Sign Specialist Electrician

Sign specialist electricians install, maintain, repair, and upgrade the outdoor billboard lighting and electrical signs.

They work with both building-mounted and stand-alone signs, wiring them up for lighting.

Also, they handle more advanced electronic signs, such as those used at airports, on roadways, and at road work sites.

To know more about the work of sign specialist electricians, read the information below.

The Work of a Sign Specialist Electrician

Sign specialist electricians work with wiring designed to withstand extreme weather and wind for years without maintenance.

Today, they use long-life LED bulbs more often as these can last for 50,000 hours before needing replacement.

Also, they install and maintain street lights and other outside overhead forms of lighting.

Their maintenance routine includes changing bulbs and cleaning covers.

Sometimes, they have to work…

• In hard-to-get locations and in any weather conditions
• Overnight to put and set up the signs to run during business hours

Because they often work on tall tower signs, they usually know how to operate cranes, bucket trucks, and lifts.

Some signs are installed at hundreds of feet in height and need to be accessed by a ladder.

This work is physically demanding since it involves a lot of lifting and climbing.

That’s why you should know how to work safely at heights.

Electrical Codes and Restrictions

Sign specialist electricians should be familiar with and adhere to electrical codes for sign installations.

Article 600 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) governs the installation of equipment, wiring, and conductors for outdoor electrical signs.

It includes topics such as:

• Equipment marking and labeling
• Power disconnect accessibility and marking
• Grounding and bonding protection from lightning
• Minimum distances between elements

In addition, they should be aware of local codes specific to the industry or cover outdoor advertising restrictions.

For instance, the Department of Transportation outlines the framework for restricting certain types and sizes of signs within 600 feet of interstates.

However, local and state authorities sometimes enable stricter rules on locations and sizes of signs.

So they should know these restrictions and consider them while getting permission for the installation or during the installation itself.

Also, they are restricted in the systems they can deal with regarding interconnections and voltage.

For example, in Florida, sign specialist electricians…

• Can’t work on systems exceeding 250 volts
• Allowed to work only with the primary electrical service to the site
• Exception: when a billboard isn’t attached to another structure and has a load below 25 kilowatts

Becoming a Sign Specialist Electrician

The licensing requirements for sign specialists vary by jurisdiction (state and local levels).

Typically, the licensing process involves three levels: apprentice, journeyman, and master electrician.

• Apprentice

Most jurisdictions will require that you register with the State instead of a license before starting an apprenticeship.

During the apprenticeship program, you’ll work under the supervision of licensed electricians for two to four years.

The program comprises classroom training and real-world on-the-job training.

There are also specialized courses in safety training and high-angle rescue for working at heights.

Apprenticeships can be administered by…

• • Private companies dealing with the installation and servicing of signs
  • Local unions or joint committees, including providers of electrical education and local unions (e.g., Electrical Training ALLIANCE local chapters)

You can increase your chances of getting into an apprenticeship by enrolling at a trade school or community college.

However, most schools don’t offer certificates or degrees specific to sign specialist electricians.

But through their general electrician education associate’s programs, you can get into the sign electrical field.

• Journeyman

Some jurisdictions issue general or commercial electrician licenses which cover the electrical sign work.

Others, however, offer electrical sign specialist licenses with different requirements.

For example, in Oregon, apprentice sign specialists should complete the following:

• • 84 to 144 hours of classroom training per year
  • 8000 hours total of on-the-job training
  • Successfully pass the journeyman electrician licensure exam

Only then can you become a journeyman.

• Master

Most jurisdictions will require the following for you to become a master electrician:

• • At least two to four years of journeyman experience
  • Successfully pass the master electrician licensure exam

Afterward, you can obtain the license, allowing you to…

• • Perform sign electrical work with near-total autonomy
  • Qualify for an independent electrical contractor’s license

Salary and Job Outlook

Most sign specialist electricians work in privately-owned companies that provide the installation and repair of electric signage.

Meanwhile, others receive positions at local and state government agencies.

For example, at the transportation departments responsible for installing and maintaining highway and street signs.

The pay for both is usually in the same range, but the job security and benefits are better in government agencies.

Regardless, the salary will mostly depend on the location.

In the following examples taken from the listings of August 2016, you can see the salary range.

• Sign Installer in Minneapolis-St. Paul – $25/hour
• Sign Technician Helper in South Carolina – $10/hour
• Journeyman Sign Installer in Colorado – $22 to $28/hour
• Electrical Sign Maintenance Technician in Connecticut – $17 to $22/hour
• Highway Signal Electrician in Minnesota – $53,014 to $61,429/year

This page is also available in Spanish.