Painters, Construction and Maintenance
SOC Code: 47-2141.00
Construction & ExtractionPainters in Construction and Maintenance paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. With a median salary of $48,660, these skilled tradespeople combine technical knowledge of surface preparation, coating systems, and color application with the physical ability to work on ladders, scaffolding, and in various weather conditions. The trade offers strong demand, entrepreneurial potential, and a tangible sense of accomplishment with every completed project.
Salary Overview
Median
$48,660
25th Percentile
$42,510
75th Percentile
$60,270
90th Percentile
$76,550
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+3.8%
New Openings
28,100
Outlook
As fast as average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Fill cracks, holes, or joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.
- Erect scaffolding or swing gates, or set up ladders, to work above ground level.
- Use special finishing techniques such as sponging, ragging, layering, or faux finishing.
- Mix and match colors of paint, stain, or varnish with oil or thinning and drying additives to obtain desired colors and consistencies.
- Cover surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.
- Smooth surfaces, using sandpaper, scrapers, brushes, steel wool, or sanding machines.
- Calculate amounts of required materials and estimate costs, based on surface measurements or work orders.
- Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors or homeowners to determine work requirements.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: High School Diploma
Related Careers
Top Career Pivot Targets
View all 7 →Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Painters, Construction and Maintenance.
A Day in the Life
A typical day starts with reviewing job specifications, gathering materials, and traveling to the work site. Before any paint is applied, significant time is spent on surface preparation — scraping old paint, sanding, patching holes, caulking gaps, and applying primer. Painters carefully mask off trim, windows, and fixtures to create clean lines, then mix and match paint colors to meet client specifications. Application involves using brushes for detail work, rollers for large flat surfaces, and spray equipment for fences, cabinets, or exterior surfaces. Throughout the day, painters monitor coating thickness, check for drips or missed spots, and ensure even coverage. Cleanup at the end of each day includes washing brushes, sealing paint containers, and removing masking materials. On larger commercial or industrial projects, painters coordinate with other trades to sequence work efficiently. Weather monitoring is essential for exterior projects, as temperature and humidity affect paint adhesion and drying times.
Work Environment
Construction painters work both indoors and outdoors, with conditions varying dramatically by project type and season. Heights are a regular part of the job, with painters working on ladders, scaffolding, boom lifts, and swing stages on multi-story buildings. Physical demands include climbing, bending, reaching overhead, and standing for extended periods while holding spray equipment or rollers. Exposure to paint fumes, solvents, and dust requires respiratory protection and adequate ventilation. Outdoor work is subject to weather delays, extreme temperatures, and seasonal slowdowns in colder climates. Large commercial and industrial projects may require shift work or overtime to meet construction deadlines. The work is often solitary or in small crews, requiring self-motivation and the ability to maintain quality without constant supervision. Travel between job sites is common, and some industrial painting projects require extended stays away from home.
Career Path & Advancement
Many painters enter the trade through apprenticeship programs lasting three to four years, combining paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Others start as painter's helpers, learning the trade informally from experienced journeymen. High school courses in math, shop, and blueprint reading provide useful foundation knowledge. Union apprenticeships through the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades offer structured training and career support. After completing an apprenticeship, journey-level painters can work independently and command higher wages. Experienced painters may pursue specialty certifications in industrial coatings, lead paint abatement, or decorative finishes. Many painters eventually start their own painting businesses, transitioning from tradesperson to contractor. Others advance into estimating, project management, or painting inspection roles on large commercial and industrial projects.
Specializations
Residential painters focus on interior and exterior home painting, often working directly with homeowners on color selection and finish preferences. Commercial painters handle large-scale projects including office buildings, retail spaces, and institutional facilities requiring efficient coverage of extensive wall areas. Industrial painters apply specialized protective coatings to bridges, tanks, pipelines, and manufacturing equipment, often involving complex coating systems. Decorative painters create faux finishes, murals, and textured wall treatments for high-end residential and hospitality clients. Lead paint abatement specialists are certified to safely remove and encapsulate lead-based paint in older buildings. Marine painters apply anti-corrosion and anti-fouling coatings to ships, boats, and waterfront structures. Auto body and fleet painters specialize in spray-finishing vehicles, though this is typically a separate trade. Line striping painters mark roads, parking lots, and athletic fields using specialized equipment and traffic-rated paints.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Strong entrepreneurial potential with relatively low startup costs for a painting business
- ✓Consistent demand for painting services across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors
- ✓Visible, satisfying results at the end of each project provide a sense of accomplishment
- ✓Multiple entry pathways including apprenticeships, helper positions, and self-teaching
- ✓Specialty niches like decorative painting and industrial coatings command premium rates
- ✓Flexible scheduling potential for self-employed painters who control their project load
- ✓Median salary of $48,660 with potential for significantly higher earnings as a contractor
Challenges
- ✗Physically demanding work involving climbing, reaching, and standing for long hours
- ✗Exposure to paint fumes, solvents, and dust creates health risks requiring protective equipment
- ✗Seasonal slowdowns in colder climates can reduce income during winter months
- ✗Working at heights on ladders and scaffolding carries inherent fall risks
- ✗Surface preparation is tedious and labor-intensive but essential for quality results
- ✗Self-employed painters must manage business operations, bidding, and client relations
- ✗Weather dependence for exterior work leads to unpredictable scheduling
Industry Insight
The painting trade continues to experience strong demand driven by new construction, renovation activity, and ongoing maintenance needs. Low-VOC and zero-VOC paint formulations are becoming industry standard as environmental and health regulations tighten. Advanced coating technologies including self-cleaning, antimicrobial, and thermal-insulating paints are expanding the value proposition of professional painting services. Labor shortages in the construction trades have increased wages and bargaining power for experienced painters. Technology adoption includes digital color-matching tools, estimating software, and drone-based inspection of hard-to-reach surfaces. The trend toward more distinctive interior design has increased demand for decorative painting and specialty finishes. Commercial property maintenance contracts provide reliable recurring revenue for painting businesses. Green building certifications like LEED are influencing paint selection and application practices on environmentally conscious projects.
How to Break Into This Career
Look for painter's helper or apprentice positions with established painting contractors in your area as your starting point. Contact local chapters of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades about formal apprenticeship opportunities with structured training. Practice fundamental skills on personal projects — painting rooms in your home or helping friends and family builds practical experience. Invest in quality basic tools including brushes, rollers, painter's tape, drop cloths, and a sturdy ladder. Learn about different paint types, surface preparation techniques, and application methods through trade publications and online resources. Obtaining an EPA lead-safe renovator certification opens up work on pre-1978 buildings and demonstrates professional seriousness. Building a portfolio of before-and-after photos documents your skill development and impresses potential employers or clients. Networking with general contractors, property managers, and real estate agents can generate referrals and job leads.
Career Pivot Tips
Drywall finishers and plasterers have the closest transferable skills, as they already understand wall preparation, texturing, and working with construction finishes. General construction laborers bring familiarity with job sites, safety protocols, and physical work demands that translate directly to painting. Auto body painters have spray application expertise that transfers well to industrial and commercial painting, though surface types differ. Custodial and maintenance workers who have handled touch-up painting and minor repairs have a basic foundation to build upon. Artists and creative professionals bring color theory knowledge and attention to aesthetic detail valued in decorative painting specialties. Property management workers who have coordinated renovation projects understand the client relationship and project management aspects. Military veterans with facilities maintenance experience often have painting skills that translate to civilian credentials. Retail paint store employees bring product knowledge about coatings, colors, and application techniques directly applicable to the trade.
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