Construction Trades Workers

How to become a Construction and Maintenance Painter

Official title: Painters, Construction and Maintenance

Also called: Building Trades Painter, Commercial Painter, Facilities Painter, Highway Painter, House Painter, Industrial Painter, Maintenance Painter, Painter, Professional Painter, Texturer

Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.

Main tasks

Cover surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.
Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors or homeowners to determine work requirements.
Apply paint, stain, varnish, enamel, or other finishes to equipment, buildings, bridges, or other structures, using brushes, spray guns, or rollers.
Fill cracks, holes, or joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.
Smooth surfaces, using sandpaper, scrapers, brushes, steel wool, or sanding machines.
Erect scaffolding or swing gates, or set up ladders, to work above ground level.
Wash and treat surfaces with oil, turpentine, mildew remover, or other preparations, and sand rough spots to ensure that finishes will adhere properly.
Apply primers or sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare wood or metal, for finish coats.

How to become one

Painters typically learn their trade on the job. No formal education is typically required to enter the occupation.

Typical education to start: No formal educational credential

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Painter (Const).
Apprenticeship: Painter (Existing Title: Painter, Shipyard).
Apprenticeship: Painter, Indust Coating and Lining App Specialist.
Licence: A licence is required in 6 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $49,400 a year The middle half earn $44,640 to $61,660.
About 326,900 people work in this job now, and about 336,700 are projected by 2035. (+3%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Construction and Maintenance Painter?

Painters typically learn their trade on the job. No formal education is typically required to enter the occupation.

How much does a Construction and Maintenance Painter earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $49,400 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $44,640 to $61,660.

Is a Construction and Maintenance Painter a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 3% by 2035, from about 326,900 to about 336,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Construction and Maintenance Painter?

Usually not. Only 8% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Painter (Const).

Will AI change the work of a Construction and Maintenance Painter?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.