Post job

How to hire a terminal operator

Terminal operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring terminal operators in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a terminal operator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new terminal operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a terminal operator, step by step

To hire a terminal operator, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a terminal operator:

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

What does a terminal operator do?

A terminal operator is responsible for assisting daily operations within the transportation or manufacturing agencies. Terminal operators inspect the stability and efficiency of equipment and machinery to ensure its optimal performance during operational processes. They conduct quality control tests to determine inconsistencies in terminal functions and strategize techniques to enhance distribution policies. A terminal operator must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills to maintain terminal equipment and assist the team in performing duties to achieve business goals and objectives.

Learn more about the specifics of what a terminal operator does
jobs
Post a terminal operator job for free, promote it for a fee
  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your terminal 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 terminal 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?

    Hiring the perfect terminal operator 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.

    This list presents terminal operator salaries for various positions.

    Type of Terminal OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Terminal OperatorMaterial moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more$15-23
    Forklift DriverA forklift operator is responsible for managing and operating industrial trucks and machines to ensure its performance safety and stability. Forklift operators' duties include safely handling of deliveries, securely moving items to storage areas, monitoring inventories and supplies, running diagnostic tests, reporting inspected malfunctions and deficiencies, performing basic troubleshooting, and adhering to safety procedures... Show more$12-19
    Machine Operator/Forklift OperatorA machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment... Show more$12-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Loaders
    • Cranes
    • Rail Cars
    • Customer Service
    • TWIC
    • General Maintenance
    • GRASS
    • OSHA
    • Terminal Equipment
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Storage Tanks
    • Product Quality
    • Facility Equipment
    • Terminal Operations
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage the efficient use of locomotives and fuel to ensure that freight car cycles are effectively manage while in the terminals.
    • Operate forklift, loaders, bulldozers, excavators, ship hydraulic cranes.
    • Pull LTL loads for shipment.
    • Experience in Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO).
    • Operate forklifts and loaders for loading aircraft.
    • Complete and signs declaration of inspection (Doi).
    More terminal operator duties
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, terminal operators' average salary in georgia is 32% less than in hawaii.
    • Seniority. Entry-level terminal operators 33% less than senior-level terminal operators.
    • Certifications. A terminal 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 terminal operator's salary.

    Average terminal operator salary

    $39,948yearly

    $19.21 hourly rate

    Entry-level terminal operator salary
    $32,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025

    Average terminal operator salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1North Dakota$48,591$23
    2Washington$47,489$23
    3Oregon$47,259$23
    4Missouri$43,076$21
    5Maryland$42,463$20
    6Colorado$41,955$20
    7Illinois$41,682$20
    8California$41,462$20
    9Indiana$41,144$20
    10Ohio$40,892$20
    11Iowa$39,703$19
    12Texas$38,912$19
    13Virginia$38,079$18
    14South Carolina$37,009$18
    15Florida$36,139$17
    16North Carolina$35,995$17
    17Tennessee$35,452$17
    18Georgia$33,435$16

    Average terminal operator salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Land O'Lakes$44,332$21.3115
    2Titan America$44,256$21.288
    3Clean Harbors$43,888$21.1048
    4UGI$43,823$21.074
    5GCC Dacotha$43,735$21.03
    6Railserve$43,293$20.81
    7MDU Resources$43,174$20.761
    8Gavilon$43,031$20.69
    9Buzzi Unicem USA$42,398$20.382
    10Matson$41,884$20.14
    11Oldcastle Infrastructure$41,846$20.12303
    12Jurgensen Companies$41,726$20.06
    13Colonial Pipeline$41,709$20.053
    14Holcim$41,689$20.04
    15Peckham Industries$41,607$20.00
    16Cargill$41,471$19.9449
    17Zenith Energy U.S.$41,394$19.901
    18Lafarge North America$41,350$19.88
    19TransMontaigne Partners LP$41,326$19.8710
    20IT TECHNOLOGY$41,300$19.86
  4. Writing a terminal operator job description

    A good terminal operator job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a terminal operator job description:

    Terminal operator job description example

    • Terminal Operators need the ability to communicate with Terminal Managers, customers, sales personnel, trucking firms and suppliers.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
    Required Education: High School diploma/GED
    Required Work Experience: 1-3 years
    Licenses Preferred: Valid Driver’s License

    Required Computer and Software Skills:

    Basic knowledge about computers, Microsoft Office and SAP

    Additional Requirements:

    • Experience with customer service and equipment operation and maintenance.

    Physical Demands
    The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met 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 hands to finger, grasp, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; climb stairs & ladders; reach with hands and arms; talk, hear and smell. Infrequently the employee is required to work in awkward situations; balance; stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to sit. Without mechanical or other assistance, the employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Lifts over 50 pounds should be done with mechanical or other employee assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employee must perform work outdoors in all weather conditions, and will work around moving mechanical parts. Various PPE will include safety boots, reflective clothing, safety glasses, gloves and hat. Additional PPE may be required depending upon tasks.

    Company DescriptionThe Holcim Foundation was created in 2003 to promote thought leadership on a greener, smarter, circular, and more inclusive built environment. It is an initiative of Holcim and expresses our commitment to accelerating our world’s transition to a net zero and inclusive future.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find terminal operators for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your terminal operator job on Zippia to find and recruit terminal operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with terminal operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    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 terminal operator

    Once you've selected the best terminal 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 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 employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  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.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a terminal operator?

Hiring a terminal operator comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting terminal operators involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of terminal operator recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $39,948 per year for a terminal operator, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for terminal operators in the US typically range between $15 and $23 an hour.

Find better terminal operators in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring terminal operators FAQs

Search for terminal operator jobs

Ready to start hiring?

Browse transportation jobs