Careers

Painting

Interior and exterior painting, staining, and coating

$49k/yr median+4% growth (10-yr)28,100 openings/yrFast entry (<1 yr)CSI 09

Wages & Job Outlook

$49k

Median wage

per year

$37k

Entry wage

per year

$77k

Top 10%

per year

28K

Annual openings

jobs per year

+4% projected job growth over 10 years — about as fast as average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.

Work-Life & Stability

Environment

mixed

Overtime

rare

Physical demand

moderate

Travel

Travel typically required

Hazard level

Moderate hazard

Moderately cyclical

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-job

Most painters start as helpers or laborers with no formal training required

Duration: 1–2 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Registered Apprenticeship

apprenticeship

IUPAT apprenticeship programs available through union locals

Duration: 4 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Certification-First

certification-first

EPA RRP Lead Renovator certification required for pre-1978 housing work

Duration: 1 dayCost: Low / minimal tuition

Find local painting training near you

Programs, apprenticeship openings, and American Job Centers

Find training →

How to Pay for Your Training

Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.

WIOA Individual Training Account (ITA)

Federally funded training voucher for eligible adults and dislocated workers. ITAs pay for approved programs at WIOA-eligible providers (ETPs). Amounts set by local Workforce Development Boards — typically $3,000–$12,000 per year depending on workforce area. Apply at your nearest American Job Center (CareerOneStop).

Up to $12,000

Apply →

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant up to $7,395/year for eligible students at accredited colleges and trade schools. Does not need to be repaid. Eligible programs include accredited community colleges, for-profit trade schools (UTI, Lincoln, etc.), and union training centers that are accredited institutions.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

Workforce Pell Grant (SAVES Act)

Starting July 1, 2026, Pell Grant eligibility expands to high-quality short-term workforce programs (8–15 weeks) at eligible institutions. For the first time, trade training programs under 600 hours are Pell-eligible — including many HVAC, electrical, and welding certificates. Students earn the same need-based amount as longer programs.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

GI Bill (Post-9/11, Chapter 33) — Apprenticeship

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA, based on E-5 w/dependents BAH at program location) that scales up as they advance through the apprenticeship. Covers full 3–5 year apprenticeship programs.

Up to $3,200

Apply →

See all programs you may qualify for →

Job & Training Resources

Best Places to Find Construction Jobs With No Experience →Best Construction Job Sites →Best Construction Staffing Agencies →Best Sites for Traveling Construction Jobs →

Job Corps

A free U.S. Department of Labor residential program for ages 16–24 offering hands-on construction trades training, housing, and job placement.

Apprenticeship.gov Partner Finder

A free U.S. Department of Labor tool for finding registered apprenticeship partners — sponsors, educators, and intermediaries.

Apprenticeship Illinois

Illinois's state apprenticeship initiative, hosted on the Illinois workNet portal, connecting career seekers to registered apprenticeship pathways statewide.

Browse all job & training resources →

Career Ladder

Painter's Helper

$32k/yr

0–1 yrs exp.

Preps surfaces, moves equipment, assists lead painter

Apprentice Painter

$40k/yr

1–4 yrs exp.

Learning professional techniques and material knowledge

Journeyman Painter

$52k/yr

4+ yrs exp.

Works independently on residential and commercial projects

Lead Painter/Foreman

$60k/yr

6+ yrs exp.

Leads crew, handles client communication

Painting Contractor

$75k/yr

5+ yrs exp.

Owns painting business, manages estimating and crews

Licensing by State

State	Required?	License type	Issuing body
AZ	Yes	CR-34 / R-34 / C-34 Painting and Wall Covering	Arizona ROC (Registrar of Contractors)
CA	Yes	C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor	CSLB (Contractors State License Board)
FL	Yes	Painting Contractor (Certified or Registered)	Florida DBPR / CILB (Construction Industry Licensing Board)
GA	No	–	–
IL	No	–	–
MI	Yes	Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license, Painting & Decorating (J) classification	Michigan LARA (Bureau of Construction Codes)
NC	Yes	General Contractor License (required for painting projects $40,000+)	NCLBGC (NC Licensing Board for General Contractors)
NJ	Yes	Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration	NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (Office of Consumer Protection)
NY	No	–	–
OH	No	–	–
PA	Yes	Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration	PA Office of Attorney General (HICPA)
TN	Yes	Contractor License (BC-A subclass Painting, or specialty 'Painting & Wall Covering')	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
TX	No	–	–
VA	Yes	Contractor License (Class A/B/C) with Painting & Wallcovering (PTC) specialty	Virginia DPOR (Board for Contractors)
WA	Yes	Registered Specialty Contractor - Painting	Washington State L&I (Dept. of Labor & Industries)

Time to Enter

Time to journeyman4 yrs

Fast-entry trade — earning wages in <1 year possible

Wages (BLS 2024)

Entry (10th pct)$37k

Median$49k

Top 10%$77k

BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.

Compare all trades side-by-side →Find training funding →

Own a painting business?

Verified · 2 sources

What it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.

First Page Sage

PE / strategic buyer

5.5×–11×

× EBITDA

Peak Business Valuation

Appraisal / small business

1.41×–2.84×

× SDE

The two lenses differ on purpose: PE / strategic buyers pay a multiple of EBITDA (management-run, platform-scale), while an appraisal / small-business value is a multiple of SDE (owner-operated). Most trades land between the two.

Full valuation breakdown →Explore exit paths →