Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary
The median painters, construction and maintenance salary in the United States is $49,400 per year ($23.75/hour). Salaries range from $37,440 at the entry level to $78,810+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 225,190 painters, construction and maintenance jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3.8% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary Distribution
Job Growth (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
Education Required
Training Needed
Painters, Construction and Maintenance Career Guide
Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for painters, construction and maintenances.
Painters apply paint, coatings, stains, and finishes to residential + commercial + industrial buildings, bridges, ships, and equipment. Career splits: residential painters (homes + additions + remodels), commercial painters (office buildings, retail, hospitals), industrial painters (bridges, tanks, refineries β specialty coating), marine + ship painters (shipyards), high-rise + bridge painting (specialty + higher pay + risk), specialty coatings (epoxy floors, waterproofing). Path: high school + on-the-job training or 3-4 year union apprenticeship (IUPAT). Median compensation: entry $32-45k residential; skilled residential $45-62k; commercial + industrial $55-82k; specialty coatings + bridge $65-105k+; foreman + supervisor $65-95k; contractor + shop owner $80-300k+. Union contractors pay 30-50% more + strong pension + benefits.
Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For
How to Become a Painters, Construction and Maintenance
- 1Age 18+ + high school diploma preferredSome entry roles accept without diploma. Reading + basic math + measurement for orders + labels.
- 2Apply to painting company or contractorResidential (small local contractors), commercial (larger regional + national), or union hall (IUPAT β International Union of Painters + Allied Trades).
- 3On-the-job training (typically 3-6 months for entry)Learn surface prep + application + safety on the job.
- 4Union Apprenticeship (3-4 years β IUPAT + Finishing Trades Institute)Paid apprenticeship. Earn while learning. Progressive wage. Guaranteed journeyman status.
- 5Get certifications (OSHA 10, Confined Space, Fall Protection, EPA RRP for lead)Higher-pay roles require certifications.
- 6Specialize (industrial, marine, high-rise, epoxy floors, historical restoration)Specialty commands 30-70% premium wages. Industrial + marine + high-rise highest-paying.
- 7Advance to foreman β superintendent β contractorCareer progression from craft to management + ownership.
Career Progression
- β’Basic prep + application under supervision
- β’Learning tools + materials
- β’Assist skilled painters
- β’Independent painting on standard projects
- β’Full application skills
- β’Cross-trained in materials
- β’Complex coating systems
- β’Specialty environments (heights, marine)
- β’High-pressure environments
- β’Supervise crew of 4-12
- β’Quality control + safety
- β’Coordinate with GC + trades
- β’Full business P&L
- β’Multi-crew + team oversight
- β’Business development + estimating
Interview Questions & Answers
5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 11 total plus resume bullets for every level.
Q1. Tell me about your painting experience.situational
Q2. How do you handle surface preparation?technical
Q3. Tell me about a difficult painting project.behavioral
Q4. Why our company / project type?culture
Q5. How do you handle safety on the job?situational
Resume Template β Journeyman Painter (3-6 yrs)
Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.
- βΈJourneyman Painter, [Contractor], 4 years commercial + industrial painting.
- βΈOSHA 10 + Fall Protection + Confined Space + EPA RRP (Lead) + SSPC (Society for Protective Coatings) trained.
- βΈZero complaints + zero call-backs on 24 commercial projects over past 24 months.
- βΈCertified airless sprayer + HVLP + industrial coating systems. Bilingual English + Spanish.
What Gets You Rejected
- βPoor surface preparation habits.
- βAttendance issues.
- βWeak safety awareness.
- βBad-mouthing prior contractors or customers.
- βMissing key certifications for level of role.
- βSubstance abuse concerns.
- βHistory of comebacks or callbacks.
Salary Negotiation Levers
- βHourly rate + specialty + certifications.
- βUnion vs non-union β union pays 30-50% more + strong pension + benefits.
- βSign-on bonus $500-3,000 in high-demand areas.
- βOvertime premium 1.5x + holidays 2x.
- βPer diem + travel pay for out-of-town.
- βSpecialty pay: industrial (20-40% premium), marine (30-50%), high-rise (30-70%).
- βFull benefits (health, dental, retirement) via union pension fund.
- βCertifications support (SSPC + NACE + EPA RRP).
- βCareer path to foreman + contractor.
- βTool allowance $200-1,000/year.
Painters, Construction and Maintenance Resume Review β $29
Personalized resume review from someone who has hired painters, construction and maintenances. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.
- β Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
- β Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
- β Missing skills / keywords flagged
- β Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
- β 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it
Painters, Construction and Maintenance Career Kit β $19
- β All 11 interview questions with expert answers
- β 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
- β Interview format intel for 8 top employers
- β 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
- β Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
- β 30β60β90 day plan for your first role
- β Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
- β Detailed salary negotiation script
- β Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
- β Downloadable PDF for offline access
- β Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.
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Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) βSalary Map β Click a state for details
Top Paying States
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $68,220 | +38.1% |
| Illinois | $61,260 | +24.0% |
| Alaska | $60,980 | +23.4% |
| Washington | $59,650 | +20.7% |
| New York | $59,570 | +20.6% |
| District of Columbia | $59,520 | +20.5% |
| Maine | $59,270 | +20.0% |
| New Jersey | $59,250 | +19.9% |
| California | $59,020 | +19.5% |
| Delaware | $58,530 | +18.5% |
Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $84,370 | +70.8% |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $73,650 | +49.1% |
| Rockford, IL | $72,700 | +47.2% |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $66,160 | +33.9% |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $65,080 | +31.7% |
| Peoria, IL | $64,450 | +30.5% |
| Bay City, MI | $64,200 | +30.0% |
| Springfield, IL | $63,930 | +29.4% |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $63,800 | +29.1% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $63,600 | +28.7% |