Painting
Interior and exterior painting, staining, and coating
Wages & Job Outlook
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.
Work-Life & Stability
Overview
Painters apply paint, stain, varnish, and other coatings to walls, ceilings, and structures. EPA RRP certification is required for work on pre-1978 homes involving lead paint.
Day in the Life
Prep work (patching, sanding, taping) makes up 40% of the job. Apply primer and topcoats with roller, brush, or sprayer. Interior jobs dominate in winter; exterior in summer. Estimate new jobs in evenings.
How to Get Started
On-the-Job Training
on-the-jobMost painters start as helpers or laborers with no formal training required
Registered Apprenticeship
apprenticeshipIUPAT apprenticeship programs available through union locals
Certification-First
certification-firstEPA RRP Lead Renovator certification required for pre-1978 housing work
How to Pay for Your Training
Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.
Career Ladder
Painter's Helper
Preps surfaces, moves equipment, assists lead painter
Apprentice Painter
Learning professional techniques and material knowledge
Journeyman Painter
Works independently on residential and commercial projects
Lead Painter/Foreman
Leads crew, handles client communication
Painting Contractor
Owns painting business, manages estimating and crews
Licensing by State
| State | Required? | License type | Issuing body |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | Yes | C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor | CSLB (Contractors State License Board) |
| TX | No | – | – |
| FL | Yes | Painting Contractor (Certified or Registered) | Florida DBPR / CILB (Construction Industry Licensing Board) |
| NY | No | – | – |
| IL | No | – | – |
| PA | Yes | Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration | PA Office of Attorney General (HICPA) |
| OH | No | – | – |
| GA | No | – | – |
| NC | Yes | General Contractor License (required for painting projects $40,000+) | NCLBGC (NC Licensing Board for General Contractors) |
| MI | Yes | Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license, Painting & Decorating (J) classification | Michigan LARA (Bureau of Construction Codes) |
| WA | Yes | Registered Specialty Contractor - Painting | Washington State L&I (Dept. of Labor & Industries) |
| AZ | Yes | CR-34 / R-34 / C-34 Painting and Wall Covering | Arizona ROC (Registrar of Contractors) |
| VA | Yes | Contractor License (Class A/B/C) with Painting & Wallcovering (PTC) specialty | Virginia DPOR (Board for Contractors) |
| NJ | Yes | Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration | NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (Office of Consumer Protection) |
| TN | Yes | Contractor License (BC-A subclass Painting, or specialty 'Painting & Wall Covering') | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
Time to Enter
Wages (BLS 2024)
BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.
Own a painting business?
Provisional · 1 sourceWhat it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.
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Ways out for painting owners
Compare all →Industry Associations
- PCA
- PDCA
Physical Requirements
- Standing and reaching for extended periods
- Climbing ladders and scaffolding
- Exposure to fumes (requires PPE)
- Fine motor control