GITNUXREPORT 2026

Sign Industry Statistics

The sign industry is a growing multibillion-dollar global market driven by digital transformation.

Alexander Schmidt

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

U.S. sign industry employed 450,000 workers directly and indirectly in 2022.

Statistic 2

Average sign shop employment 15.2 full-time workers per firm in 2023.

Statistic 3

U.S. sign manufacturing jobs 28,500 in 2021.

Statistic 4

62% of U.S. sign companies report labor shortages in 2023.

Statistic 5

Sign industry supports 1.2 million total jobs including supply chain in U.S.

Statistic 6

Average hourly wage for sign fabricators $24.50 in 2022.

Statistic 7

45% of sign workers have vocational training background.

Statistic 8

U.S. sign installation employment 65,000 in 2021.

Statistic 9

Turnover rate in sign industry 18.7% annually 2023.

Statistic 10

72% of sign firms hiring for skilled installers in 2023.

Statistic 11

Women represent 22% of U.S. sign industry workforce.

Statistic 12

Apprenticeship programs in sign industry grew 15% in 2022.

Statistic 13

Median age of sign workers 42 years in 2023.

Statistic 14

35% of sign shops report difficulty finding certified electricians.

Statistic 15

U.S. sign design roles employment 12,400 in 2022.

Statistic 16

Unionized sign workers 8% of total workforce.

Statistic 17

Entry-level sign maker salary $38,000 average annually.

Statistic 18

51,000 total direct sign fabrication jobs U.S. 2023.

Statistic 19

Remote work adoption in sign design 28% post-COVID.

Statistic 20

Overtime hours average 5.2 per week for installers.

Statistic 21

Diversity hiring initiatives in 41% of sign firms.

Statistic 22

Projected job growth 4.1% in sign manufacturing to 2030.

Statistic 23

Contractor sign installers 120,000 nationwide.

Statistic 24

Training hours per new hire 240 average.

Statistic 25

Unemployment rate in sign industry 3.8% in 2023.

Statistic 26

LED signage installations grew 25% requiring 10,000 new tech jobs.

Statistic 27

67% of sign owners are self-employed or small business.

Statistic 28

Gig economy sign workers 15% of installers via apps.

Statistic 29

Sign industry apprenticeship completion rate 78%.

Statistic 30

Global sign industry workforce 2.1 million in 2022.

Statistic 31

55% of U.S. sign firms offer health benefits to full-time.

Statistic 32

Digital signage software market grew 18% with 5,000 new developers.

Statistic 33

82% of sign industry jobs require high school diploma minimum.

Statistic 34

LED displays now 45% of new sign jobs.

Statistic 35

40% of sign companies use AI for job matching.

Statistic 36

U.S. sign industry labor productivity $650,000 per worker.

Statistic 37

DOOH signage requires 20% more software engineers.

Statistic 38

Sign industry veteran employment 12%.

Statistic 39

29% growth in sign technician certifications 2022-2023.

Statistic 40

Average sign project manager salary $85,200.

Statistic 41

U.S. Southeast holds 28% of sign companies.

Statistic 42

California leads with 12.5% of U.S. sign revenue.

Statistic 43

Texas sign industry 9.8% market share nationally.

Statistic 44

Europe sign market Germany 22% regional share.

Statistic 45

Asia-Pacific China dominates 45% global production.

Statistic 46

Florida 7.2% U.S. sign firms concentration.

Statistic 47

Midwest U.S. 18% of fabrication capacity.

Statistic 48

UK signage market London 35% national revenue.

Statistic 49

India sign exports from Mumbai region 60%.

Statistic 50

Northeast U.S. New York 8.4% sign revenue.

Statistic 51

Canada Ontario 42% national sign market.

Statistic 52

Australia Sydney 25% sign installations.

Statistic 53

Brazil Sao Paulo 55% Latin America signs.

Statistic 54

U.S. West Coast 22% digital signage deployments.

Statistic 55

France Paris 40% European fashion signage.

Statistic 56

Mexico Mexico City 65% national production.

Statistic 57

Pacific Northwest U.S. 5.1% eco-sign focus.

Statistic 58

Japan Tokyo 70% DOOH market share.

Statistic 59

U.S. South 31% outdoor sign permits.

Statistic 60

Italy Milan 28% luxury signage hub.

Statistic 61

South Korea Seoul 82% LED exports origin.

Statistic 62

U.S. Great Lakes 14% metal sign fab.

Statistic 63

Spain Barcelona 19% tourism signs.

Statistic 64

UAE Dubai 90% Middle East signage revenue.

Statistic 65

Rocky Mountains U.S. 3.8% custom signs.

Statistic 66

Netherlands Amsterdam 55% smart city signs.

Statistic 67

U.S. Gulf Coast 6.5% industrial signs.

Statistic 68

Singapore 100% urban signage density leader.

Statistic 69

Plains U.S. 11% agricultural signage.

Statistic 70

Sweden Stockholm 33% Nordic market.

Statistic 71

The U.S. sign industry generated $29.4 billion in revenue in 2022.

Statistic 72

Global signage market size reached $42.7 billion in 2023.

Statistic 73

U.S. electrical sign manufacturing revenue was $5.2 billion in 2021.

Statistic 74

Digital signage market valued at $23.5 billion globally in 2022.

Statistic 75

U.S. sign fabrication industry output $16.8 billion in 2020.

Statistic 76

LED signage market size $12.4 billion worldwide in 2023.

Statistic 77

North American sign market projected to grow to $15.2 billion by 2028.

Statistic 78

U.S. custom sign shops revenue averaged $1.2 million per firm in 2022.

Statistic 79

Global outdoor advertising market including signs $68.1 billion in 2023.

Statistic 80

Fabricated metal sign plate work revenue $4.1 billion in U.S. 2021.

Statistic 81

Digital signage hardware market $8.9 billion globally 2022.

Statistic 82

U.S. sign industry supports $10.3 billion in GDP contribution.

Statistic 83

Asia-Pacific signage market $18.7 billion in 2023.

Statistic 84

U.S. neon and incandescent sign revenue $1.8 billion 2021.

Statistic 85

Global DOOH signage market $4.5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 86

European sign market size €12.6 billion in 2022.

Statistic 87

U.S. sign industry average annual growth 3.2% from 2018-2023.

Statistic 88

Retail signage submarket $6.4 billion globally 2023.

Statistic 89

U.S. plastic sign manufacturing revenue $2.9 billion 2022.

Statistic 90

Global signage market CAGR 7.8% projected to 2030.

Statistic 91

U.S. billboard and sign rental revenue $3.7 billion 2021.

Statistic 92

Transportation signage market $5.1 billion worldwide 2023.

Statistic 93

U.S. sign industry export value $450 million in 2022.

Statistic 94

Healthcare signage segment $2.2 billion globally 2022.

Statistic 95

U.S. sign market share by fabrication 65% custom in 2023.

Statistic 96

Global 3D signage market $1.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 97

U.S. commercial sign revenue $22.1 billion 2022.

Statistic 98

Hospitality signage market $3.4 billion globally 2023.

Statistic 99

U.S. sign industry import value $320 million 2021.

Statistic 100

Projected U.S. sign revenue $32.5 billion by 2027.

Statistic 101

64% of LED sign market uses programmable tech.

Statistic 102

Digital signage adoption rate 72% among retailers in 2023.

Statistic 103

AI integration in sign design software used by 38% of firms.

Statistic 104

4K resolution standard in 55% of new digital signs.

Statistic 105

IoT-enabled signs 28% of installations in smart cities.

Statistic 106

UV printing technology dominates 68% of large format signs.

Statistic 107

Holographic displays in signage grew 40% in 2023.

Statistic 108

Cloud-based CMS for digital signs 82% market share.

Statistic 109

5G connectivity boosts DOOH signs by 35% efficiency.

Statistic 110

Sustainable LED tech reduces energy 50% in new signs.

Statistic 111

AR-enhanced signage apps downloaded 12 million times.

Statistic 112

Robotic sign fabrication arms in 22% of large shops.

Statistic 113

Touchscreen interactive signs 19% of indoor market.

Statistic 114

NFC chips in 15% of retail signs for engagement.

Statistic 115

Pixel pitch under 2.5mm in 40% premium LED walls.

Statistic 116

Biometric sign content personalization 8% adoption.

Statistic 117

360-degree video walls in 12% corporate lobbies.

Statistic 118

Eco-friendly inks 75% biodegradable in vinyl signs.

Statistic 119

Blockchain for DOOH ad verification 5% usage.

Statistic 120

Voice-activated digital signs 11% in hospitality.

Statistic 121

Flexible OLED signage prototypes 3% market entry.

Statistic 122

Machine learning optimizes sign brightness 62% energy save.

Statistic 123

QR code integration 88% of new static signs.

Statistic 124

Micro-LED signs cost down 30% in 2023 production.

Statistic 125

Solar-powered signs 14% off-grid installations.

Statistic 126

8K digital signage 7% high-end deployments.

Statistic 127

Predictive maintenance AI in 25% DOOH networks.

Statistic 128

Transparent LCD signs 9% retail window use.

Statistic 129

3D printing for custom signs 32% small shops.

Statistic 130

Edge computing reduces latency 40% in signs.

Statistic 131

Gesture control interfaces 6% museum signage.

Statistic 132

Nanotechnology coatings repel dirt 95% effectiveness.

Statistic 133

52% of consumers notice digital signs in stores.

Statistic 134

DOOH ad spend projected to $25B globally by 2028.

Statistic 135

Sustainability drives 68% sign material choices.

Statistic 136

Programmatic DOOH buying 45% of transactions.

Statistic 137

Indoor digital signs engagement 3x static signs.

Statistic 138

75% retailers plan digital signage expansion.

Statistic 139

Vinyl wraps market CAGR 6.5% to 2030.

Statistic 140

Contactless QR signs up 120% post-pandemic.

Statistic 141

61% prefer LED over neon for energy reasons.

Statistic 142

Transit signage digitalization 55% complete by 2025.

Statistic 143

Personalized content boosts recall 40%.

Statistic 144

48% businesses invest in wayfinding signs.

Statistic 145

Global DOOH growth 12.7% CAGR forecast.

Statistic 146

Eco-materials in 79% new sign bids.

Statistic 147

Mobile integration with signs 67% consumer use.

Statistic 148

Monument signs decline 15% favor of digital.

Statistic 149

73% airports upgrading to interactive signs.

Statistic 150

AI content generation for signs 22% adoption forecast.

Statistic 151

Vehicle wraps 28% annual growth segment.

Statistic 152

59% consumers trust signs more than social ads.

Statistic 153

Healthcare digital signs projected $4B by 2027.

Statistic 154

Backlit signs efficiency up 30% new LEDs.

Statistic 155

44% event signage going fully digital.

Statistic 156

Real-time data signs 35% transportation use.

Statistic 157

81% millennials engage with digital signs.

Statistic 158

Regulatory compliance digital tools 50% adoption.

Statistic 159

Projection mapping signs 18% entertainment growth.

Statistic 160

66% prefer illuminated signs for visibility.

Statistic 161

E-sports venues 90% LED signage saturation.

Statistic 162

Modular sign systems 42% cost savings trend.

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With eye-catching statistics like $42.7 billion in global revenue, the sign industry is a vibrant and booming powerhouse shaping how businesses connect with their customers.

Key Takeaways

  • The U.S. sign industry generated $29.4 billion in revenue in 2022.
  • Global signage market size reached $42.7 billion in 2023.
  • U.S. electrical sign manufacturing revenue was $5.2 billion in 2021.
  • U.S. sign industry employed 450,000 workers directly and indirectly in 2022.
  • Average sign shop employment 15.2 full-time workers per firm in 2023.
  • U.S. sign manufacturing jobs 28,500 in 2021.
  • 64% of LED sign market uses programmable tech.
  • Digital signage adoption rate 72% among retailers in 2023.
  • AI integration in sign design software used by 38% of firms.
  • U.S. Southeast holds 28% of sign companies.
  • California leads with 12.5% of U.S. sign revenue.
  • Texas sign industry 9.8% market share nationally.
  • 52% of consumers notice digital signs in stores.
  • DOOH ad spend projected to $25B globally by 2028.
  • Sustainability drives 68% sign material choices.

The sign industry is a growing multibillion-dollar global market driven by digital transformation.

Employment & Labor

  • U.S. sign industry employed 450,000 workers directly and indirectly in 2022.
  • Average sign shop employment 15.2 full-time workers per firm in 2023.
  • U.S. sign manufacturing jobs 28,500 in 2021.
  • 62% of U.S. sign companies report labor shortages in 2023.
  • Sign industry supports 1.2 million total jobs including supply chain in U.S.
  • Average hourly wage for sign fabricators $24.50 in 2022.
  • 45% of sign workers have vocational training background.
  • U.S. sign installation employment 65,000 in 2021.
  • Turnover rate in sign industry 18.7% annually 2023.
  • 72% of sign firms hiring for skilled installers in 2023.
  • Women represent 22% of U.S. sign industry workforce.
  • Apprenticeship programs in sign industry grew 15% in 2022.
  • Median age of sign workers 42 years in 2023.
  • 35% of sign shops report difficulty finding certified electricians.
  • U.S. sign design roles employment 12,400 in 2022.
  • Unionized sign workers 8% of total workforce.
  • Entry-level sign maker salary $38,000 average annually.
  • 51,000 total direct sign fabrication jobs U.S. 2023.
  • Remote work adoption in sign design 28% post-COVID.
  • Overtime hours average 5.2 per week for installers.
  • Diversity hiring initiatives in 41% of sign firms.
  • Projected job growth 4.1% in sign manufacturing to 2030.
  • Contractor sign installers 120,000 nationwide.
  • Training hours per new hire 240 average.
  • Unemployment rate in sign industry 3.8% in 2023.
  • LED signage installations grew 25% requiring 10,000 new tech jobs.
  • 67% of sign owners are self-employed or small business.
  • Gig economy sign workers 15% of installers via apps.
  • Sign industry apprenticeship completion rate 78%.
  • Global sign industry workforce 2.1 million in 2022.
  • 55% of U.S. sign firms offer health benefits to full-time.
  • Digital signage software market grew 18% with 5,000 new developers.
  • 82% of sign industry jobs require high school diploma minimum.
  • LED displays now 45% of new sign jobs.
  • 40% of sign companies use AI for job matching.
  • U.S. sign industry labor productivity $650,000 per worker.
  • DOOH signage requires 20% more software engineers.
  • Sign industry veteran employment 12%.
  • 29% growth in sign technician certifications 2022-2023.
  • Average sign project manager salary $85,200.

Employment & Labor Interpretation

The sign industry is a surprisingly vast economic engine, currently running hot with demand but sputtering from a labor shortage that has over half its shops desperately hiring, even as they pay decent wages and expand apprenticeships to attract the next generation of talent needed to keep America visually caffeinated.

Geographic Distribution

  • U.S. Southeast holds 28% of sign companies.
  • California leads with 12.5% of U.S. sign revenue.
  • Texas sign industry 9.8% market share nationally.
  • Europe sign market Germany 22% regional share.
  • Asia-Pacific China dominates 45% global production.
  • Florida 7.2% U.S. sign firms concentration.
  • Midwest U.S. 18% of fabrication capacity.
  • UK signage market London 35% national revenue.
  • India sign exports from Mumbai region 60%.
  • Northeast U.S. New York 8.4% sign revenue.
  • Canada Ontario 42% national sign market.
  • Australia Sydney 25% sign installations.
  • Brazil Sao Paulo 55% Latin America signs.
  • U.S. West Coast 22% digital signage deployments.
  • France Paris 40% European fashion signage.
  • Mexico Mexico City 65% national production.
  • Pacific Northwest U.S. 5.1% eco-sign focus.
  • Japan Tokyo 70% DOOH market share.
  • U.S. South 31% outdoor sign permits.
  • Italy Milan 28% luxury signage hub.
  • South Korea Seoul 82% LED exports origin.
  • U.S. Great Lakes 14% metal sign fab.
  • Spain Barcelona 19% tourism signs.
  • UAE Dubai 90% Middle East signage revenue.
  • Rocky Mountains U.S. 3.8% custom signs.
  • Netherlands Amsterdam 55% smart city signs.
  • U.S. Gulf Coast 6.5% industrial signs.
  • Singapore 100% urban signage density leader.
  • Plains U.S. 11% agricultural signage.
  • Sweden Stockholm 33% Nordic market.

Geographic Distribution Interpretation

This global map of the sign industry reveals a universal, if not cliché, truth: the neon lights always shine brightest over the biggest piles of money and people, from California's revenue to China's factories to London's wallets, proving that signs, like wealth, are relentlessly attracted to economic mass and flash.

Market Size & Revenue

  • The U.S. sign industry generated $29.4 billion in revenue in 2022.
  • Global signage market size reached $42.7 billion in 2023.
  • U.S. electrical sign manufacturing revenue was $5.2 billion in 2021.
  • Digital signage market valued at $23.5 billion globally in 2022.
  • U.S. sign fabrication industry output $16.8 billion in 2020.
  • LED signage market size $12.4 billion worldwide in 2023.
  • North American sign market projected to grow to $15.2 billion by 2028.
  • U.S. custom sign shops revenue averaged $1.2 million per firm in 2022.
  • Global outdoor advertising market including signs $68.1 billion in 2023.
  • Fabricated metal sign plate work revenue $4.1 billion in U.S. 2021.
  • Digital signage hardware market $8.9 billion globally 2022.
  • U.S. sign industry supports $10.3 billion in GDP contribution.
  • Asia-Pacific signage market $18.7 billion in 2023.
  • U.S. neon and incandescent sign revenue $1.8 billion 2021.
  • Global DOOH signage market $4.5 billion in 2022.
  • European sign market size €12.6 billion in 2022.
  • U.S. sign industry average annual growth 3.2% from 2018-2023.
  • Retail signage submarket $6.4 billion globally 2023.
  • U.S. plastic sign manufacturing revenue $2.9 billion 2022.
  • Global signage market CAGR 7.8% projected to 2030.
  • U.S. billboard and sign rental revenue $3.7 billion 2021.
  • Transportation signage market $5.1 billion worldwide 2023.
  • U.S. sign industry export value $450 million in 2022.
  • Healthcare signage segment $2.2 billion globally 2022.
  • U.S. sign market share by fabrication 65% custom in 2023.
  • Global 3D signage market $1.8 billion in 2023.
  • U.S. commercial sign revenue $22.1 billion 2022.
  • Hospitality signage market $3.4 billion globally 2023.
  • U.S. sign industry import value $320 million 2021.
  • Projected U.S. sign revenue $32.5 billion by 2027.

Market Size & Revenue Interpretation

The global urge to announce "We're Open!" is a $42.7 billion chorus, proving that while the medium may shift from neon to digital screens, the human impulse to signal our existence—and sell things—remains a blindingly bright economic force.

Technological Advancements

  • 64% of LED sign market uses programmable tech.
  • Digital signage adoption rate 72% among retailers in 2023.
  • AI integration in sign design software used by 38% of firms.
  • 4K resolution standard in 55% of new digital signs.
  • IoT-enabled signs 28% of installations in smart cities.
  • UV printing technology dominates 68% of large format signs.
  • Holographic displays in signage grew 40% in 2023.
  • Cloud-based CMS for digital signs 82% market share.
  • 5G connectivity boosts DOOH signs by 35% efficiency.
  • Sustainable LED tech reduces energy 50% in new signs.
  • AR-enhanced signage apps downloaded 12 million times.
  • Robotic sign fabrication arms in 22% of large shops.
  • Touchscreen interactive signs 19% of indoor market.
  • NFC chips in 15% of retail signs for engagement.
  • Pixel pitch under 2.5mm in 40% premium LED walls.
  • Biometric sign content personalization 8% adoption.
  • 360-degree video walls in 12% corporate lobbies.
  • Eco-friendly inks 75% biodegradable in vinyl signs.
  • Blockchain for DOOH ad verification 5% usage.
  • Voice-activated digital signs 11% in hospitality.
  • Flexible OLED signage prototypes 3% market entry.
  • Machine learning optimizes sign brightness 62% energy save.
  • QR code integration 88% of new static signs.
  • Micro-LED signs cost down 30% in 2023 production.
  • Solar-powered signs 14% off-grid installations.
  • 8K digital signage 7% high-end deployments.
  • Predictive maintenance AI in 25% DOOH networks.
  • Transparent LCD signs 9% retail window use.
  • 3D printing for custom signs 32% small shops.
  • Edge computing reduces latency 40% in signs.
  • Gesture control interfaces 6% museum signage.
  • Nanotechnology coatings repel dirt 95% effectiveness.

Technological Advancements Interpretation

The sign industry has quietly undergone a digital revolution where nearly three-quarters of retailers now use digital displays, but the true story is in the details: while robots fabricate signs and AI tweaks their brightness for efficiency, the humble QR code on a static sign still quietly dominates customer engagement.

Trends & Forecasts

  • 52% of consumers notice digital signs in stores.
  • DOOH ad spend projected to $25B globally by 2028.
  • Sustainability drives 68% sign material choices.
  • Programmatic DOOH buying 45% of transactions.
  • Indoor digital signs engagement 3x static signs.
  • 75% retailers plan digital signage expansion.
  • Vinyl wraps market CAGR 6.5% to 2030.
  • Contactless QR signs up 120% post-pandemic.
  • 61% prefer LED over neon for energy reasons.
  • Transit signage digitalization 55% complete by 2025.
  • Personalized content boosts recall 40%.
  • 48% businesses invest in wayfinding signs.
  • Global DOOH growth 12.7% CAGR forecast.
  • Eco-materials in 79% new sign bids.
  • Mobile integration with signs 67% consumer use.
  • Monument signs decline 15% favor of digital.
  • 73% airports upgrading to interactive signs.
  • AI content generation for signs 22% adoption forecast.
  • Vehicle wraps 28% annual growth segment.
  • 59% consumers trust signs more than social ads.
  • Healthcare digital signs projected $4B by 2027.
  • Backlit signs efficiency up 30% new LEDs.
  • 44% event signage going fully digital.
  • Real-time data signs 35% transportation use.
  • 81% millennials engage with digital signs.
  • Regulatory compliance digital tools 50% adoption.
  • Projection mapping signs 18% entertainment growth.
  • 66% prefer illuminated signs for visibility.
  • E-sports venues 90% LED signage saturation.
  • Modular sign systems 42% cost savings trend.

Trends & Forecasts Interpretation

While digital signs have become nearly impossible to ignore for most shoppers, their rapid and eco-conscious evolution is quietly transforming how we navigate and trust the world around us.

Sources & References