Painter (Construction)
Painters, Construction & Maintenance
SOC 47-2141
How Much Does a Painter (Construction) Make?
The national median salary for a Painter (Construction) is $46,080 per year ($22.15/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).
That's 30% below the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.
How to Become a Painter (Construction)
No formal education; OJT or short apprenticeship.
Lead-safe certification for older buildings
This career has relatively low barriers to entry compared to similar roles.
Painter (Construction) Job Outlook
As fast as avg — the BLS projects 2% growth from 2024 to 2034.
That's roughly in line with the average across all occupations.
About 28,900 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.
Residential/commercial maintenance; new construction
What It's Like to Work as a Painter (Construction)
This role involves significant physical labor.
This role typically requires in-person work at a specific location.
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Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.
View on BLS.gov