How to hire a technical machine operator

How to hire a technical machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your technical machine operator 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 technical machine operator 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 technical machine operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, technical 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.

   Here's a comparison of technical machine operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Technical Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Technical Machine Operator		$12-19
   Machines Technician	A machine technician can often be seen in a manufacturing company, factories, processing centers, and machine shops. They typically work as the apprentice of machine engineers that are responsible for ensuring that all machinery and machine tools are working properly... Show more	$14-25
   Molder Operator	A molder operator sets up for the production of millwork, which is a crucial and major output of precision wood products. This position requires experience with all machinery associated with the woodworking industry... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Basic Math
   • Safety Procedures
   • Math
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Safety Regulations
   • Quality Checks
   • CNC
   • Machine Operation
   • Continuous Improvement
   • GMP
   • Trouble Shoot
   • Quality Standards
   • Pallet Jack
   • Production Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Detail orient; familiar with ISO standards and procedures.
   • Maintain a safe and organize area while wearing proper PPE and following all safety protocols.
   • Oversee extrusion production line, remove finish product, process packaging and stack accordingly to production work orders.
   • Modify belts by punching holes, skive, or cut fingers depending on belt type and/or per FDA approval.
   • Complete all necessary documentation and perform GMP procedures regularly.
   • Recognize for work done in a sterile environment and utilizing correct safety PPE for surrounding work areas/machinery.

   More technical machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your technical machine operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A technical machine operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, technical machine operators' average salary in wyoming is 52% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level technical machine operators earn 34% less than senior-level technical machine operators.
   • Certifications. A technical machine operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a technical machine operator's salary.

   Average technical machine operator salary

   $16.26hourly

   $33,812 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level technical machine operator salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average technical machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	North Dakota	$42,786	$21
   2	Minnesota	$40,877	$20
   3	Massachusetts	$38,316	$18
   4	Pennsylvania	$36,971	$18
   5	Iowa	$36,454	$18
   6	Ohio	$36,388	$17
   7	New Jersey	$35,604	$17
   8	Vermont	$35,105	$17
   9	Virginia	$34,791	$17
   10	Illinois	$34,178	$16
   11	Washington	$33,345	$16
   12	Kentucky	$32,037	$15
   13	North Carolina	$31,478	$15
   14	South Carolina	$31,407	$15
   15	Tennessee	$31,382	$15
   16	Texas	$30,688	$15
   17	Indiana	$30,630	$15
   18	Arkansas	$29,433	$14
   19	Florida	$28,709	$14
   20	Colorado	$28,602	$14

   Average technical machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Blue Diamond Growers	$44,210	$21.25	1
   2	The Clorox Company	$42,098	$20.24	17
   3	Henkel	$39,672	$19.07	92
   4	Golden State Foods	$38,682	$18.60
   5	Sonoco	$38,423	$18.47	20
   6	NOV	$38,286	$18.41	32
   7	Ericsson	$38,059	$18.30
   8	Eaton	$37,987	$18.26	83
   9	Plastipak	$37,841	$18.19
   10	Tyson Foods	$37,541	$18.05	21
   11	WestRock	$37,434	$18.00	72
   12	Litehouse Foods	$37,358	$17.96	3
   13	Pactiv	$37,044	$17.81	83
   14	Mueller Water Products	$36,949	$17.76	4
   15	MeadWestvaco	$36,944	$17.76
   16	Blue Origin	$36,325	$17.46	22
   17	The Coca-Cola Company	$36,287	$17.45	74
   18	Tenneco	$35,157	$16.90	14
   19	Amazon	$34,395	$16.54	310
   20	Honeywell	$34,264	$16.47	27

4. Writing a technical machine operator job description

   A job description for a technical machine operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a technical machine operator job description:

   Technical machine operator job description example

   Pay Rates Start between $18.25-$20.00/hour+.90 shift premium doe.

   2nd shift hours: 3:00pm-1:00am Monday thru Thursday.

   Requirements

   Job Duties and Responsibilities

   • Set up and operate finishing equipment including but not limited to straightener, saw, and furnace. Blow plugs, rand bright, and swirl.
   • Use measuring equipment, including micrometers and tape measures
   • Evaluate and assist in solving problems associated with quality
   • Any and all other duties as assigned
   • High School Diploma or GED is required.
   • Previous manufacturing experience is preferred.
   • Must be able to read, write and perform basic math calculations without difficulty or additional assistance.
   • Must be trainable and be able to demonstrate acceptable levels of comprehension on various types of equipment and machinery and various aspects of intricate production techniques.
   • Must be able to demonstrate strong general mechanical skills.
   • Must be able to concentrate in a dynamic work environment and be detail-oriented in order to maintain desired levels of quality, keep accurate accounts of time and production and achieve expected levels of throughput while maintaining a safe working environment.

   Physical Demands

   The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be continually met on a daily basis by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hand to finger, handle, feel, talk and hear. The employee is continually expected to stand and walk for periods up to 8 hours (overtime as required) per shift with two 10 minute and one 20 minute break period. The employee must be able to do this without the aid of any physical or motorized devices. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, or squat to work on equipment or perform manufacturing processes. This must be able to be done in a narrow or tight space if required. The employee must be capable of ascending and descending stairs to cross production lines and work on equipment. The employee must be able to step down un-assisted to work on equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

   
   

   #pando

   #ind456

   PandoLogic. Keywords: General Machine Operator, Location: Eagle, WI - 53119 , PL: 549367467

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find technical 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 technical machine operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level technical 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 technical machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit technical machine operator 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 technical machine operators, 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 technical machine operator

   Once you've selected the best technical machine operator 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new technical 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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