Construction Painters apply coats of paint, varnish, stain, enamel, or lacquer to decorate and protect interior or exterior surfaces, trimmings, and fixtures of buildings and other structures.

JOB DUTIES 

Construction Painters may:

Smooth surfaces, using sandpaper, brushes, or steel wool

Remove old paint from surfaces with solvents, scrapers, wire brushes, paint remover, or blow torches

Fill nail holes, cracks and joints with putty, plaster or other filler

Select pre-mixed paints or prepare paints to match colors by mixing coloring materials, oil, and thinning and drying substances

Paint surfaces using brushes, spray guns, or rollers

Copy wood grain, marble, brick, or tile effects

Set up scaffolding and ladders for work above ground level

Hang wallpaper and fabrics

Estimate job costs

Create special effects by applying paint with cloth, brush, sponge or fingers

To view Construction Painters at work click here .

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Construction Painters may specialize in these areas:

869.664-014 PAINT-STRIPING-MACHINE OPERATORS guide self-propelled or towed spray-painting machines to paint stripes on highways, streets, runways, and other road surfaces.

869.664-014 ROUGH PAINTERS apply paint, varnish, or enamel to exteriors and interiors of industrial plants or other structures, such as sheds, highway guard rails, and fences.

840.381-010 PAINTERS apply coats of paint, varnish, stains, enamel, or lacquer to decorate and protect interior or exterior surfaces, trimmings, and fixtures of buildings and other structures.

869.664-014 STRUCTURAL STEEL PAINTERS paint the framework of buildings, bridge cables, and other structural steel.

840.381-018 SHIPYARD PAINTERS prepare wood, fiberglass, and metal surfaces for painting. They also paint parts, equipment, interiors, and exteriors of ships, boats, and shipyard and marina buildings.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

On small jobs, Construction Painters usually work alone. On large jobs, they may work with other painters, laborers, or apprentices who assist in mixing paint, preparing surfaces, erecting scaffolds, painting, and cleaning tools and brushes. Painters may work indoors or outdoors in hot or cold weather.

Physical and health hazards to Painters include falls from ladders and scaffolds; injury from falling objects; injury from breathing ammonia, paint fumes, and dust; and injury from using hand tools.

Construction Painters might not be able to work outside during the winter months because of snow and ice. New types of paints that can be applied at wide ranges of temperature and used in damp and rainy weather are allowing Painters to work year-round.

Construction Painters usually work 40 hours per week. Some Painters may work evenings or holidays to avoid interfering with the business or work operation of places they paint. Overtime work is infrequent. Painters often travel from one job site to another, and they must have a valid operator's license or other reliable means of transportation.

Self-employed Painters should carry liability insurance since painting is a risky job. Premiums may be expensive. Self-employed Painters must provide their own tools and equipment and a vehicle for transporting their equipment.

A large number of Painters are members of The International Union Painters and Allied Trades . A few are members of other unions. Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Using standard methods and techniques

• Seeing the physical results of your work

You Should Be Able To:

• Rate information using personal judgment or measurable standards

• Work at heights while maintaining balance

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

How many gallons of paint will you need to paint a room that is

12' x 10'?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read labels and comprehend the meaning of various types of paint.

For example, alkyd, phenolic, vinyl, zinc silicate, epoxy coatings, mastics, catalyzed.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written estimate for a potential client.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills and be detail-oriented in determining the type and amount of paint needed for a given job in a given environment.

The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation.  Click here  for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Residential Maintenance and Alteration Contractor for specific licensing information.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0200 ART , 0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY , 3400 WOODS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

032 CONSTRUCTION/BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Approved vocational education programs in the Construction/Building Maintenance prepare students to erect, maintain, and repair buildings, highways, airports, and other structures using materials such as metal, wood, stone, brick, glass, concrete, and composition substances. Instruction is given in cost estimating, the use of hand and power tools, and in following technical specifications and blueprints. Instruction may be given in classroom, shop, or laboratory settings or at the actual location of construction projects.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

CONSTRUCTION - (ON SITE)

CONSTRUCTION - (IN SCHOOL)

FLOOR COVERING

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Exploration Script. 

   Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

031 PAINTER-DECORATOR

Many people enter occupations within this Career Exploration Script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script. 

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Part-time jobs are available for beginners as Painters' helpers. Secondary vocational education programs in construction trades may offer a co-op portion that includes practical experience. Experience may also be obtained through a formal apprenticeship program.

            School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships mentorships job shadowing experiences

touring a local Construction Painter employer

internships

volunteer work with a Construction Painter employer

community service work with an agency

Methods of finding Construction Painter jobs include applying directly to employers, completing an apprenticeship, and contacting civil service offices. Assistance may be available by consulting local unions, high school placement offices, and local offices of the Michigan Works! In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

          You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Geographic area, the size and type of employer, and union membership are factors affecting Painters' wages. Wages in urban areas are higher than in rural areas. The hourly rate of pay for union Painters is usually higher than the nonunion rate. Self-employed Painters usually have lower earnings than other Painters do.

Nationally, basic hourly wage rates for Painters in residential construction averaged $25.44 in late 2009. Median weekly earnings for all Construction and maintenance Painters were $554 or $13.85 per hour in 2008.   The median weekly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $722 in 2008.

Union hourly rates, including fringe benefits, for these workers in Michigan were (early 2009): 

Apprentice Painters' wages start at about 60% to 70%.

Construction Painters employed by the State of Michigan earned between $16.41 and $25.20 per hour in mid 2009, depending on their experience and level of responsibility.

Union Painters working for the City of Detroit in early 2009 earned from $22.54 to $23.32 per hour.   In early 2009 Sub-Foreman Painters earned $23.41, and Foreman earned $23.80 per hour respectively. Construction Painters may receive paid holidays and vacations, medical insurance, and pension plans. In some cases, unionized Painters and their employers may contribute jointly to union sponsored trust funds used to pay for fringe benefits.

After gaining experience, and often additional schooling, apprentices become Construction Painters. They may advance also to supervisors or cost estimators. With business knowledge and skills and enough money, some may start their own businesses.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 462,800 Construction Painters employed in 2006. Employment in this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016.  About 40.8% of them were self-employed.  The industry distribution for Construction Painters looked like this:

Private homeowners do much of their own painting. Therefore, employment growth for Construction Painters depends mostly on the expansion of commercial and industrial building and maintenance. However, construction activity depends heavily on the economy and the number of job openings may vary from year to year. Replacement needs will create most of the openings for Painters. Thousands of openings will result each year as Painters retire, die, leave the labor force, or transfer to other jobs or occupations.

There are approximately 10,425 Construction Painters employed in Michigan. Most of them worked in urban areas. Employment in this occupation in Michigan is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. 

An average of 260 annual job openings is expected, with 100 due to growth and 160 due to replacement of those who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons.  Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations. In late 2008, there were 127 apprentices in training for this occupation and 108 completed the apprenticeship program during the prior 12 months.

Recently developed paints, such as polyester and vinyl coatings and epoxies, that are heat-, abrasion-, and corrosion-resisting have resulted in new uses for paints and additional job opportunities for Painters. However, this will be partly offset by the sale of new types of paints that will enable the novice to handle many jobs with good results. Many products now arrive at the building site with a final coat of paint. These products typically are painted by nonunion Painters, which results in fewer jobs for unionized Painters.  

MICHIGAN'S AREA EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO  2014  

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth