry. Ability to work with all aspects of high-end production and staging needs calmly, safely and efficiently, within sometimes high stress conditions to meet deadlines and client/producer/performer needs. Candidate must have a proven track record of successful shows and events in touring concert, corporate and entertainment worlds. While this position is a part of the Tech department with expertise in live staging productions, we also seek general AV and IT tech support within the Hard Rock Cafe meeting rooms and breakout locations. Candidate must also be able to successfully interact with clients on site, and maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Candidate must have a portfolio of previous events, with at least 3 years of professional stagehand experience in touring concerts and corporate AV crews, and have 3 positive references. Proper and safe setup, operation, and teardown of high-end audio, video, lighting, and staging equipment is required, as well as loading and unloading of semi-tractor trailers, bus trailers, box trucks and various other vehicles on site. This is not an entry level position, and those without the required experience will not be considered.
   
   DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS
   
   + Working knowledge of hand and power tools.
   
   + Working knowledge in rigging, lighting, sound and video in a theatrical setting or similar work setting.
   
   + Excellent customer service skills.
   
   + Have interpersonal skills to deal effectively with all business contacts.
   
   + Adheres to Hard Rock's high production standards and codes of ethical conduct.
   
   + Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently
   
   + Strong ability to collaborate and coordinate
   
   + Professional maturity, integrity, discipline and a positive attitude
   
   + Exceptional communication skills
   
   + Tenacity and ability to "think on your feet" in stressful situations
   
   + Ability to manage a wide variety of projects/demands at one time with quality execution and on time delivery.
   
   
   External Company Name: Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc.
   
   External Company URL: www.hardrock.com
   
   Street: 6050 UNIVERSAL BLVD

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right stage hand for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your stage hand job on Zippia to find and recruit stage hand 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 stage hands, 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 stage hand

   Once you've found the stage hand candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new stage hand 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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