Painters, Construction and Maintenance
47-2141.00
Updated 2025

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.

Sample of reported job titles: Building Trades Painter, Commercial Painter, Facilities Painter, Highway Painter, House Painter, Industrial Painter, Maintenance Painter, Painter, Professional Painter, Texturer

Occupation-Specific Information

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.
  • 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.
  • Remove fixtures such as pictures, door knobs, lamps, or electric switch covers prior to painting.
  • Use special finishing techniques such as sponging, ragging, layering, or faux finishing.
  • Waterproof buildings, using waterproofers or caulking.
  • Select and purchase tools or finishes for surfaces to be covered, considering durability, ease of handling, methods of application, and customers' wishes.
  • Mix and match colors of paint, stain, or varnish with oil or thinning and drying additives to obtain desired colors and consistencies.
  • Polish final coats to specified finishes.
  • Cut stencils and brush or spray lettering or decorations on surfaces.
  • Clean tools and equipment, such as brushes and rollers.
  • Hang wallpaper.
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Technology Skills

Hot technology
Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

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Work Context

  • Spend Time Standing — 97% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  • Telephone Conversations — 81% responded “Every day.”
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 65% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
  • Time Pressure
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 18% responded “Very important.”
  • Contact With Others
  • Freedom to Make Decisions
  • Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals — 32% responded “A lot of freedom.”
  • Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles — 16% responded “More than half the time.”
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team — 20% responded “Very important.”
  • Exposed to Contaminants — 17% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
  • Exposed to High Places
  • Health and Safety of Other Workers — 33% responded “High responsibility.”
  • Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  • Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — 64% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 35% responded “Every day.”
  • Physical Proximity — 35% responded “Slightly close (e.g., shared office).”
  • Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body — 17% responded “More than half the time.”
  • Spend Time Walking or Running — 18% responded “More than half the time.”
  • Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers — 31% responded “Very high responsibility.”
  • Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities — 19% responded “Important.”
  • Written Letters and Memos — 16% responded “Never.”
  • Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 32% responded “Very important results.”
  • Frequency of Decision Making — 48% responded “Every day.”
  • Level of Competition — 33% responded “Highly competitive.”
  • E-Mail
  • Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 32% responded “Extremely important.”
  • Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance — 32% responded “Never.”
  • Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures — 33% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
  • Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions — 18% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
  • Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable — 32% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.”
  • Conflict Situations — 33% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
  • Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People — 33% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
  • Duration of Typical Work Week
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 17% responded “Every day.”

Experience Requirements

Job Zone

Title
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
SVP Range
(4.0 to < 6.0)

Training & Credentials

State training
Local training
Certifications
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State licenses

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Example apprenticeship titles for this occupation:

  • Architectural, Coatings Finisher
  • Painter (Const)
  • Painter, Indust Coating and Lining App Specialist
  • Painter, Shipyard
  • Pavement Striper
  • Pavement Striper

Specific title(s) listed above are vetted by industry and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor for use in a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Start your career and build your skillset. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to learn about opportunities related to this occupation.

Worker Requirements

Skills

  • Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:

  • High school diploma or equivalent required for some jobs
  • Post-secondary certificate required for some jobs
  • Less than high school diploma required for some jobs

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
  • Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Gross Body Coordination — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
  • Gross Body Equilibrium — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
  • Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Visual Color Discrimination — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Interests

Interest code: RC
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  • Realistic — Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
  • Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Work Styles

  • Dependability — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2024)
$23.40 hourly, $48,660 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2024)
342,200 employees
Projected growth (2024-2034)
Average (3% to 4%)
Projected job openings (2024-2034)
28,100
State trends
Top industries (2024)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 wage data and 2024-2034 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2024-2034). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings

More Information

Professional Associations

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

National Associations
Accreditation, Certification, & Unions