In short
Most construction painters learn on the job and need no formal education, though union painters apprenticeships of two to four years offer structured training and higher pay scales. Industrial painters who apply specialized coatings to bridges and tanks often earn more. Construction and maintenance painters earned a median $49,400 in May 2025, with about 24,900 openings a year, per BLS.
| Middle pay | $49,400 a year, roughly $23.75 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | No diploma needed to start, then moderate-term on-the-job training |
| People in the trade | About 326,900 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 3% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 24,900, counting retirements |
From the BLS Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.
Where painters work
- New commercial construction
- Repaint and maintenance for property managers
- Industrial coatings on steel, tanks and bridges
- Residential repaint
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Straight answers
Do you need training to be a painter?
Not formally, but apprenticeships and safety training help you move up.
Is painting a union trade?
Many commercial painters are union members, and union apprenticeships exist in many areas.
What pays more in painting?
Industrial coatings and specialty work usually pay more than residential repaint.