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Apprentice Design Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

... design through manufacturing and assembly, to help automakers create sleek, state-of-the-art ... Apprenticeship Agreement. Benefits: * Pay Rate Starting at $30.83 with shift premiums.

... design through manufacturing and assembly, to help automakers create sleek, state-of-the-art ... Apprenticeship Agreement. Benefits: * Pay Rate Starting at $30.83 with shift premiums.

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Apprentice Design information

See Illinois salary details

$11

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$36

How much do apprentice design jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for apprentice design in Illinois is $21.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.78 and $23.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an apprentice designer do?

An Apprentice Designer is an entry-level professional who works under the supervision of experienced designers to learn the fundamentals of design. Their responsibilities often include assisting with concept development, creating drafts or prototypes, and supporting the design team in various projects. They may work in fields such as graphic design, fashion, interior design, or industrial design. The apprenticeship provides hands-on experience, allowing them to build their skills and portfolio while gaining insight into industry practices. Over time, apprentice designers may take on more complex tasks as they grow in their role.

What types of projects can an apprentice designer expect to work on, and how much creative input is typically allowed at this level?

As an Apprentice Designer, you can expect to work on a variety of projects ranging from supporting senior designers with ongoing campaigns to assisting in the creation of assets for digital and print media. While much of your work will involve following established guidelines and direction from more experienced team members, many organizations encourage apprentices to contribute their ideas and bring a fresh perspective to brainstorming sessions. Over time, as you demonstrate your skills and initiative, you'll likely be given more responsibility and creative freedom on projects. Collaboration with other departments, such as marketing or product teams, is common, providing valuable exposure to the full design process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an apprentice designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Apprentice Designer, you need a solid understanding of design principles, basic proficiency in graphic design or related coursework, and a strong creative portfolio. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is typically expected. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and a willingness to learn from feedback help set you apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing high-quality design work, collaborating with senior designers, and growing professionally in a fast-paced creative environment.

What is the difference between Apprentice Design vs Junior Designer?

AspectApprentice DesignJunior Designer
Required CredentialsBasic education, often in progress of learning design skillsSome formal education or training, basic design skills
Work EnvironmentMentorship-focused, entry-level projectsSupervised projects, collaborative team settings
Employer UsageTraining roles in design firms or agenciesEntry-level position in design teams

Apprentice Design roles are primarily focused on learning and gaining hands-on experience under supervision, often with minimal prior skills. Junior Designer positions require some foundational skills and involve contributing to projects with more independence. Both roles serve as stepping stones in a design career, but apprenticeships emphasize training, while junior roles focus on applying skills in real-world projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Design jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Apprentice Design jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Apprentice Design job openings:

Infographic showing various Apprentice Design job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,387 per year, or $21.3 per hour.

Apprentice Machinist

Cortland, IL • On-site

$10 - $12/hr

Full-time

Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Company Description

Ace Machine & Tool, Inc. does what it takes to deliver accurately machined products with reliable service and innovative designs that solve problems. We provide affordable engineering and collaboration services for close tolerance, low volume prototypes and production of 1-10,000 parts.
 

Job Description

Ace Machine & Tool - 1st Shift only - Mon-Fri 7AM-3:30PM, Cortland, IL (50 miles West of Chicago, near DeKalb, IL).  Must be reliable and on-time for work, valid Illinois driver's license, clean driving record and background check.

Apprentice Machinist - Job Responsibilities:

This position is full-time and works approximately 40 hours per week, with occasional overtime on weekdays and/or weekends.  Includes Apprenticeship Program with a clear career path to Certified Machinist through the TMA, earned through dedication and a strong work ethic.  Apprentice classes to start in Autumn 2018 on weekday evenings.  Clean, modern and progressive Machine Shop concentrating on prototypes, design, engineering and production as an OEM for medical, aerospace, government, auto and food industries.
 

Position Description:  The Apprentice Machinist will be responsible to setup, produce, troubleshoot, and verify that parts conform to drawings, processes and procedures. The Apprentice will be required to be versatile within a production environment and learn the various equipment as required.  Skills to develop include a working knowledge of CAD/CAM, SurfCam, DraftSight, G-Code and AutoCad software.  Work is performed inside a clean, air conditioned and heated environment though typical coolants, metal chips and oil will be part of the process of making machined parts. 

Expectations:  Willingness and ability to learn, read, follow and interpret drawings, processes and procedures.  Training will be focused on setting up machining jobs efficiently on the manufacturing floor.  Applicant must possess intermediate math skills, ability to communicate with others, and engage in process improvements.  Appropriately use all inspection equipment and sample features to verify conformance as required.  Follow safety procedures as required and be a positive Team Member that has the drive and initiative to help the business grow.

Qualifications

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Operates the CNC milling machine, lathe, drill-press, sander, buffer, bench grinder and various hand tools. 
  • Reads blueprints, sketches, and follows verbal instructions.  Assists in ordering, receiving and storing material and supplies.
  • Repairs and modifies equipment, with instructions from supervisor.  Keeps workplace clean and organized.
  • Documentation: Completion of work orders; identify time and material spent on project.  Performs occasional tasks outside of job description in support of the Ace Team's mission.
  • Sweep floors, clean equipment and machines, take out shop garbage and recycling on a regular schedule.

Required Qualifications:

  • High School diploma or GED.
  • Work experience with shop math proficiency and strong mechanical aptitude is appreciated; basic math skills required (classes can be recommended as needed).
  • Position requires a valid Illinois driver's license or Illinois Class D license.  Class D - Any motor vehicle with a GVWR of 16,000 pounds or less. Does not include A. B, C, L or M vehicles.
  • Must be able to lift and carry tools and material weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Noise and vibration from operation equipment is consistent, though ear plugs are provided.
Additional Information

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Self-starter with good customer service skills and a pleasant demeanor, with the ability to maintain a good working relationship with staff.
  • Ability to maintain a high level of attention to accuracy and details with the ability to use discretion and good judgment.
  • Safely operate various types of machinery used in the trade.
  • Learn to read blueprints, sketches, and closely follow verbal instructions.
  • Operate various types of machinery used in the trade such as milling machine, lathe, drill press, sander, buffer, bench grinder and various hand tools.
  • A candidate needs to possess openness to learning new skills and collaborating with other team members to create solutions.

Salary Range:

The hiring range for this position is $10 - $12 per hour depending on experience, with a clear career path to Certified Machinist.

Benefits:

  • Future Retirement Savings Plan (401K) 2019
  • 5 Vacation days after one year
  • 5 Paid Holidays
  • Life & Disability Insurance available at low cost
  • Apprentice & Training Programs available through local community college

www.AceMachineToolInc.com/Careers for direct contact or call 815-762-0043, thank you!