Painters

Career summary

Painters may also be called construction or maintenance painters.

Painters must prepare the surface before painting. For a new surface, they simply wipe it clean and apply a primer or sealer. For surfaces with old coatings, painters first strip off the old paint. They may strip it with chemicals, use sandpaper, or wire brushes. They fill nail holes and cracks, and sand rough areas.

Painters cover surfaces such as floors with drop cloths to protect them from paint. They remove lighting fixtures from walls and ceilings.

Once the surface area is ready, painters apply the paint or finish. Painters select the best paint applicator for each job. For example, they may use a paint roller for interior walls, and a brush with a tapered edge for trim. They may use a paint sprayer for exterior walls. Painters set up scaffolding or ladders to work on tall buildings.

Some painters specialize in certain techniques. This is most common for interior home painters. Some of these techniques include:

• Rag rolling
• Sponging
• Glazing

Self-employed painters prepare cost estimates and keep business records. They may also hire and train other employees.

Related careers

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Drywall Finishers
• Plasterers
• Wallpaper Hangers

Military careers

• Construction Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to painters.

• Read work orders or get instructions from supervisors or homeowners.
• Select the best finish for the job. Consider factors such as surface, durability, and customers' wishes.
• Apply a primer or sealer to new surfaces.
• Strip, sand, brush, burn, or blast old surfaces so new paint will apply properly.
• Wash walls and trim, fill nail holes and cracks, and sand rough spots.
• Cover surfaces with drop cloths or masking tape and paper to protect during painting. May remove lamps and door knobs.
• Paint surfaces using brushes, rollers, or paint sprayers. Apply stains using rags and brushes.
• Mix and match colors of paint, stain, or varnish to get the right color or consistency.
• Erect scaffolding or set up ladders.
• May prepare cost estimates for customers. May keep other business records.
• Polish final coats. May use special finishes and techniques to achieve the desired effect.
• Waterproof buildings or surfaces if necessary.

Common work activities

Painters perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Handle and move objects
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Evaluate information against standards
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Think creatively
• Develop and build teams
• Assist and care for others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Coach others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Process information
• Schedule work and activities
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Develop goals and strategies
• Teach others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Document and record information

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, painters:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of job-required social contact. They work alone but also talk with customers and assistants.
• When they talk with others, they usually communicate by telephone or in person.
• Often work as part of a team of painters.
• Have limited responsibility for the work done by other painters.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.

Physical work conditions

• Are regularly exposed to contaminants such as paint removers.
• Often wear safety attire, such as safety masks.
• Are sometimes exposed to high places. There is a low likelihood of moderate injury from falls.
• Sometimes wear a special uniform.
• May have to get into awkward positions to reach cramped work places.
• Are sometimes exposed to sounds and noise levels that are loud or distracting.
• Work both indoors and outdoors.
• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous situations or conditions.
• May on rare occasions be exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures when working outdoors. Indoor locations may not always have heating or air conditioning.
• May share work space with others.

Work performance

• Must be sure all details are done and their work is exact so that customers are satisfied.
• Sometimes make decisions that impact coworkers, customers, or their company. They often act without talking to a supervisor first.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first.
• Must meet strict weekly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work 40 hours a week.
• Travel from job site to job site. However, they may work at one job site for weeks.

Physical demands

Painters frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Climb ladders, scaffolds, or poles.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for painters to be able to:

• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for painters to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.

Skills and abilities

Painters need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Apprenticeship Programs
• Building Construction Technology
• Construction Trades

Other programs of study to consider

• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Training

To work as a painter, you typically need to:

• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Painter jobs tend to be entry-level jobs that require little or no previous work experience. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or equivalent.

On-the-job training

Many painters receive informal on-the-job training from an experienced worker. During training, you first work as a helper. You learn to erect scaffolding, carry supplies, and do simple painting. Later, as you gain skills, you learn to prepare surfaces and mix paints. Training may last up to one year.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be construction specialists. Training lasts five to eight weeks, depending on your specialty. Further training occurs on the job.

If you receive this type of training in the military, you may earn credit for previous work experience when you enter a civilian apprenticeship program.

Washington apprenticeships

For further information on apprenticeships in Washington, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Apprenticeship Program 
PO Box 44530
Olympia, WA 98504-4530
360.902.5320

#Checked address, URL 3/29/05, CJ. Checked info & added new WA subheading 3/15/07, CJ. Checked section 3/18/09 & 3/15/11, 4/15/13, 12/13/16 cj. Removed bulleted list of general entry requirements 4/8/19 cj.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Carpentry
• Construction
• Physical Education

Many painters are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers may prefer applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants should have good manual dexterity and good color sense.

Employers also look for applicants who are able to use high lift machines and swing stages to do work high off the ground.

Tips

Learning all phases of the trade from the ground up by working for a reputable, experienced contractor is a good way to prepare for this occupation.

Costs to workers

Workers may need to pay for protective clothing and a few tools. Workers under union contract must pay monthly dues and an initiation fee.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Painters, Construction and Maintenance 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The painter's skill and reputation may also affect wages. Earnings for painters may be reduced on occasion due to bad weather or downturns in construction activity. Thus, overall earnings may be lower than these wages suggest.

Benefits vary by employer. Full-time salaried painters may receive typical benefits. These often include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Self-employed painters must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 38% of painters are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Painting and wallpaper hanging companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be steady as the construction industry continues to grow. Industrial painting will also create more demand.

Painting is labor intensive and not effected very much by automation. However growth is effected by the economy.

Some job openings will be created when people leave this occupation. There are few skills required to become a painter. Many people enter this occupation, gain skills, and move on to other types of work.

Other resources

Finishing Trades Institute Northwest 

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades 
7234 Parkway Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
410.564.5900

North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) 
815 16th ST, NW, Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20006

Painting Contractors Association 
2316 Millpark Drive, Suite 220
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
800.332.7322
314.514.7322

Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council 
906 Columbia Street SW, Suite 107
Olympia, WA 98501
360.357.6778

References

Career cluster

• Architecture and Construction

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Painters, Construction and Maintenance (47-2141.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Painter (840.381-010) 
• Painter Apprentice, Shipyard (840.381-014) 
• Painter, Shipyard (840.381-018) 
• Painter, Stage Settings (840.681-010) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Artistic
• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled