Sign maker vs steel fabricator

The differences between sign makers and steel fabricators 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 $32,654 average annual salary of a steel fabricator.

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

Sign maker vs steel fabricator overview

	Sign Maker	Steel Fabricator
Yearly salary	$36,308	$32,654
Hourly rate	$17.46	$15.70
Growth rate	7%	2%
Number of jobs	8,783	3,063
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Sign maker vs steel fabricator salary

Sign makers and steel fabricators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Sign Maker	Steel Fabricator
Average salary	$36,308	$32,654
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $50,000	Between $24,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between sign maker and steel fabricator education

There are a few differences between a sign maker and a steel fabricator in terms of educational background:

	Sign Maker	Steel Fabricator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Graphic Design	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Sign maker vs steel fabricator demographics

Here are the differences between sign makers' and steel fabricators' demographics:

	Sign Maker	Steel Fabricator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%	Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8%
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, 12.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between sign maker and steel fabricator 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.

Steel fabricator example responsibilities.

Achieve welding certifications in pipe, structural steel, MIG, TIG and by the state of Maryland.
Programme and operate CNC press brake as necessary.
Weld and cut steel using MIG/ARC welders and cutting torches.
Work with various CNC machines, metal saws, drill presses and punches, press break, and forklift certify.
Weld, tack, and fit uprights that go on mods, fab and repair any projects using FCAW welding techniques.
Assemble fiberglass aircraft louvers in accordance with standard operating procedures while adhering to applicable safety regulations.

Sign maker vs steel fabricator skills

Common sign maker skills

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

Common steel fabricator skills

MIG, 11%
Tape Measure, 10%
Hand Tools, 10%
Stainless Steel, 7%
Steel Fabrication, 6%
Aluminum, 5%