Hiring guide · Skilled Trades & Construction
How to Hire a Manufactured Home Installer
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring manufactured home installers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $45,990), recruit through registered apprenticeship programs and union halls, verify State installer license where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for manufactured home installers
There are about 3,500 manufactured home installers employed in the U.S., with roughly 300 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +5.8% from 2025–35 (faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $27,120–$35,800 | $13.04–$17.21 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $51,970 | $24.99 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $60,810 | $29.24 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Leveling
- Teamwork
Nice-to-haves
- State installer license
- HUD installation training
- OSHA 10
- Experience with jacks
Where to find manufactured home installers
- Registered apprenticeship programs and union halls
- Trade and technical school placement offices
- Pre-apprenticeship and veterans programs
- Referrals from current crew members
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Mobile Home Installer, Modular Home Setter, Home Setup Technician, Manufactured Housing Technician
Screening checklist
- Verify state licenses (apprentice registration, journeyworker, master) where required
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards and prior safety record
- Valid driver’s license and driving record if operating company vehicles
- A practical skills test or supervised trial task
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Have you set homes?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “Do you have a license?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
3. “How do you level?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “Can you travel?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
5. “How do you stay safe?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Level a Manufactured Home (see the steps)
- Install Tie-Downs to Code (see the steps)
- Seal a Marriage Line (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Pier, Tie-down, Marriage line
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Manufactured Home Installer 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Manufactured Home Installer training. Show them the path forward: Helper → Installer → Lead Installer → Licensed Contractor.
Hiring manufactured home installers: FAQ
How much should I pay a manufactured home installer?
The U.S. median wage for manufactured home installers is $45,990 per year ($22.11/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($35,800), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($51,970). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a manufactured home installer have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for State installer license and HUD installation training where relevant, plus skills such as leveling, anchoring, and section joining.
How long does it take to train a new manufactured home installer?
Becoming qualified typically takes A few weeks to months. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”