Updated 2025 · Construction
How to Become a Painter (Construction)
Construction painters apply paint, stain, varnish, and coatings to buildings, bridges, and other structures for protection and decoration.
Steps to Become a Painter (Construction)
- Meet basic requirements — You must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. A strong foundation in math, physics, and shop classes helps.
- Apply to an apprenticeship program — Painter (Construction) apprenticeships last 3 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apply through your local union (IBEW, UA, etc.) or a non-union contractor program. You earn while you learn from day one.
- Complete required training — Complete 6000 hours of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.
- Earn certifications — Required certifications include: EPA Lead-Safe Renovation certification (RRP), OSHA 10/30-Hour, SSPC/NACE coating inspector certification (industrial).
- Pass the journeyman exam — After completing your apprenticeship, pass the journeyman licensing exam in your state to earn full journeyman status and pay.
What Does a Painter (Construction) Do?
Construction painters apply paint, stain, varnish, and coatings to buildings, bridges, and other structures for protection and decoration.
Daily Duties
- Prepare surfaces by scraping, sanding, and priming
- Apply paint, stain, and coatings using brushes, rollers, and sprayers
- Mix and match colors to specifications
- Apply protective coatings to industrial structures
- Install wallcoverings
Skills Needed
- Surface preparation
- Spray painting
- Color matching
- Industrial coatings
- Lead paint safety
Required Certifications
- EPA Lead-Safe Renovation certification (RRP)
- OSHA 10/30-Hour
- SSPC/NACE coating inspector certification (industrial)
Painter (Construction) Salary (2025)
The national median painter (construction) salary is $47,431 per year. Pay ranges from $40,446 in the lowest-paying metro to $61,726 in the highest-paying metro. See the full painter (construction) salary breakdown by city.
Apprentice Pay Progression
Painter (Construction) apprentices earn while they learn, starting at approximately 40% of journeyman pay:
| Year | % of Journeyman | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 40% | $18,972 |
| Year 2 | 65% | $30,830 |
| Year 3 | 90% | $42,688 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $47,431 |
Union vs Non-Union Painter (Construction) Pay
Union painter (construction)s earn 26% more than non-union workers — $30.60/hour union vs $24.29/hour non-union. Approximately 14.8% of painter (construction)s are union members. See the full union vs non-union comparison.
Work Environment
Painters work indoors and outdoors on construction sites, homes, and industrial structures. Exposure to paint fumes, solvents, and heights. Industrial painters work on bridges, tanks, and towers.
Career Outlook
Steady demand in residential repainting and commercial construction. Industrial painters specializing in protective coatings earn premium wages.
Frequently Asked Questions
The national median salary for a painter (construction) is $47,431 per year (2025 BLS data). Pay ranges from $40,446 to $61,726 depending on location, with top earners in the 90th percentile making significantly more.
It takes 3 years to complete a painter (construction) apprenticeship. During this time, you earn while you learn — starting at approximately 40-50% of journeyman wages and receiving annual raises.
No college degree is required to become a painter (construction). The primary path is through an apprenticeship program or trade school. You will need to earn specific certifications: EPA Lead-Safe Renovation certification (RRP) and OSHA 10/30-Hour.
Painter (Construction) earns a Trade Pay Score grade of D, meaning it rates moderately on pay relative to cost of living, wage growth, and demand. Steady demand in residential repainting and commercial construction. Industrial painters specializing in protective coatings earn premium wages.
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