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Sign Painter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SIGN PAINTER

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$48.16/hr

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT SIGN PAINTER Department of Transportation (CDOT) Division of Sign Management Number of Positions: 2 (Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval) Starting Salary: $48 ...

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Sign Painter

Holly Springs, NC ยท On-site

$17 - $24/hr

Sign Painter Holly Springs, North Carolina | Full-time | Exempt ASI | North Carolina offers superior product solutions for interior, exterior, and digital signage. From our proven proprietary product ...

Sign Painter

Stanfield, NC ยท On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Sign Painter / Production Specialist We are seeking a skilled, detail-oriented Sign Painter / Production Specialist to join our custom sign manufacturing team. This role focuses on prepping, painting ...

A sign painter's primary role is to prepare, paint, refinish and refurbish metal cabinets, structures, channel letters, bases, and/or other sign components. Other responsibilities include proactively ...

Description: A sign painter's primary role is to prepare, paint, refinish and refurbish metal cabinets, structures, channel letters, bases, and/or other sign components. Other responsibilities ...

Painter

Denver, CO

$19.25 - $26/hr

Painter (Sign Painter) Location: Denver, CO Job Summary: We are seeking a skilled Painter with experience in sign painting to join our team in Denver, CO. The successful candidate will be responsible ...

Paint Industrial Signage: Apply paint, coatings, and finishes to various industrial signage materials, including metal, plastic, and composite surfaces, ensuring an even and smooth finish. * Set Up ...

Industrial Sign Painter. Location: Cedar Hill, TX. 1st & 2nd Shifts. We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Industrial Sign Painter to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess experience ...

Paint Prep/Painter

Chino, CA ยท On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Paint helper/Prepper for an electrical sign company. Job Summary: The Paint Helper/Prepper is responsible for preparing sign components and surfaces for painting and assisting painters with their ...

Painter

Las Vegas, NV ยท On-site

$27 - $30/hr

As a painter, you will prep, prime, fill, paint and finish the builds of the Fabrication/router departments using materials commonly used in the automotive/sign painting industries. The merchandise ...

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Sign Painter information

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$23

$28

How much do sign painter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for sign painter in the United States is $23.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sign painter?

Sign painters are skilled artisans who design, create, and paint signs by hand for businesses, events, and various public or private spaces. They use techniques such as lettering, illustration, and decorative painting on surfaces like wood, glass, metal, and walls. While digital printing has become common, many people still appreciate the unique, handcrafted quality and craftsmanship that sign painters provide. Their work often involves both artistic talent and precise technical skills.

What does a sign painter do?

As a sign painter, you use a brush, paint, stencils, sprayers, and other equipment to help create custom signs for clients. Since you typically paint images or letters by hand, you often use several kinds of brushes and various colors to customize each sign according to specifications. You typically work in a workshop, using work orders, sketches, or blueprints to guide your painting. Other duties and responsibilities include preparing the surface of the sign before painting and adding laminate or other protection afterward. In this role, you may be asked to climb up to signs to paint or to repair existing signage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a sign painter?

To thrive as a Sign Painter, you need strong artistic ability, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of color theory, often supported by a portfolio or relevant training in graphic arts. Familiarity with design software (such as Adobe Illustrator), various paints, brushes, and lettering techniques, as well as safe use of ladders and scaffolding, is typically required. Creativity, patience, and effective communication with clients are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure that sign painters can create visually appealing, durable, and accurate signage that meets client needs and withstands environmental conditions.

What are the typical work environments and clients a sign painter can expect to work with?

Sign Painters often work both indoors and outdoors, creating signage for a variety of clients, including small businesses, large corporations, and local government agencies. The environments can range from workshops and studios to on-site locations, such as storefronts or construction sites. Collaboration is common with graphic designers, business owners, and project managers to ensure the finished sign meets client specifications and branding requirements. Flexibility and adaptability are key, as project scopes and working conditions can vary greatly.

What is the difference between Sign Painter vs Graphic Designer?

AspectSign PainterGraphic Designer
CredentialsTypically no formal certification, but apprenticeship or vocational training commonBachelor's degree in graphic design or related field often required
Work EnvironmentHands-on, physical work often outdoors or in workshopsOffice or digital workspace, primarily computer-based
Industry UsageUsed mainly in signage, advertising, and storefrontsUsed across marketing, branding, digital media, and print

Sign painters focus on creating physical signs through hand-painting or traditional methods, often working outdoors or in workshops. Graphic designers develop visual concepts primarily using digital tools for various media. While both roles involve visual communication, sign painters emphasize craftsmanship in physical signage, whereas graphic designers work mainly in digital environments for broader media applications.

What cities are hiring for Sign Painter jobs?

Cities with the most Sign Painter job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Sign Painter jobs?

The most popular types of Sign Painter jobs are:

What states have the most Sign Painter jobs?

States with the most job openings for Sign Painter jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Sign Painter jobs?

For Sign Painter jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Sign Painter job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $48,328 per year, or $23.2 per hour.

SIGN PAINTER

City of Chicago

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$48.16/hr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
SIGN PAINTER
Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Division of Sign Management
Number of Positions: 2
(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)
Starting Salary: $48.16/HOURLY
This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City's collective bargaining agreement with the SIGN PAINTERS - LOCAL 830 BARGAINING UNIT #25 (BU 25).
Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.
BID INSTRUCTIONS: Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en AND
1. Check the box on your profile titled "Currently employed by the City of Chicago"
2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled 'payee/employee number')
3. Select your correct bargaining unit
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION
Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 9/2/202 6
Under supervision, performs journey level sign painter work in the design, computer and/or hand layout, screen printing and hand lettering or vinyl copy of traffic and municipal signs including airport signage, fleet equipment and banners; and performs related duties as required
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
โ€ข Gathers and reviews requisitions and work orders to assess work required and to determine most appropriate preparation and application methods
โ€ข Ensures adequate supplies of tools, equipment and materials are available to complete sign painting assignments
โ€ข Cleans and prepares surfaces to ensure paint, stencils and/or vinyl materials will adhere properly
โ€ข Operates computers and computerized sign making equipment to layout lettering for traffic and municipal signs
โ€ข Uses free hand or measuring devices to paint letters, numbers and/or symbols and to apply vinyl graphics on signs and municipal equipment
โ€ข Creates stencils for silk screening work by designing and spacing lettering styles and patterns
โ€ข Creates silk screens to reproduce designs and shapes and applies onto signs and banners
โ€ข Pours paint into silk screen frame on screen printing press and operates press or dips paint rollers in paint and draws across stencils to transfer design to various surfaces in order to produce signs and banners
โ€ข Operates heavy duty heat and pressure sensitive applicator equipment to apply and compress reflective sheeting onto traffic signs
โ€ข Creates and applies vinyl graphics onto wooden, aluminum and metal sign blanks and banners
โ€ข Operates laminating machine for related sign painting projects and tasks
โ€ข Cleans trade equipment and work site after completion of sign painting assignments
โ€ข Prepares work activity reports
โ€ข May prepare art work and painting on large foam presentation boards
NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.
Location: 3458 S. Lawndale Ave
Chicago, IL 60623
Days: Monday - Friday
Hours: 7:30AM - 3:30PM
THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
โ€ข Successful completion of a U.S. Department of Labor registered Sign Painting apprenticeship training program and journeyman status, OR
โ€ข Successful completion of a company or industry sponsored apprenticeship training program as a Sign Painter, PLUS two (2) years of journey level experience as a Sign Painter, OR
โ€ข Six (6) years of journey level experience as a Sign Painter
Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications
โ€ข Some positions may require an OSHA 10 Card
โ€ข A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required
โ€ข Some positions may require an EPA Lead Abatement Certification
WORKING CONDITIONS
โ€ข Exposure to loud noise, fumes or dust
โ€ข Exposure to outdoor weather conditions
โ€ข May perform work using scaffolds and ladders
EQUIPMENT
โ€ข Standard office equipment (e.g., telephone, printer, photocopier, fax machine, calculator)
โ€ข Computers and peripheral equipment (e.g., personal computer, computer terminals, hand-held computer)
โ€ข Standard tools and equipment of the sign painting trade (e.g., laminator, silk screener, engraver, vinyl cutting tools, painters grip, taping knives, brushes, rollers, extension poles)
โ€ข Ladders, step stools and scaffolding
โ€ข Personal protective equipment (e.g., hard hat, shoes, glasses, gloves)
โ€ข Measuring tools (e.g., tape measure, ruler, calipers, measuring wheel)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
โ€ข Lifting (up to 50 pounds) is required
โ€ข Ability to sit, stand and walk for extended periods of time
โ€ข Ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with one's body, arms, and/or legs
โ€ข Ability to operate applicable hand tools, power tools, and equipment
NOTE: APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM CERTIFICATE(S), JOURNEYMAN CARD, RESUME AND A VALID STATE OF ILLINOIS DRIVER'S LICENSE MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF PROCESSING.
NOTE: To be considered for this position you must provide information about your educational background and your work experience. You must include job titles, dates of employment, and specific job duties. (If you are a current City employee, Acting Up cannot be considered.) If you fail to provide this information at the time you submit your application, it will be incomplete and you will not be considered for this position. There are three ways to provide the information: 1) you may attach a resume; 2) you may paste a resume; or 3) you can complete the online resume fields.
SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
This position does not require a test or interview. BIDDERS who successfully apply for the position, meet the minimum qualifications, and possess the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be hired in seniority order and according to C.B.A rules. External candidates who successfully apply for the position, meet the minimum qualifications, and possess the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be hired in lottery/random order.
Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:
โ€ข Previous experience in operating computers and computerized sign making equipment to layout lettering for traffic and municipal signs AND/OR to layout lettering for aircraft guidance signs meeting FAA standards.
โ€ข Previous experience in operating heavy duty heat and pressure sensitive applicator equipment to apply and compress reflective sheeting onto traffic signs
โ€ข An EPA Lead Abatement Certification
APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor
Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 9/2/2026