How to hire a supervisor

How to hire a supervisor, step by step

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

What does a supervisor do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your supervisor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a supervisor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, supervisors 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 supervisor salaries for various positions.

   Type of Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Supervisor	A supervisor is the job title of a low level management position that is primarily based on authority over a worker or workplace. The term supervisor itself can be used to refer to any personnel who have this task as part of their job description.	$14-44
   Field Operations Supervisor	Field operations supervisors are professionals who supervise staff members to ensure that an organization is running smoothly and effectively to produce increased sales and profits. These supervisors are required to develop operational policies and procedures to increase business growth while implementing best practices to improve operational efficiency... Show more	$21-34
   Shift Production Supervisor	A shift production supervisor is in charge of overseeing business operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to reach production standards and production targets, supervising and assessing staff performance, delegating tasks, managing schedules, and prioritizing customer satisfaction... Show more	$10-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Safety Procedures
   • Sales Floor
   • POS
   • Direct Supervision
   • Payroll
   • Store Operations
   • CPR
   • HR
   • Excellent Guest
   • Windows
   • Quality Standards
   • Patient Care
   • Corrective Action

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead continuous process improvement and six sigma teams to meet ISO 9001 and QS 9000 standards.
   • Manage and implement merchandising strategy for POS marketing and display inventory.
   • Lead comprehensive training for each new volunteer or court-mandate worker regarding OSHA regulations and warehouse procedure.
   • Organize care with 6 CNAs.
   • Coordinate lifeguard duty schedule for all pools.
   • Maintain cleanliness throughout kitchen, coolers, and freezer areas.

   More supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, supervisors' average salary in arkansas is 49% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level supervisors 66% less than senior-level supervisors.
   • Certifications. A supervisor 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 supervisor's salary.

   Average supervisor salary

   $53,902yearly

   $25.91 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level supervisor salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 21, 2025

   Average supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$67,130	$32
   2	District of Columbia	$64,714	$31
   3	Nevada	$64,410	$31
   4	Washington	$62,559	$30
   5	California	$61,161	$29
   6	Oregon	$60,811	$29
   7	Maryland	$59,555	$29
   8	Virginia	$57,720	$28
   9	Texas	$55,823	$27
   10	Massachusetts	$55,573	$27
   11	Minnesota	$55,341	$27
   12	New Mexico	$52,873	$25
   13	Mississippi	$52,616	$25
   14	Georgia	$52,032	$25
   15	Wisconsin	$51,617	$25
   16	Arizona	$51,511	$25
   17	Illinois	$51,428	$25
   18	Pennsylvania	$51,402	$25
   19	Indiana	$50,615	$24
   20	Colorado	$50,261	$24

   Average supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Reed Smith	$169,267	$81.38
   2	PNY Technologies	$134,082	$64.46
   3	Levi Strauss & Co.	$132,780	$63.84	121
   4	eBay	$127,743	$61.41
   5	Cheniere Energy	$126,294	$60.72	1
   6	Pandora	$123,325	$59.29
   7	Citi	$122,973	$59.12	5
   8	ConocoPhillips	$122,307	$58.80	1
   9	FormFactor	$121,651	$58.49
   10	Texas Instruments	$121,601	$58.46	6
   11	RSM US	$120,919	$58.13	266
   12	Airbnb	$120,551	$57.96	1
   13	Colonial Pipeline	$118,141	$56.80	3
   14	AbbVie	$116,912	$56.21	45
   15	Intuitive Surgical	$116,865	$56.19	4
   16	Bristol-Myers Squibb	$116,863	$56.18	6
   17	Koch Industries	$115,421	$55.49	6
   18	BD	$114,282	$54.94	12
   19	WEC Energy Group	$114,064	$54.84	2
   20	Generac Holdings	$112,899	$54.28	10

4. Writing a supervisor job description

   A 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 supervisor job description:

   Supervisor job description example

   Work where you love to shop! Dollar Tree is hiring in your neighborhood. Avoid long commutes and set your own course to success by applying today.
   
   We offer generous benefits, flexible work schedules and the ability to work today and get paid tomorrow.
   Store Managers at Dollar Tree are responsible for the following: Managing the profitable operation of a retail store with emphasis on recruiting, hiring, training and developing store associates in both operations and merchandising Performing all opening and closing procedures Implementing all operational and merchandising direction that is communicated from the Store Support Center Maintaining a high standard of merchandising, placement, store signage, and proper display techniques to create an inviting atmosphere for customers Assisting in the realization of your store's maximum profit contribution Protecting all company assets Maintaining a high level of good customer service Creative problem solving in the areas of: Associate Development Maximizing Sales Potential Controlling Expense and Shrink Merchandise Display Store Signage Placement
   
   What we need from you: Must possess minimum 3 years prior retail management experience Background in dealing with hardlines or variety merchandise, BIG BOX experience a plus Strong productivity management ability in freight processing Strong communication, interpersonal and written skills Ability to work in a high-energy team environment
   Our teams are working tirelessly to provide a clean and safe environment for our Associates and customers. We continue to enhance and modify our protocols, as appropriate. This includes:
   
   •Plexiglass guards at cash registers
   •Associates conduct home health screenings two hour prior to their shift
   •Managers conduct in-store health screenings of each associate prior to shift
   •Cleaning protocols that include hand sanitizer and supplies to clean throughout the day
   •Social Distancing by maintaining at least six feet between yourself and shoppers
   •Face masks and gloves for Associates to wear during their shifts
   
   Dollar Tree proudly offers our full-time store management Associates with an opportunity to earn a bonus each month if key performance goals are achieved.
   
   We value our Associates' contributions to our success, which drives us to invest in the most important element of our organization: our people.
   As we work towards a healthier future, we provide eligible associates with the following:
   Health and welfare programs including medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision
   Employee Assistance Program
   Paid Time Off
   Retirement Plans
   Employee Stock Purchase Program
   
   NOTE: There are differences in job duties for our store types that may vary from this job posting. Review our job descriptions posted on our Career Center.
   
   Dollar Tree is an equal opportunity employer.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right supervisor 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 supervisors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit supervisors 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 supervisor job on Zippia to find and recruit supervisor 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 supervisors, 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.

   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 supervisor

   Once you have selected a candidate for the supervisor 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new supervisor. 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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How much does it cost to hire a supervisor?