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Sign installer vs apprentice

The differences between sign installers and apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a sign installer and an apprentice. Additionally, a sign installer has an average salary of $37,396, which is higher than the $37,107 average annual salary of an apprentice.

The top three skills for a sign installer include CDL, hand tools and ladders. The most important skills for an apprentice are PET, customer service, and basic math.

Sign installer vs apprentice overview

Sign InstallerApprentice
Yearly salary$37,396$37,107
Hourly rate$17.98$17.84
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs17,56313,014
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a sign installer do?

A sign installer is mainly responsible for repairing the signs in commercial, industrials settings. They prepare poles, buildings, monuments, or other structures. They ensure the effective measurement and installation of signs. They also perform maintenance and repairs.

What does an apprentice do?

An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures. An apprentice must be detail-oriented, fast-learner, and enthusiastic. An apprentice should also know how to accept constructive criticisms and feedback to improve performance and skill development.

Sign installer vs apprentice salary

Sign installers and apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sign InstallerApprentice
Average salary$37,396$37,107
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $54,000Between $26,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CitySaint Cloud, MNWorcester, MA
Highest paying stateVermontAlaska
Best paying companyArvigMid-South Management
Best paying industryManufacturingTransportation

Differences between sign installer and apprentice education

There are a few differences between a sign installer and an apprentice in terms of educational background:

Sign InstallerApprentice
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Sign installer vs apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between sign installers' and apprentices' demographics:

Sign InstallerApprentice
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 94.8% Female, 5.2%Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between sign installer and apprentice duties and responsibilities

Sign installer example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • torch cutting, CDL boom truck, crane truck, flatb driver.
  • Fabricate channel letters with cnc machinery, and basic hand tools.
  • change ballast in the light fixtures and change bulbs.
  • Identify and troubleshoot any unsafe field conditions observe on billboard structures.
  • Wire various types of electrical signs from neon to ballast signs.
  • Show more

Apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Perform services include but not limit to plumbing, roofing, siding, painting, tiling, and electrical work.
  • Replace asphalt shingles, and other cold application roofs, and built-up roofs and apply caulking materials and membrane waterproofing.
  • Experience with EPDM & TPO single-ply membrane, fully adhere and mechanically fasten.
  • Assist journeyman with bending pipe (EMT, PVC & rigid), pulling and installing wire, and terminating panels
  • Locate and repair leaks in asphalt, asbestos, and slate shingles, tile and built-up roofs and single-ply membranes.
  • Install and repair electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, conduit systems, fixtures, wall sockets, plugs and switches.
  • Show more

Sign installer vs apprentice skills

Common sign installer skills
  • CDL, 23%
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Bucket Truck, 7%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Vinyl Graphics, 5%
Common apprentice skills
  • PET, 43%
  • Customer Service, 28%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Apprenticeship, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 3%
  • CPR, 1%

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