Construction Painter Apprenticeship in District of Columbia

Wages, programs & career outlook
DC Median Salary
$59,810/yr
+23% vs. national
National Median
$48,660/yr
DC Employment
420
Construction Painters employed
DC Sponsors
145
Registered programs

District of Columbia Wage Spread

Annual wages for Construction Painters in District of Columbia across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$42,740
25th %ile
$47,980
Median
$59,810
75th %ile
$70,520
90th %ile
$81,950

Construction Painter Apprenticeship in District of Columbia

Construction Painters in District of Columbia earn $59,810/yr at the median — 24% above the $48,060 national average across all occupations. A solid middle-class income that typically comes without student debt.

The 23% wage premium over the national Construction Painter median ($48,660) makes District of Columbia one of the stronger markets for this apprenticeship path.

Employment for Construction Painters is projected to grow 3.8% through 2034, roughly in line with the overall economy. About 28,100 positions open annually through both growth and replacement.

Only 420 Construction Painters work in District of Columbia — 0.2% of the national total. The limited scale can mean fewer formal apprenticeship programs, pushing some candidates toward nearby states with larger trade economies.

A Construction Painter apprenticeship runs 3 years at 6,000 hours. The time-based structure means you're logging real work alongside experienced tradespeople from week one, learning blueprint reading, building codes, and material estimation in evening or weekend classes.

Program availability in District of Columbia is moderate: 145 registered sponsors across the state. Apprenticeship applicants in major cities will find multiple options; those in smaller markets may need to commute or relocate within the state.

The wage band for Construction Painters in District of Columbia is narrow: $42,740 to $81,950 at the extremes. The $39,210 range means compensation is relatively standardized, often set by union contracts or prevailing wage rates.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in District of Columbia

145 registered apprenticeship sponsors in District of Columbia. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
A Little More Support Washington
AMC Industries, Inc. Washington
AMERICAN HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOC. Washington
Admiral Construction, LLC Washington
Agave Lounge Washington
Alcoa & Concrete & Masonry of DC LLC Washington
Aleman Construction LLC Washington
American Hotel & Lodging Association Washington District Of Columbia
American Job Center (Headquarters) Washington
American Job Center Northeast Washington
American Medical Response Mid-Atlantic, Inc Washington
AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School Washington
Aquil Mechanical Works, LLC Washington
Arctic Innovation System, LLC Washington
BALTIMORE CEMENT MASONS JAC Washington
Blueridge of DC, Inc Washington
Bridges PCS Washington
Build Within (Illinois) Washington District Of Columbia
BuildWithin Washington
BuildWithin, Inc Washington
Building Hope Washington
CAP Innovation Design Washington
CVS Health Washington District Of Columbia
Capital Carpets, Inc Washington
Capital City PCS Washington
+ 5 more sponsors in District of Columbia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Construction Painter salary in District of Columbia?
The BLS reports a median wage of $59,810/yr for Construction Painters in District of Columbia (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
What is the length of a Construction Painter apprenticeship program?
The standard Construction Painter apprenticeship is 3 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom education. Some programs offer accelerated paths for candidates with prior experience.
Should I do a Construction Painter apprenticeship or go to trade school?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Construction Painters combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
What is the job outlook for Construction Painters?
The BLS projects 3.8% employment growth for Construction Painters through 2034 — steady demand. About 28100 positions open annually through both growth and retirements.
Where can I apply for a Construction Painter apprenticeship in District of Columbia?
Contact one of the 145 registered apprenticeship sponsors in District of Columbia, or visit apprenticeship.gov to search for programs. Local union halls, community colleges, and state apprenticeship agencies are good starting points.
Do Construction Painter apprentices get paid during training?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In District of Columbia, a first-year Construction Painter apprentice might earn around $29,905/yr (roughly half the $59,810 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 3-year program.

Construction Painter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in District of Columbia

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