How to hire a tool machinist

How to hire a tool machinist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step tool machinist hiring guide:

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

Post a tool machinist job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the tool machinist you need to hire. Certain tool machinist 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

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

   Type of Tool Machinist	Description	Hourly rate
   Tool Machinist	Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.	$19-36
   Grinder	Depending on the industry, a grinder has a diverse range of duties. Typically, they oversee setting up and operating bearing grinders, cam grinders, and CNC lathes... Show more	$12-19
   Tool And Die Maker	A tool and die maker is responsible for operating various mechanical tools and equipment to create components, metal parts, and other tools for a wide range of industries. Tool and die makers analyze schematics and blueprints to assemble parts and verify dimensions accurately... Show more	$19-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC
   • Jigs
   • Hand Tools
   • Grinders
   • Calipers
   • Drill Presses
   • BARS
   • Dial Indicators
   • Aluminum
   • Cad Cam
   • Machine Shop Equipment
   • FANUC
   • Inspection Equipment
   • Brazing

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Use of precision tools, calipers, micrometers, and dial indicators to ensure machine tolerances meet require specifications.
   • Operate lathes, vertical and horizontal mills, surface grinders, shapers, drill presses, and various cutting equipment.
   • Experience with boring mills, Blanchard grinders, lathes, and surface grinders.
   • Job duties include setting locators on assembly jigs and periodic inspection using a laser tracker system.
   • Calculate dimensions & tolerances using knowledge of mathematics & instruments such as micrometers, vernier- calipers & other measuring instruments.
   • Work closely with management and engineering staff to ensure efficient and safe methods are utilized in producing high quality aerospace components.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, tool machinists' average salary in oklahoma is 36% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level tool machinists 45% less than senior-level tool machinists.
   • Certifications. A tool machinist 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 tool machinist's salary.

   Average tool machinist salary

   $56,038yearly

   $26.94 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level tool machinist salary

   $41,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a tool machinist job description

   A job description for a tool machinist 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 tool machinist job description:

   Tool machinist job description example

   Official Title is: Machinist III
   
   Live Tooling VTL experience REQUIRED. Lathe and mill background preferred.
   
   Program, set up and operate CNC machines and conventional machines according to production specifications to produce parts of exceptional quality.
   
   PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The duties and responsibilities regularly performed for this position are:
   
   * Maintain and promote "One Chromalloy" Core Values
   * Maintain and promote 5S standards in the work area
   * Adhere to and promote Company health, safety and environmental policies while performing job duties
   * Must be aware of ISO - Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS) quality requirements.
   * Adhere to and promote Corporate Code of Ethical Standards
   * Program set up and operate CNC machines under the direction of supervisors
   * Load and perform simple edits of program if required
   * Inspect and measure parts to ensure specifications are met
   * Blending of surfaces and applying or removing excess material with hand tools or machinery
   * Set-up and use of various machines, fixtures and tools.
   * Part modification to specifications.
   * Must follow production specifications in regard to assembly of new manufactured parts.
   * Use of Computerized tracking systems
   
   The specific EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE requirements of this position are:
   
   * High School diploma or equivalent
   * Passing grade on job related test
   
   The specific SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE required for this position are:
   
   * Minimum two years' experience preferred
   * Must be able to read and write in English.
   * Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
   * Ability to use hand held measuring tools.
   * Ability to work effectively individually or as part of a team.
   * Basic math skills required.
   
   Limitless Opportunities
   
   Chromalloy offers challenging assignments, great teams, development and training, and exciting opportunities to enhance your skills, abilities and knowledge.
   
   Chromalloy maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. Please note that depending on the specific position, you may be required to pass additional medical tests, background checks, and/or other requirements.
   
   Chromalloy is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants and to prohibit any discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. Sexual harassment, or any other kind of harassment, will not be tolerated. The foundation of these policies is our commitment to treat everyone fairly and equally and to have a bias-free work environment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find tool machinists 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 tool machinists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level tool machinists 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 tool machinist job on Zippia to find and recruit tool machinist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with tool machinist 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 tool machinist

   Once you've selected the best tool machinist 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.

   To prepare for the new tool machinist 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a tool machinist?