Painters apply paint, stain, and coatings to walls and ceilings, buildings, large machinery and equipment, and bridges and other structures.
Painters typically do the following:
Painters apply liquid coatings and other sealers that dry into solids to add texture or color to interiors and to protect exterior surfaces from damage caused by weather, sunlight, and pollution.
For each job, painters must choose the correct tool, such as a roller, power sprayer, or brush. There are several ways to apply paint, and deciding on which tool to use typically depends on both the type of surface to be painted and the characteristics of the paint. Some employers require painters to provide their own tools
The following are types of painters:
Commercial painters prepare and paint the interiors and exteriors of offices, businesses, and other nonresidential buildings. Commercial painters may work with and be responsible for large areas due to the size of buildings involved in nonresidential projects.
Industrial painters prepare and paint large machinery, such as industrial or manufacturing equipment; vehicles, such as cars and ships; and structures, such as bridges and water towers. Industrial painters may also apply special coating materials to structure or equipment surfaces to protect them from corrosion or deterioration.
Industrial painters must contain the area in which they are working to prevent hazardous materials from contaminating the environment and exposing the public to risks. Industrial and commercial painters also must perform quality control and quality assurance to ensure that they find mistakes, meet technical specifications, and use materials appropriately.
Residential painters prepare and paint the interiors and exteriors of homes and multifamily residential buildings. Residential painters may interact with customers living in the home while painting is in progress. As a result, residential painters may need to adjust their hours or work plans to accommodate customer needs or schedules.
Painters, construction and maintenance held about 365,300 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of painters, construction and maintenance were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 42% |
| Painting and wall covering contractors | 37 |
| Residential building construction | 4 |
| Government | 2 |
| Nonresidential building construction | 1 |
Painters work on a variety of structures, including bridges, machinery, and the interiors and exteriors of buildings. Painting requires a lot of bending, kneeling, reaching, and climbing. Those who paint bridges or buildings may work at extreme heights or in uncomfortable positions; some painters are suspended by ropes or cables as they work.
Painters typically work both indoors and outdoors. When working outside or in confined spaces, painters may be exposed to extreme temperatures.
Painters may need to wear special safety equipment for a job. For example, painters working in confined spaces, such as the inside of a large storage tank, must wear self-contained suits to avoid inhaling toxic fumes. Some painters wear additional clothing and protective eyewear when operating abrasive blasters to remove old coatings. When painting bridges, ships, tall buildings, or oil rigs, painters may work from scaffolding or harnesses.
Painters risk injury on the job. Common hazards include falls from ladders, muscle strains from lifting, and exposure to drywall dust and other irritants.
Most painters work full time. Self-employed painters may be able to set their own schedules. Industrial painters may be required to travel for work. Painting jobs that are outdoors may be seasonal.
Painters typically learn their trade on the job. No formal education is typically required to enter the occupation.
There are no formal education requirements to become a painter. Some technical schools offer optional certificates in painting.
Painters typically learn on the job: how to prepare surfaces, apply coating, hang wall covering, and match colors. Painters may have to complete additional safety training in order to work with scaffolding and harnesses.
Although less common, painting apprenticeships lasting 3 or 4 years may be available for candidates who have a high school diploma or equivalent and who are at least 18 years old. For example, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, in conjunction with the Finishing Trades Institute, offers a 3-year apprenticeship for painters. For each year of a typical program, apprentices must complete a predetermined number of hours of technical training and paid on-the-job training before becoming journey workers. Apprenticeship program requirements differ based on the type of program and by region.
Although most painters learn their trade on the job or through an apprenticeship, some new workers enter training programs offered by the hiring contractor.
Those interested in industrial painting can earn several certifications from NACE International Institute or from the Society for Protective Coatings. Courses range from 1 day to several weeks, depending on the certification program and specialty. Applicants also must meet work experience requirements.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides certification for lead paint abatement.
Some states require licensing for lead paint removal. Contact your state’s licensing board for more information.
Employers may require workers to have a driver’s license to commute to jobsites.
After gaining experience, painters may advance to supervisors, superintendents, or managers, directing other painters and the jobsite. Painters may also work as estimators or start their own business.
Painters who work in a union may have advancement opportunities within the organization as a union official, training instructor, or business manager.
Ability to work at heights. Painters must be able to work at heights on scaffolding, lifts, and ladders.
Communication skills. Painters interact with clients and must be able to convey information in order to ensure accuracy of color selection and application techniques. Painters must also communicate with coworkers.
Detail oriented. Painters must be precise when creating or painting edges for overall quality of appearance.
Physical stamina. Painters should be able to stay physically active for many hours and spend much of the workday standing or climbing ladders.
Physical strength. Painters must be able to lift at least 50 pounds and move heavy items during the course of a job.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for painters, construction and maintenance was $45,590 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,770, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $70,570.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for painters, construction and maintenance in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Government | $60,570 |
| Nonresidential building construction | 48,380 |
| Residential building construction | 46,080 |
| Painting and wall covering contractors | 44,040 |
Apprentices make less than fully trained painters, but they receive increases as they learn to do more.
Most painters work full time. Self-employed workers may be able to set their own schedule.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Employment of painters, construction and maintenance is projected to show little or no change from 2021 to 2031.
Despite limited employment growth, about 31,600 openings for painters, construction and maintenance are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The expected increase in new construction will continue to create a need for painters. Investors who sell or lease properties also will require painters’ services. However, many homeowners choose to do painting themselves rather than hire workers for it, which will temper employment growth for painters.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Painters, construction and maintenance |
47-2141 | 365,300 | 370,100 | 1 | 4,900 | Get data | |
Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities for painters, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local contractors, or firms that employ painters. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about painters and training opportunities, visit
Associated Builders and Contractors
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Painting and Decorating Contractors of America
For more information about pre-apprenticeship training, visit
For more information about the work of industrial painters and about opportunities for training and certification as a protective coating specialist, visit
Society of Protective Coatings
For information about opportunities for military veterans, visit: