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How to hire a tugger operator

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

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a tugger 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 tugger operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a tugger operator, step by step

To hire a tugger operator, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a tugger operator:

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

    Before you post your tugger 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 tugger 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?

    A tugger operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, tugger 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.

    This list shows salaries for various types of tugger operators.

    Type of Tugger OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Tugger 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$13-17
    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:
    • Tuggers
    • OSHA
    • Warehouse Environment
    • Honda
    • Assembly Line
    • RF Scanner
    • Toyota
    • Unload Trucks
    • Production Lines
    • Safety Rules
    • Hoists
    • Computer System
    Responsibilities:
    • Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operate cable equipment.
    • Start engines of hoists or winches and used levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
    • Pull dollies of materia safely to the line in a timely manner as to not shut down automotive industry line.
    • Deliver automotive parts to Toyota lineside
    • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
    • Operate a tugger for storage and removal of car parts and supplies to be transport to the Mercedes-Benz plant.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your tugger operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A tugger operator 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 tugger operator in New Hampshire may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level tugger operator usually earns less than a senior-level tugger operator. Additionally, a tugger operator 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 tugger operator salary

    $15.61hourly

    $32,478 yearly

    Entry-level tugger operator salary
    $28,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025

    Average tugger operator salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Ohio$38,008$18
    2Missouri$33,932$16
    3Kentucky$33,473$16
    4Michigan$32,504$16
    5Indiana$32,479$16
    6Tennessee$32,245$16
    7Texas$31,564$15
    8North Carolina$27,777$13

    Average tugger operator salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1VisionCorp Rep$36,726$17.661
    2Flex-N-Gate$35,951$17.28
    3LSC Communications$35,168$16.91
    4Goodman Manufacturing$34,327$16.502
    5SK Holding Company, Inc.$33,267$15.992
    6IH Services$33,234$15.98
    7SBM Management Services$32,799$15.7710
    8Aerotek$32,364$15.56294
    9Kelly Services$32,262$15.5195
    10Adecco$32,092$15.43246
    11Chase Professionals$31,943$15.36
    12Elwood Staffing$31,853$15.31
    13Automation Personnel Services$31,754$15.2728
    14Onin Staffing$31,754$15.27
    15NESCO$31,645$15.21
    16Randstad North America, Inc.$31,627$15.217
  4. Writing a tugger operator job description

    A tugger operator 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 tugger operator job description:

    Tugger operator job description example

    New South Express (NSE) is a subsidiary company of Honda Logistics North America (HLNA) and provides logistic services to the Honda manufacturing facility. NSE was established in 2000 and has locations in Lincoln, Al and Talladega, AL.


    What's in it for you?

    Elwood Staffing associates are eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package plus an exclusive savings program, including:

    • Medical/Vision/Dental/Rx plans
    • Holiday Pay
    • Teladoc (online care)
    • Referral Bonus Incentive
    • And More!

    Forklift/Tugger Operator Details:

    • Temp-to-Hire position
    • $15.25 to $15.85 /hour
    • Full Time and Part Time work available
    • Weekend work required
    • Various shifts available (Monday through Friday from 06:00am to 02:30pm)
    • Elwood Staffing has Tugger/Forklift Operator positions available inside of Honda for New South Express.
    • NSE Onsite tugger/forklift operators will earn $15.25 on 1st shift and $15.85 on 2nd shift.
    • No high school diploma or ged required.
    • On the job training.
    • Learn a new skill while getting certified to operate a forklift/tugger.

    Forklift/Tugger Operator Qualifications:

    • Willing to learn new skills.
    • Candidates should have good communication skills.
    • Work as a team and communicate as a team.
    • Frequent walking, bending, reaching and pushing.
    • Must be able to lift and carry 40lbs repetitively for 8+hour shift
    • Applicant may be subject to a background check
    • Pre-employment drug screen is required as a condition of employment

    *A conviction record will not necessarily prevent you from being employed. You will be required to complete and submit a questionnaire. We will consider your age at the time of the offense, when the offense occurred, the seriousness and the nature of the offense, as well as any rehabilitation to determine your employability.


    We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and celebrate diversity at all levels of our organization.


    Our commitment to you: Real People. Fast job offers. No Robots.


    :

    Visit, email, call, or text us today! Walk-ins are welcome! !


    Lincoln, AL

    48065 US Hwy 78

    Lincoln, AL 35096



    *See above for qualifications

    #IJ #ZR

  5. Post your job

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

    To successfully recruit tugger operators, 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 tugger operator

    Once you've found the tugger operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    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 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.)
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How much does it cost to hire a tugger operator?

There are different types of costs for hiring tugger operators. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new tugger operator employee.

The median annual salary for tugger operators is $32,478 in the US. However, the cost of tugger operator hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a tugger operator for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $13 and $17 an hour.

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