Painters, Construction And Maintenance: Salary, Career Path, Job ...

Skip to content

• How it Works
• Students
  • High School Students
  • Community College Students
  • Parents
• Educators
  • Counselors & Teachers
  • Educator Resources
• Resources
  • Help Center
  • Student Blog
  • Press
  • About Us

Log In Sign Up Menu

• How it Works
• Students
  • High School Students
  • Community College Students
  • Parents
• Educators
  • Counselors & Teachers
  • Educator Resources
• Resources
  • Help Center
  • Student Blog
  • Press
  • About Us

Log In Sign Up RaiseMe Careers Construction and Extraction careers Jobs: Painters, Construction and Maintenance Painters, Construction and Maintenance: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more Education Required There are no formal education requirements to become a painter, although some technical schools offer certificates in painting and some workers learn to paint in apprenticeship programs. Training Required Most painters learn their trade on the job. They learn 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. Job Outlook The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 6% (As fast as average) (The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) Licenses/Certifications 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. Median pay: How much do Painters, Construction and Maintenance make? $37,570 Annual Salary $18.06 per hour

Painters apply paint, stain, and coatings to walls and ceilings, buildings, bridges, and other structures.

What do Painters, Construction and Maintenance do?

Painters typically do the following:

• Cover floors, furniture, and trim with drop cloths, tarps, and masking tape to protect surfaces
• Remove and replace pictures and outlet and switch covers
• Install scaffolding and raise ladders
• Fill holes and cracks with putty or plaster
• Prepare surfaces by scraping, wire brushing, or sanding to a smooth finish
• Calculate the size of the area to be painted and the amount of paint needed for the area
• Apply primers or sealers so the paint will stick to the surface
• Apply paint or other finishes, using hand brushes, rollers, or sprayers

Paints and other sealers protect surfaces from damage caused by weather, sunlight, and pollution.

There are several ways to apply paint to a surface, and painters must choose the correct tool for each job, such as a roller, power sprayer, or brush. Choosing the right tool typically depends on the type of surface to be painted and the characteristics of the paint to be used. Some employers require painters to provide their own equipment.

Painters may 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.

Careers for Painters, Construction and Maintenance

• Bridge painters
• Facilities painters
• Highway painters
• House painters
• Industrial painters
• Interior painters
• Maintenance painters
• Painters
• Parking line painters
• Roof painters
• Spray painters
• Traffic line painters

Similar Careers

Higher Paid

• Carpenters
• Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers
• Flooring Installers and Tile and Marble Setters
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

Less Education

• Construction Laborers and Helpers
• Painting and Coating Workers

More Education

• Carpenters
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

Sign up to start earning scholarships at 200+ universities!

Earn money for college while you're still in high school for your academic achievements, sports, and activities. Sign Up