How to hire a tugger operator

How to hire a tugger operator, step by step

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?

   Yes

   No

   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 Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Tugger Operator	Material 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 Driver	A 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 Operator	A 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

   Show more

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

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

   Average tugger operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	VisionCorp Rep	$36,726	$17.66	1
   2	Flex-N-Gate	$35,951	$17.28
   3	LSC Communications	$35,168	$16.91
   4	Goodman Manufacturing	$34,327	$16.50	2
   5	SK Holding Company, Inc.	$33,267	$15.99	2
   6	IH Services	$33,234	$15.98
   7	SBM Management Services	$32,799	$15.77	10
   8	Aerotek	$32,364	$15.56	294
   9	Kelly Services	$32,262	$15.51	95
   10	Adecco	$32,092	$15.43	246
   11	Chase Professionals	$31,943	$15.36
   12	Elwood Staffing	$31,853	$15.31
   13	Automation Personnel Services	$31,754	$15.27	28
   14	Onin Staffing	$31,754	$15.27
   15	NESCO	$31,645	$15.21
   16	Randstad North America, Inc.	$31,627	$15.21	7

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

   Copy this example

   

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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