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Lettering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PAINTER I

Indio, CA

$18.75 - $25.50/hr

May do simple lettering and sign painting * Will review and verify work requests daily for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance performing the work required and will turn in completed work orders ...

Aircraft Painter

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$26.25 - $33.25/hr

Follow precise instructions and blueprints to create custom designs, logos, or lettering on aircraft. * Inspect painted surfaces for quality, ensuring proper thickness, gloss, and uniformity of color.

PAINTER I

Indio, CA · On-site

$18.75 - $25.50/hr

May do simple lettering and sign painting * Will review and verify work requests daily for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance performing the work required and will turn in completed work orders ...

Lead Graphic Designer

Glendale, CA · On-site

$95K - $128K/yr

Hand lettering/custom typography * Strong interpersonal and people management skills * Strong negotiation skills and influencing abilities * Highly motivated and able to manage and inspire others

Sign Installer

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$18.75 - $24.50/hr

Apply vinyl graphics and lettering to various surfaces. * Assist with the installation of sales office displays, furniture, fixtures, and related materials when required. * Operate hand tools, power ...

Apply vinyl graphics and lettering to various surfaces. * Assist with the installation of sales office displays, furniture, fixtures, and related materials when required. * Operate hand tools, power ...

Showing results 21-40

Lettering information

See California salary details

$9

$16

$24

How much do lettering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for lettering in California is $16.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.24 and $19.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical day look like for a professional lettering artist working in a creative agency?

As a lettering artist in a creative agency, your day usually involves collaborating closely with graphic designers, art directors, and clients to develop custom typographic designs for various projects such as branding, packaging, or advertising. You'll spend time sketching concepts, digitizing artwork, and refining details to align with the client’s vision and project goals. Regular feedback sessions and team meetings are common, ensuring your lettering integrates seamlessly with other design elements. Managing multiple deadlines and adapting to different project styles are frequent challenges, but the role offers creative variety and the opportunity to build a diverse portfolio.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lettering artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lettering Artist, you need strong drawing skills, a good understanding of typography, and a portfolio showcasing your work, often supported by formal design education. Mastery of graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, and Photoshop is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to take feedback are essential soft skills for excelling in this role. These skills ensure the creation of visually compelling and effective lettering that meets client or project requirements.

What is a lettering artist?

Lettering artists are professionals who specialize in drawing and designing letters by hand, often creating custom typography for various applications such as logos, posters, book covers, and advertisements. Unlike standard fonts, their work involves crafting unique letterforms that convey a specific mood, style, or brand identity. Lettering artists use a variety of tools, including pens, brushes, and digital software, to create their designs. Their skills are valued in graphic design, branding, and illustration industries.

What is the difference between Lettering vs Sign Painter?

AspectLetteringSign Painter
CredentialsDesign skills, typography knowledgePainting skills, traditional craftsmanship
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, freelanceSign shops, outdoor signage
Industry UsageGraphic design, brandingCommercial signage, advertising
Common Search IntentDesign-focused, digital or hand-drawnPhysical sign creation, painting

Lettering involves creating stylized text through design and illustration, often digitally or by hand, focusing on aesthetics and typography. Sign painters traditionally hand-paint signs on physical surfaces, emphasizing craftsmanship and physical application. While both roles involve text creation, lettering is more design-oriented, whereas sign painting emphasizes physical sign fabrication.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lettering jobs in California? The most popular types of Lettering jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Lettering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,301 per year, or $16 per hour.

$18.75 - $25.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Description

Summary:

Will assist in maintaining entire facility, preparing, painting interior and exterior surfaces, to buildings, equipment, furniture, and fixtures. 


Essential Duties and Responsibilities include:

  • Paints and redecorates interior and exterior walls, woodwork, furniture, and fixtures
  • Rigs scaffolding, prepares surfaces for painting and fills cracks and holes.
  • Mixes blends, and matches paints.
  • Uses brushes, rollers and spray equipment; does finished work using stains and varnishes
  • Cleans and maintains equipment.
  • May do simple lettering and sign painting
  • Will review and verify work requests daily for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance performing the work required and will turn in completed work orders upon completion of tasks assigned that day. 
  • Will monitor dispatch calls on radio for problems needing immediate attention, respond to these calls immediately, and will inform management of any equipment needing further repairs or adjustment.
  • All repairs will be performed correctly and area cleaned up of all debris before leaving area.
  • Will follow all regulations pertaining to the handling of hazardous materials in their disposal, and to enter all transactions in appropriate documentation. 
  • Safety- Will observe all safety and security procedures determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
  • Dependability- Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
  • Quality- Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.


This position is not limited to those duties listed in the job description. Duties and responsibilities can be changed, expanded, reduced or deleted to meet business needs of the company.


Supervisory Responsibilities:                      

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities


Requirements

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures in the painting trade.


Education and/or Experience:

  • High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
  • Minimum one-year experience in painting, or wall covering trade. 
  • Must be 21 years of age or older. 


Physical Demands:


The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger; handle, or feel ; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.


Work Environment:


The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; extreme heat and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.Â