Construction Painter Apprenticeship in Arkansas

Wages, programs & career outlook
AR Median Salary
$38,420/yr
-21% vs. national
National Median
$48,660/yr
AR Employment
910
Construction Painters employed
AR Sponsors
404
Registered programs

Arkansas Wage Spread

Annual wages for Construction Painters in Arkansas across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$31,280
25th %ile
$36,020
Median
$38,420
75th %ile
$47,000
90th %ile
$57,520

Construction Painter Apprenticeship in Arkansas

At $38,420 per year, Arkansas Construction Painter wages trail the national median. Regional cost of living and strong apprenticeship programs can still make this a viable path, but expect earnings on the lower end.

Construction Painter wages in Arkansas ($38,420) lag the national median by 21%. The significant gap suggests either low demand, weak union presence, or a depressed local construction market.

The employment outlook is solid if unspectacular: 3.8% growth projected through 2034 for Construction Painters. What matters more than the growth rate is the 28,100 annual openings — mostly from retirements — that keep demand steady.

Arkansas's 910 Construction Painters represent just 0.4% of the national workforce. A thinner market means fewer apprenticeship sponsors and potentially longer waits for program openings.

Expect a 3-year commitment for a Construction Painter apprenticeship: 6,000 hours of supervised field work alongside coursework in blueprint reading, building codes, and material estimation. Pay starts lower but scales up — most programs bump wages every six months.

Arkansas has 404 organizations running registered apprenticeship programs. Start with your local trade union or check apprenticeship.gov — the state's mid-range sponsor count means programs exist but may not be around every corner.

Construction Painter compensation in Arkansas runs from $31,280 to $57,520 — a compressed $26,240 range. Less wage variation typically means more predictable career economics but fewer breakout earning opportunities.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Arkansas

404 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Arkansas. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
DC Electric Alexander
MAND S CORP Alexander Saline County
City of Almyra Almyra
NATF Arkadelphia Clark County
National Apprenticeship Training Foundation, Inc. Arkadelphia Clark County
Southwest Arkansas Apprentice Training Program Arkadelphia Clark County
Ashdown School District Ashdown
Local 10 Signatory Contractors and Heat and Frost Insulators Local Union Number 10 Atkins Pope County
Grand Prairie Bayou Two PWA Austin
Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority Avoca
FutureFuel Chemical Co. Batesville Independence County
LaCroix Precision Optics Batesville Independence County
Martin Electric Apprenticeship Program Batesville Independence County
North Central Workforce Development Board Batesville
South Side School District (Van Buren) Bee Branch
Beebe School District Beebe
Red's Plumbing Beebe
Passmore Electric Beebranch
Benton Parks and Recreation Benton
Benton Utilities Benton
Eagle Electric Benton Saline County
Inspiring Innovative Concepts LLC Benton
Bentonville School District Bentonville
Brightwater Culinary Arts Program Bentonville Benton County
HIWASSEE PLUMBING APPRENTICE SCHOOL Bentonville Benton County
+ 5 more sponsors in Arkansas

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Construction Painters make in Arkansas?
Construction Painters in Arkansas earn a median salary of $38,420/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $48,660 for the trade.
How many years does it take to become a Construction Painter through apprenticeship?
A typical Construction Painter apprenticeship lasts approximately 3 years (6,000 hours of on-the-job training). The program combines paid work experience with related classroom instruction.
What's the difference between a Construction Painter apprenticeship and trade school?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Construction Painters, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
Are Construction Painter jobs growing?
Demand for Construction Painters is steady, with 3.8% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
How do I find a Construction Painter apprenticeship in Arkansas?
There are 404 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Arkansas. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
How much do Construction Painter apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $19,210/yr in Arkansas). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Construction Painter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Arkansas

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.