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Painters, Construction and Maintenance

Median Salary
47,700
Job Outlook
+1%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.

What is the job outlook?

Employment of painters, construction and maintenance is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 28,000 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.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$23,540

10%

$47,700

Median

$69,220

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • High school

    52%

  • Less than high school

    30%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    7%

  • Doctoral degree

    5%

  • Bachelor's degree

    4%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    Low

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Math and Science Skills

    Low

  • Technology Design and Control

    Low

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Low

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Building and Construction
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Administration and Management
  • Education and Training

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Physical Activity

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Decision Making

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.