ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Hand Lettering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Good Food Holdings

Chalk Artist

Santa Cruz, CA · On-site

$20 - $28.50/hr

Strong hand lettering, illustration, and graphic design skills are a must, as well as superior spelling skills and the ability to perform simple math operations. Physical Demands While performing the ...

Paramount

Designer, Publishing

Los Angeles, CA

$65K - $100K/yr

Illustration, hand-lettering, and photo re-touching abilities are a plus. Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ: PSKY) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium ...

Antelope Valley College

Graphic Artist

Lancaster, CA · On-site

$5.0K/mo

Produces and designs camera-ready art work with a variety of media through desktop publishing programs, photo manipulation, paste-ups, free-hand and mechanical lettering, and/or drawings. (E)

Antelope Valley College

Graphic Artist

Lancaster, CA · On-site

$5.0K/mo

... free-hand and mechanical lettering, and/or drawings. (E) Provide instructional and miscellaneous artwork including photography, charts, transparencies, window displays, brochures, flyers, ads ...

Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort

Tradesman II

Jackson, CA · On-site

$28 - $36.40/hr

Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws ... Engraves lettering in wood or plastic signs. * Smooths surfaces and removes old paint from surfaces ...

Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort

Tradesman II

Jackson, CA · On-site

$28 - $36.40/hr

Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws ... Engraves lettering in wood or plastic signs. * Smooths surfaces and removes old paint from surfaces ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsHand Lettering JobsHand Lettering Jobs in California

Hand Lettering information

See California salary details

$9

$17

$23

How much do hand lettering jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for hand lettering in California is $17.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges hand lettering artists face when working on client projects?

Hand lettering artists often encounter challenges such as interpreting a client's vision accurately, managing revisions, and meeting tight deadlines. Balancing creative expression with brand guidelines or specific client requirements can be demanding. Additionally, hand letterers must ensure their work translates well across various mediums, such as digital and print, which sometimes requires adapting their techniques or using specialized software.

What can I do with hand lettering?

A hand lettering artist can create custom designs for branding, signage, greeting cards, and decorative art. This role often involves working with tools like pens, brushes, and digital software, and may require a portfolio to showcase skills for freelance or employment opportunities.

What is the average salary of a calligrapher?

The average salary of a calligrapher varies depending on experience, location, and whether they work freelance or for a company. Typically, calligraphers earn between $20,000 and $50,000 annually, with skilled professionals or those with a strong portfolio potentially earning more. Many also supplement income through workshops, commissions, or selling their work.

What is hand lettering?

Hand lettering is the art of drawing letters by hand, rather than using pre-existing fonts or typefaces. Unlike traditional calligraphy, which relies on specific strokes and tools, hand lettering focuses on creating custom letterforms and unique designs for each piece. Artists often use pencils, pens, markers, or brushes to craft decorative words or phrases for things like signs, invitations, logos, and artwork. Hand lettering allows for a high level of creativity and personalization, making each project unique.

What is the difference between Hand Lettering vs Calligraphy?

AspectHand LetteringCalligraphy
Skills & TechniquesDrawing and designing custom letterforms by hand, often with digital toolsCreating decorative, stylized writing with specific brush or pen strokes
Tools & MaterialsPencils, markers, digital tabletsBrush pens, dip pens, ink
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, freelance, digital platformsArt studios, wedding invitations, formal events
Industry UsageBranding, logos, custom artworkWedding invitations, certificates, formal documents

While both Hand Lettering and Calligraphy involve beautiful lettering, Hand Lettering focuses on creating custom letterforms through drawing and design, often combining digital and traditional tools. Calligraphy emphasizes stylized writing with specific strokes and tools, typically used for formal or decorative writing. Understanding these differences helps clients choose the right artist for their project.

Can you make money hand lettering?

Hand lettering can be a profitable career or side income for skilled artists, especially through freelance work, selling custom pieces, or creating products like prints and signage. Success depends on skill level, marketing, and building a client base, with many artists earning income by offering services or selling their work online or locally.

What careers use handwriting analysis?

Careers that use handwriting analysis include forensic document examiners, who analyze handwriting for legal cases, and graphologists, who assess personality traits for employment or psychological evaluations. These roles require strong attention to detail, knowledge of writing patterns, and often certification or training in document examination or graphology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Hand Lettering Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hand Lettering Artist, you need a strong foundation in typography, drawing skills, and design principles, often supported by a portfolio of creative work. Familiarity with digital illustration tools like Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, and traditional materials such as brush pens and paper is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and patience are essential soft skills for producing unique and polished lettering pieces. These skills and qualities are important because they enable artists to create visually appealing and professional work that meets client or project needs.
What are popular job titles related to Hand Lettering jobs in California? For Hand Lettering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Hand Lettering jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Hand Lettering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Hand Lettering jobs? Cities in California with the most Hand Lettering job openings:
Hand Lettering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hand Lettering job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,700 per year, or $17.2 per hour.
Chalk Artist

Chalk Artist

Good Food Holdings

Santa Cruz, CA • On-site

$20 - $28.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Who is New Leaf Community Markets?
New Leaf Community Markets opened its doors as a small cooperative in 1985 on the Westside of Santa Cruz. We learned early on, that the well-being of our guests, staff, and community starts with sustainable, locally-produced food. Farm-to-table all the way! We've partnered with open-minded producers who care as deeply about our people, the planet, and social justice as we do, from day one.
Our mission is to be a purveyor of good - from offering the best local and natural foods to taking care of our staff, community, and environment. We love what we do, and we know that it's our passionate staff who make it all possible. We're committed to taking care of our people by leading the way with progressive employment practices.
Every day, we work to create an atmosphere of openness, caring, trust, and fairness - a place where staff can thrive, and differences are celebrated. As a member of the New Leaf Community Markets team, you can count on an inclusive, friendly environment and a welcoming group of inspired individuals who love people, great food, and being a part of a community gathering place.
Ingredients You'll Bring to the Table:
You love food and have the ability to create an experience that is beyond the everyday. You have a positive attitude and work well in a team environment. You can connect with people and reach a level of hospitality that exceeds guests' expectations. You are warm, outgoing, authentically amazing, and want to be inspired, challenged, and proud of where you work.
You embody the spirit of New Leaf Community Market's core values: Community, Integrity, Sustainability, Quality, and Respect; and you are driven by our mission to nourish and sustain our community by using business as a force for change.
What's on Your Plate:
Job Title: Chalk Artist
Department: Store Operations
Reports To: Store Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Summary
The Chalk Artist will design and create chalkboard signs for promotions, store literature, signage, hand-drawn flyers, and shelf signs. They will work together with Store Operations Management and ensure that all objectives and goals of the department and store are met or exceeded, as communicated by the Advertisement and Merchandising teams.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Maintain and produce hand-written and hand-drawn signage for all departments, adhering to company standards.
  • Maintain visual quality and consistency for all departments.
  • Perform daily store walks in all departments to check the quality and appearance of signs. Replace as needed.
  • Illustrate chalkboards for display in departments.
  • Maintain inventory of necessary supplies and equipment.
  • Use courteous and proper etiquette when answering the phones and pages.
  • Maintain working knowledge and application of all merchandising expectations within the department.

Education and/or Experience
High school diploma or general education degree (GED). The Chalk Artist should have previous experience as a sign maker, assistant sign maker, or equivalent. Strong hand lettering, illustration, and graphic design skills are a must, as well as superior spelling skills and the ability to perform simple math operations.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the Chalk Artist is frequently required to stand and walk for extended periods. Bend and stoop to grasp objects and climb ladders. Bend and twist neck and waist, reach above and below shoulders, and squat. The Chalk Artist must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Repetitive use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Why You'll Love Working at New Leaf Community Markets
  • Amazing Benefits Package - Including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and 401k at 28 hours a week.
  • Great earning potential with the opportunity for growth within our family of brands
  • Paid Parental Leave available
  • Lifestyle Scheduling
  • Public Transport Benefits
  • Paid Community Service Hours
  • 30% discount at all New Leaf Community Markets, Bristol Farms, and Lazy Acres Natural Market locations

Apply