Construction & Extraction
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Also called: Building Trades Painter, Commercial Painter, Facilities Painter, Highway Painter
US median pay
$49,400
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
24,900
326,900 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Calculate amounts of required materials and estimate costs, based on surface measurements or work orders.
- Remove old finishes by stripping, sanding, wire brushing, burning, or using water or abrasive blasting.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Coordination2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8/5
- Service Orientation2.4/5
- Systems Evaluation2.0/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.0/5
- Persuasion2.0/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
- Building and Construction3.0/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Public Safety and Security2.8/5
- Chemistry2.7/5
- Transportation2.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma49%
- Post-secondary certificate33%
- Less than high school16%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.