How to hire a sign fabricator

How to hire a sign fabricator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step sign fabricator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a sign fabricator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new sign fabricator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a sign fabricator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the sign fabricator you need to hire. Certain sign fabricator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A sign fabricator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, sign fabricators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents sign fabricator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Sign Fabricator	Description	Hourly rate
   Sign Fabricator	Assemblers and fabricators assemble finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make engines, computers, aircraft, ships, boats, toys, electronic devices, control panels, and more.	$12-20
   Warehouse Assembler	A warehouse assembler takes on several responsibilities. They are responsible for preparing work that needs to be accomplished by studying and following assembly instructions to put together parts... Show more	$12-17
   Fabrication Technician	Fabrication technicians are skilled employees who are responsible for using specialized equipment to assemble components for a variety of products or finished products. These technicians are required to perform inspections on the tools and mechanical equipment as well as provide maintenance and repair... Show more	$12-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Vinyl Application
   • Drill Press
   • Tig Welding
   • CNC
   • Hand Tools
   • Electrical Components
   • Aluminum MIG
   • Arc Welding
   • TIG
   • Graphic Design
   • Band Saws
   • Neon Signs
   • CAD

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Glass glazing/commercial aluminum window panel fabrication
   • Construct galvanize gates using the GMAW process.
   • Weld jacket sheets together utilizing GMAW process in compliance to AAR code.
   • Cut, weed and mask vinyl decals on both an Epson cut plotter and a Gerber foil printer.
   • Glass glazing/commercial aluminum window panel fabrication

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your sign fabricator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A sign fabricator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, sign fabricators' average salary in south carolina is 31% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level sign fabricators 40% less than senior-level sign fabricators.
   • Certifications. A sign fabricator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a sign fabricator's salary.

   Average sign fabricator salary

   $15.97hourly

   $33,220 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level sign fabricator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

4. Writing a sign fabricator job description

   A good sign fabricator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a sign fabricator job description:

   Sign fabricator job description example

   *THIS IS NOT AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION / SIGN FABRICATORS WITH _3+ YEARS ONLY_*
   
   \*Must have portfolio of your work and professional references
   
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
   *+ Do you take pride in your work?*
   
   *+ Do you **want to walk into a store or drive down the road and point out to your friends and family that you were part of the team that built THAT!?*
   
   *_+ _If that's the kind of fabricator you are, or aspire to be, Wakefield Sign Service might be the place for you!*
   
   *Wakefield Sign Service*, a manufacturer of custom signs for over 30 years, is looking for a fabricator to join the team at their College Station facility.
   
   Fabricators assemble and fabricate metal cabinets, structures, channel letters, bases, and/or other sign components.
   
   *+ Who We Are*
   
   _*What our team members say about Wakefield Sign Service: *_
   * Wakefield cares about our growth
   * We feel like we are part of a family!
   * It is a great environment
   * We never feel left out of the process
   * What we say matters to the company
   * Everyone is on the same page
   * We have direct access to leadership
   
   *+ Our Core Values*
   * Own it
   * Be Intentional
   * Excellent Quality
   * No Gossip
   * Communicate Fearlessly
   * Team Player
   
   *+ Your Day to Day Role*
   * Reviews plans and diagrams to ensure accuracy of cutting of materials to create sign parts
   * Plans, prepares, and uses materials to be cut in a matter to keep waste to a minimum
   * Operates metal cutting equipment to accurately cut materials to job specifications
   * Operates welding equipment to weld sign parts together
   * Implements and maintains quality control and safety during material handling, cutting, and welding
   * Sands, grinds, polishes, and cleans cut materials
   * Layout materials to be used for skinning/covering sign structure
   * Bends and shapes sign parts by hand or by using brakes according to job specifications
   * Drills, rivets, screws, or adheres sign parts together
   * Work with engineering staff to clarify information and obtain design changes as needed
   * Repair products by dismantling, straightening and reshaping.
   * Operates skid steer for moving and positioning materials and supplies
   * Maintains a safe working environment
   * Maintains a clean and orderly work area
   * Complete all Tasks, and To-Dos as assigned by your supervisor
   
   *+ Required*
   * Must have *3+ years* of sign fabrication
   * Ability to use basic hand tools, power tools, tape measure, grinders, and saws in a safe manner
   * Basic math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions
   * Ability to read and comprehend instructions
   * Ability to read a tape measure, down to the 1/16"
   * Requires good judgment, ability to work with others and perform other tasks as assigned
   * Ability to review drawings and ask appropriate questions when direction is needed
   * Strong attention to detail
   
   *+ Beneficial Skills (but not required)*
   * Welding experience (Steel / Aluminum)
   
   * Previous work with structural steel and sheet metal
   * HVLP painting experience
   
   *Company Benefits*
   * 50% medical paid for team member _(after 3 month qualifying period)_
   * PTO, Sick Pay, Holiday Pay
   
   Benefit Conditions:
   * Waiting period may apply
   * Only full-time employees eligible
   
   Typical end time:
   * 4PM
   
   Typical start time:
   * 7AM
   
   Work Remotely
   * No
   
   Benefit Conditions:
   * Waiting period may apply
   * Only full-time employees eligible
   
   Job Type: Full-time
   
   Pay: $28.00 - $32.00 per hour
   
   Benefits:
   * Employee discount
   * Health insurance
   * Paid time off
   Shift:
   * 8 hour shift
   
   Application Question(s):
   * Do you have at least (3) years of SIGN FABRICATION experience?
   
   License/Certification:
   * TX (Preferred)
   
   Work Location: One location

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right sign fabricator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with sign fabricators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit sign fabricators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your sign fabricator job on Zippia to find and recruit sign fabricator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit sign fabricators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new sign fabricator

   Once you've decided on a perfect sign fabricator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new sign fabricator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a sign fabricator?