Sign maker vs fabrication operator

The differences between sign makers and fabrication operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sign maker has an average salary of $36,308, which is higher than the $31,772 average annual salary of a fabrication operator.

The top three skills for a sign maker include graphic design, vinyl graphics and aluminum. The most important skills for a fabrication operator are tape measure, hand tools, and calipers.

Sign maker vs fabrication operator overview

	Sign Maker	Fabrication Operator
Yearly salary	$36,308	$31,772
Hourly rate	$17.46	$15.28
Growth rate	7%	-5%
Number of jobs	8,783	56,825
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Sign maker vs fabrication operator salary

Sign makers and fabrication operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Sign Maker	Fabrication Operator
Average salary	$36,308	$31,772
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $50,000	Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Mankato, MN
Highest paying state	-	North Dakota
Best paying company	-	Sanmina
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between sign maker and fabrication operator education

There are a few differences between a sign maker and a fabrication operator in terms of educational background:

	Sign Maker	Fabrication Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Graphic Design	Business
Most common college	-	-

Sign maker vs fabrication operator demographics

Here are the differences between sign makers' and fabrication operators' demographics:

	Sign Maker	Fabrication Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%	Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 9.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between sign maker and fabrication operator duties and responsibilities

Sign maker example responsibilities.

Demonstrate proper use and application of PPE.
Apply basic and finish coats to sign blanks.
Print graphics on corrugate plastic, PVC, foam board, etc.
Keep record of number of boxes and labels used for each product run.
Pick, pack, and receive materials for customer orders using RF scanner and operator headset
Apply primers and sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare aluminum and steel, for finish coats.

Fabrication operator example responsibilities.

Coordinate with engineers and supervisor for setting up Amada press brake, forming sheet metal chassis and parts for productions.
Operate any coil fabrication machine producing aluminum coils.
Monitor, control and operate computerized wafer equipment for the inspection, etching or alignment of integrate circuits.
Perform duties in accordance with GMP principles.
Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.

Sign maker vs fabrication operator skills

Common sign maker skills

Graphic Design, 16%
Vinyl Graphics, 14%
Aluminum, 13%
Vehicle Graphics, 5%
Custom Signage, 5%
Install Signage, 4%

Common fabrication operator skills

Tape Measure, 12%
Hand Tools, 9%
Calipers, 7%
Grinders, 6%
MIG, 5%
Customer Satisfaction, 4%