Construction Painter Apprenticeship
Construction painters prep and coat surfaces on new builds and remodels — drywall, trim, siding, steel, and everything in between. The job combines surface prep, color mixing, and application technique (brush, roller, sprayer) for a durable, uniform finish.
National Wage Spread
Annual wages for Construction Painters across all experience levels, nationwide.
Construction Painter Wages by State
Median annual wage for Construction Painters by state, sorted highest to lowest. Click any state to see registered sponsors and local programs.
| State | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $67,620 | 1,630 |
| Alaska | $65,610 | 400 |
| Illinois | $62,390 | 6,700 |
| Minnesota | $60,900 | 3,480 |
| New Jersey | $60,290 | 4,230 |
| District of Columbia | $59,810 | 420 |
| Washington | $58,520 | 8,820 |
| California | $57,450 | 37,780 |
| North Dakota | $57,390 | 460 |
| Maine | $56,270 | 1,950 |
| New York | $56,020 | 14,670 |
| Massachusetts | $55,870 | 4,830 |
| Delaware | $55,770 | 530 |
| Ohio | $53,650 | 6,050 |
| Connecticut | $53,610 | 2,010 |
| Nevada | $52,300 | 3,430 |
| Rhode Island | $51,420 | 780 |
| Colorado | $50,650 | 3,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,230 | 6,110 |
| Missouri | $50,150 | 4,210 |
| Wisconsin | $50,020 | 3,430 |
| Indiana | $50,010 | 3,570 |
| New Hampshire | $49,600 | 990 |
| Vermont | $49,460 | 650 |
| Michigan | $49,360 | 4,930 |
| Maryland | $49,060 | 3,440 |
| Montana | $48,920 | 980 |
| Oregon | $48,880 | 4,780 |
| Iowa | $48,780 | 1,730 |
| Georgia | $47,690 | 3,310 |
| Arizona | $47,290 | 6,780 |
| South Dakota | $46,600 | 670 |
| Idaho | $46,490 | 2,000 |
| Florida | $46,060 | 20,910 |
| New Mexico | $45,910 | 1,280 |
| Utah | $45,900 | 3,350 |
| Wyoming | $45,820 | 530 |
| Alabama | $45,690 | 1,750 |
| Kentucky | $45,630 | 1,450 |
| Oklahoma | $45,610 | 1,830 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 | 1,580 |
| Kansas | $44,890 | 1,680 |
| Virginia | $44,670 | 5,300 |
| Texas | $44,160 | 18,700 |
| North Carolina | $43,890 | 4,340 |
| Louisiana | $43,700 | 4,050 |
| West Virginia | $43,450 | 800 |
| South Carolina | $42,950 | 2,060 |
| Mississippi | $40,750 | 810 |
| Tennessee | $40,710 | 3,630 |
| Arkansas | $38,420 | 910 |
Construction Painter Apprenticeship Overview
At $48,660/yr median, the Construction Painter trade combines strong wages with a proven apprenticeship pathway — 3 years of paid on-the-job training with no tuition cost. The model hasn't changed because it works.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.8% employment growth for Construction Painters through 2034, with approximately 28,100 positions opening annually through both expansion and replacement of retiring workers.
Nationally, wages span from $36,680/yr at the 10th percentile to $76,550/yr at the 90th. Geography drives much of this spread — the same trade can pay 50%+ more in high-cost states compared to rural markets.
Prefer Trade School Instead?
Apprenticeships pay from day one, but some people prefer the classroom-first path. Construction Painters also come up through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost, and a credential before entering the workforce.
Or jump straight to a specific school: