Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Painters typically learn their trade on the job. No formal education is typically required to enter the occupation. PayThe median annual wage for painters, construction and maintenance was $49,400 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of painters, construction and maintenance is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 24,900 openings for painters, construction and maintenance are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for painters, construction and maintenance. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of painters, construction and maintenance with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about painters, construction and maintenance by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for painters, construction and maintenance was $49,400 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of painters, construction and maintenance is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 24,900 openings for painters, construction and maintenance are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for painters, construction and maintenance. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of painters, construction and maintenance with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about painters, construction and maintenance by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of painters, construction and maintenance is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 24,900 openings for painters, construction and maintenance are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for painters, construction and maintenance. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of painters, construction and maintenance with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about painters, construction and maintenance by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Painters apply paint, stain, and coatings to walls and ceilings, buildings, large machinery and equipment, and bridges and other structures.
Work Environment
Painters work indoors and outdoors. Painting is physically demanding and requires a lot of bending, kneeling, reaching, and climbing. Those who paint bridges or buildings may work at extreme heights or in uncomfortable positions.
How to Become a Construction and Maintenance Painter
Painters typically learn their trade on the job. No formal education is typically required to enter the occupation.
Pay
The median annual wage for painters, construction and maintenance was $49,400 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of painters, construction and maintenance is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 24,900 openings for painters, construction and maintenance are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for painters, construction and maintenance.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of painters, construction and maintenance with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about painters, construction and maintenance by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Painters work indoors and outdoors. Painting is physically demanding and requires a lot of bending, kneeling, reaching, and climbing. Those who paint bridges or buildings may work at extreme heights or in uncomfortable positions.
How to Become a Construction and Maintenance Painter
Painters typically learn their trade on the job. No formal education is typically required to enter the occupation.
Pay
The median annual wage for painters, construction and maintenance was $49,400 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of painters, construction and maintenance is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 24,900 openings for painters, construction and maintenance are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for painters, construction and maintenance.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of painters, construction and maintenance with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about painters, construction and maintenance by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for painters, construction and maintenance.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of painters, construction and maintenance with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about painters, construction and maintenance by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about painters, construction and maintenance by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.