Construction painter
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. Federal job definition
How people get into it
Although less common, painting apprenticeships lasting 3 or 4 years may be available for candidates who have a high school diploma or equivalent and who are at least 18 years old.
For each year of a typical program, apprentices must complete a predetermined number of hours of technical training and paid on-the-job training before becoming journey workers.
Apprenticeship program requirements differ based on the type of program and by region.
- Typical education to start
- No formal educational credential
- Typical training on the job
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Registered apprenticeships are run by employers, unions and industry groups. To find openings near you, search the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship finder, or contact your state's apprenticeship office.
What it pays
Yearly pay for all workers in this job nationally, including experienced ones. Apprentices usually start lower and get raises as they advance.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025Median pay by state (51 states)
| State | Median pay | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,930 | 1,570 |
| Alaska | $60,980 | 440 |
| Arizona | $48,250 | 5,210 |
| Arkansas | $40,090 | 890 |
| California | $59,020 | 38,430 |
| Colorado | $52,970 | 3,480 |
| Connecticut | $58,480 | 2,230 |
| Delaware | $58,530 | 480 |
| District of Columbia | $59,520 | 500 |
| Florida | $47,530 | 22,450 |
| Georgia | $48,340 | 2,760 |
| Hawaii | $68,220 | 1,900 |
| Idaho | $44,880 | 2,040 |
| Illinois | $61,260 | 6,820 |
| Indiana | $50,260 | 3,510 |
| Iowa | $49,710 | 1,770 |
| Kansas | $45,510 | 1,570 |
| Kentucky | $48,110 | 1,390 |
| Louisiana | $46,410 | 4,090 |
| Maine | $59,270 | 2,120 |
| Maryland | $49,120 | 3,750 |
| Massachusetts | $57,510 | 4,430 |
| Michigan | $50,650 | 4,920 |
| Minnesota | $57,270 | 3,810 |
| Mississippi | $44,800 | 1,060 |
| Missouri | $57,510 | 3,980 |
| Montana | $58,290 | 920 |
| Nebraska | $47,280 | 1,590 |
| Nevada | $56,390 | 4,120 |
| New Hampshire | $49,670 | 910 |
| New Jersey | $59,250 | 4,110 |
| New Mexico | $46,240 | 1,010 |
| New York | $59,570 | 13,040 |
| North Carolina | $44,110 | 5,220 |
| North Dakota | $54,870 | 420 |
| Ohio | $49,450 | 5,600 |
| Oklahoma | $44,900 | 1,880 |
| Oregon | $48,900 | 5,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,120 | 5,980 |
| Rhode Island | $41,590 | 1,160 |
| South Carolina | $40,840 | 2,080 |
| South Dakota | $48,160 | 670 |
| Tennessee | $43,230 | 3,040 |
| Texas | $45,460 | 18,330 |
| Utah | $46,050 | 3,510 |
| Vermont | $53,120 | 550 |
| Virginia | $47,470 | 5,930 |
| Washington | $59,650 | 9,510 |
| West Virginia | $44,230 | 720 |
| Wisconsin | $50,090 | 3,350 |
| Wyoming | $47,220 | 480 |
Job outlook
- People in this job
- 326,900
- Openings each year
- 24,900projected average, 2025–35, including people retiring or changing jobs
- Change in jobs
- +3%expected to grow 3%, 2025–35
Where these numbers come from
Pay comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' wage survey (May 2025). Jobs, openings, growth, education and training come from BLS Employment Projections (2025–35). The description of the job is the federal Standard Occupational Classification definition, and the quote is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. For how many apprentices there are in each state, see the Department of Labor's apprentices by state dashboard. Updated November 5, 2026.