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Painting Worker

💰 Earn $38K-$55K
📚 No Degree Required
⏱️ 0–6 Month Training
📈 1.4% Job Growth
  • Transform everyday items into vibrant works of art with your painting skills.
  • Enhance and protect surfaces, making a lasting impact on various industries.
  • Use diverse tools to bring color and life to unique materials and objects.
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Painting Worker
What Painting Workers DoPaint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
  • Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
  • Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.
  • Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
  • Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
  • Immerse workpieces into coating materials for specified times.
Painting Workers Education, Salary, and Growth
Minimum EducationNone
Career ProspectsGood (Increasing by 1-5%)
Training TimeLess than 6 months
Job Openings800 Annually
Median Earnings
$44,420 in California
$40,860 Nationally

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Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.
Is This Career Right For You?
YOU Like
  • Working with my hands
you value
  • Accomplishing things
  • Having support
  • Having freedom
you are skilled in
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
Go Deeper: Painting Workers Explained
Painting Worker
Painting WorkerExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.
How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Apprenticeship
ApprenticeshipAn apprenticeship typically offers a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, leading to practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and the potential for long-term employment in a specific trade or profession.
🎓 Paid Work
⏱️ Finish in 2-5 years
Associate's Degree
Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years
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What Is the Building & Distribution Industry?
Building & Distribution
Building & DistributionThe primary activities of this group involve constructing, installing, repairing, and maintaining physical infrastructure, producing goods and materials, and transporting people and products from one location to another.
What Are Similar Careers?
Construction Painter

Transform spaces by painting walls, equipment, and structures with precision.

💰 $55K Median Salary
📈 4% Job Growth
Molders

Shape and form diverse products using materials like clay, glass, and concrete.

💰 $50K Median Salary
📈 6% Job Growth
Painting Machine Operator

Operate machines to coat products with paint or protective materials.

💰 $50K Median Salary
📈 1% Job Growth
Etchers and Engraver

Create intricate designs by etching or engraving various materials.

💰 $45K Median Salary
📈 -1% Job Growth
Furniture Finisher

Transform furniture with expert finishing and refinishing techniques.

💰 $45K Median Salary
📈 -3% Job Growth
Shoe Machine Operator

Operate machines to craft and finish shoes with precision and care.

💰 $45K Median Salary
📈 -4% Job Growth
Updated April 2026. Data sourced from O*NET and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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