How to hire a switcher

How to hire a switcher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step switcher hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the switcher you need to hire. Certain switcher roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect switcher also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of switchers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Switcher	Description	Hourly rate
   Switcher		$11-31
   Production Employee	In a manufacturing setting, a production employee is in charge of assembling and processing products, ensuring efficiency and timelines. Their responsibilities include adhering to guidelines and blueprints, monitoring the products for any defects or inconsistencies, operating machines and equipment, keeping an eye on the assembly line, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas... Show more	$12-20
   Production Line Operator	Production line operators must have strong reading skills and a knowledge base for loading and unloading, quality control, and starting and stopping of production lines. Those who choose this career will be expected to assist in assembling and manufacturing machines, foodstuffs, and products... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • DOT
   • Dock Doors
   • Switches
   • Yard Checks
   • Facer
   • Drop Trailers
   • Switch Trailers
   • Door Assignments
   • Dollies
   • Relocate

   Responsibilities:

   • Install locks on ATM as on the work order, certify to install over several different locks.
   • Transfer to work in extrusion area
   • Configure and install switches and hubs.
   • Attend various training in basic first aid, CPR, HazMat and MSHA regulations.
   • Record and document the work progress in ESD system, report in problems that may occur with line lead.
   • Confirm validity of contents through various BOL and shipping paper checks as well as physical confirmation.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your switcher job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A switcher salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a switcher in Georgia may be lower than in Maryland, and an entry-level switcher usually earns less than a senior-level switcher. Additionally, a switcher with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average switcher salary

   $39,145yearly

   $18.82 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level switcher salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average switcher salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maryland	$44,330	$21
   2	Connecticut	$44,065	$21
   3	New Jersey	$40,072	$19
   4	Pennsylvania	$40,025	$19
   5	Michigan	$34,514	$17
   6	Virginia	$33,579	$16
   7	Arizona	$33,399	$16
   8	North Carolina	$33,288	$16
   9	Indiana	$32,989	$16
   10	Tennessee	$30,793	$15
   11	Nevada	$30,761	$15
   12	Florida	$30,123	$14
   13	California	$30,035	$14
   14	Texas	$28,815	$14
   15	Arkansas	$23,421	$11

   Average switcher salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Fortune Brands Home & Security	$50,793	$24.42	1
   2	ProDrivers	$47,328	$22.75
   3	FedEx	$42,064	$20.22	40
   4	WestRock	$37,272	$17.92
   5	Capstone Logistics	$36,959	$17.77	2
   6	Ingles Markets	$36,841	$17.71	1
   7	The Coca-Cola Company	$35,640	$17.13	1
   8	Chewy	$35,552	$17.09
   9	Harris Teeter	$30,370	$14.60	1
   10	Old Dominion Freight Line	$28,271	$13.59	3

4. Writing a switcher job description

   A switcher 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 switcher job description:

   Switcher job description example

   • Cycle counting
   • Meeting USDA, HACCP, GMFP, and Company standards
   • Generation of required inbound and outbound documentation.
   • Thorough understanding of Export documentation/process requirements.
   • Unloading pallet trailers, Sort, and load pallets to be repaired and or washed. Load from freezer to cooler for customer orders.
   • Load and unload product to and from offsite storage facilities. Fill out pallet exchange forms.
   • Pick up fresh combos from the production drop-off for shipment or placement into the pre-stage cooler.
   • Daily Inspection log performed. Include but are limited to the following: lights, mirrors, windshields inc/wipers, tires (visual condition), brakes (feel of the pedal), fluid leaks, hydraulic 5th-wheel function, 5th-wheel pin-lock function, brake air-cable attachments
   • Other duties as assigned.

   Qualifications:

   • Must be a High School Graduate.
   • Must be detail oriented and work in a fast-paced environment.
   • Must pass a basic math test.
   • Must pass a written and driving industrial Lift Truck test and a driving test.
   • Must have a valid Michigan Driver’s license and maintain one at all times (2 years of experience).
   • General knowledge of the trailers used.
   • Must be able to back in and pull out trailers from docks and buildings using side mirrors.
   • Knowledge of the Yard Tractor instruments and controls: tractor brakes pressurize and release, trailer brakes pressurize and release, hydraulic 5th-wheel lift, 5th-wheel locking pin engage and release, transmission selector.
   • Must be able to effectively communicate both orally and in writing at all levels within the organization
   • Must be able to speak, read, and write in the English language.

   Physical Requirements :

   The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

   • Must be able to physically perform the essential functions of the role as outlined.
   • Physically able to climb in and out of cab w/o assistance.
   • Capable of properly maneuvering through tight areas and obstacles throughout the site.
   • Must be able to twist, bend, reach, and lift up to 50 pounds for 8 hours or the duration of the shift.
   • Must be able to safely operate an Industrial Lift Truck.

   Must be able to work in cooler, freezer, and blast freezer environments

   
   Monday thru Friday 5:00 am to 2:30 pm. Possible Daily and weekend overtime

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right switcher 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 switcher job on Zippia to find and recruit switcher candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit switchers, 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 switcher

   Once you've selected the best switcher 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 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 switcher. 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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