How to hire a utility worker

How to hire a utility worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step utility worker hiring guide:

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

What does a utility worker do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a utility worker, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A utility worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, utility workers 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 utility worker salaries for various roles:

   Type of Utility Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Utility Worker	General maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings. They paint, repair flooring, and work on plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning and heating systems.	$11-18
   Handyman	A handyman can perform various repair and maintenance tasks involving electricity, carpentry, plumbing, and even appliance installation. Most handymen work independently, but they can also choose to be part of a company... Show more	$15-29
   Repair Technician	A repair technician's role focuses on assessing the problem or damage of a device and implementing solutions for it to function again. Although the extent of a technician's tasks will depend on the device or industry of employment, most of it revolves around troubleshooting, providing technical support, installing and writing programs, detaching and re-attaching wirings, welding, and even thoroughly discussing problems and solutions to clients... Show more	$12-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Safety Procedures
   • Cleanliness
   • Rehabilitation
   • Kitchen Utensils
   • Food Service
   • Safety Standards
   • Hand Tools
   • CDL
   • Dishwashers
   • Work Tables
   • Kitchen Equipment
   • Safety Rules
   • Preventive Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Perform inspection reviews on final product and packaging to ensure quality standards are achieved according to GMP guidelines.
   • Maintain the installation and demolition of the worksite buildings and provide HVAC; electrical repairs and equipment repairs as needed.
   • Operate tools, including rakes, shovels, saws, axes and shears.
   • Maintain parks/schools grass cuts, blower, weedeat, plant plants, mulch leaves, etc.
   • Follow all GMP guidelines and documentation.
   • Service and clean cnc lathe machines.

   More utility worker duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, utility workers' average salary in mississippi is 51% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level utility workers earn 39% less than senior-level utility workers.
   • Certifications. A utility worker 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 utility worker's salary.

   Average utility worker salary

   $14.63hourly

   $30,429 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level utility worker salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average utility worker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$39,328	$19
   2	Oregon	$36,095	$17
   3	California	$35,704	$17
   4	Colorado	$31,978	$15
   5	Nevada	$31,963	$15
   6	Wisconsin	$30,721	$15
   7	New York	$30,487	$15
   8	Massachusetts	$30,241	$15
   9	Illinois	$30,230	$15
   10	Maryland	$29,929	$14
   11	Texas	$29,791	$14
   12	Arizona	$29,459	$14
   13	Kentucky	$29,144	$14
   14	North Carolina	$28,881	$14
   15	Virginia	$28,668	$14
   16	Missouri	$28,176	$14
   17	Iowa	$28,164	$14
   18	Maine	$27,891	$13
   19	Pennsylvania	$27,857	$13
   20	Nebraska	$27,606	$13

   Average utility worker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	UGI	$60,848	$29.25	17
   2	Xcel Energy	$56,351	$27.09	8
   3	Cummins	$54,739	$26.32
   4	Aqua	$50,331	$24.20	7
   5	Constellation Energy Partners	$50,205	$24.14
   6	Dickinson College	$49,280	$23.69
   7	Lakeland Electric	$49,064	$23.59
   8	Peterson Holding	$48,994	$23.55
   9	United Natural Foods	$48,693	$23.41
   10	American Water	$47,280	$22.73	9
   11	King County	$45,388	$21.82	3
   12	Eversource Energy	$44,864	$21.57	4
   13	Portland General Electric	$44,579	$21.43	11
   14	Precision Castparts	$44,468	$21.38	6
   15	Toho Water Authority	$44,455	$21.37
   16	Dairy Farmers of America	$44,411	$21.35	11
   17	Kemps	$43,441	$20.89	1
   18	Martin Marietta	$43,181	$20.76	13
   19	Unitil	$43,065	$20.70	4
   20	Middlesex Water	$43,027	$20.69	2

4. Writing a utility worker job description

   A job description for a utility worker 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 utility worker job description:

   Utility worker job description example

   Utility Worker FULL-TIME
   $18.22/hr WestRock (NYSE: WRK) partners with our customers to provide differentiated paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. WestRock s 50,000 team members support customers around the world from more than 300 operating and business locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Learn more at www.westrock.com. Career Opportunity:
   WestRock currently has entry-level labor position openings at our Delaware Water Gap, PA papermill facility that produces coated paperboard from recycled products. These entry level positions provide labor for various tasks around the mill including picking up paper, operating forklift, handling chemicals, cleaning, etc. Must be able to carry/lift 50 lbs. Candidates with previous experience operating forktruck or other mobile equipment are preferred, but that experience is not necessary for consideration. This is a rotating shift position and membership in the Union is required after 90 days. These entry-level positions provide labor for various tasks around the mill including picking up paper, operating forklifts, handling chemicals, cleaning, etc. If interested, please also apply directly online at REM-03 WS-03
   Schedule
   Shift start: 7:00AM or 3:00PM or 11:00PM
   Shift length: 8 hours
   Rotating shifts
   Benefits
   Health, dental, vision insurance - available after 90 days Paid time off 401(k) plan
   Qualifications
   Must pass drug screen Must pass background check Can lift 50 lbs Must be at least 18+ years old Previous experience operating fork truck or other mobile equipment are preferred
   
   About WestRock
   WestRock Company manufactures and sells paper and packaging solutions for the consumer and corrugated markets in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through three segments: Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, and Land and Development. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards for consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find utility workers 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 utility worker job on Zippia to find and recruit utility worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit utility workers, 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.

   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 utility worker

   Once you have selected a candidate for the utility worker position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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 utility worker 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.)

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How much does it cost to hire a utility worker?