Construction Painter Apprenticeship in Iowa

Wages, programs & career outlook

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.

IA Median Salary
$48,780/yr
+0% vs. national
National Median
$48,660/yr
IA Employment
1,730
Construction Painters employed
IA Sponsors
3
Registered programs
Training Term
3.0 yrs
Time-Based
Job Growth
3.8%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
28,100
Nationally, per yr

Construction Painter Apprenticeship in Iowa: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered construction painter apprenticeship in Iowa combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Programs typically run 3.0 years and follow a time-based structure. You earn wages from day one — apprentices are employees, not students.

Iowa pay vs. national

Median construction painter wages in Iowa are $48,780/year, +0% above the national median of $48,660. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Iowa has 3 registered apprenticeship sponsors for construction painter listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship.gov directory. The sponsor list further down includes joint labor-management programs (JATCs), individual employers, and contractor associations.

Job-market outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.8% job growth for construction painters nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 28,100 annual openings each year (replacement plus growth combined). Apprenticeship demand tends to track local construction and infrastructure spending — Iowa-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Iowa Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$36,750
Median
$48,780
90th pct
$66,250
Middle 50% of workers earn $41,050$60,940

Current Construction Painter Apprenticeship Openings in Iowa

No construction painter apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Iowa. The sponsors listed below accept applications on a rolling basis — contact them directly. Consider setting up an alert on apprenticeship.gov to be notified when new listings are posted.

Listings aggregated from apprenticeship.gov (US Dept. of Labor). Data refreshed daily.

Construction Painter Apprenticeship Sponsors in Iowa

3 construction painter-related registered sponsors identified in the DOL ApprenticeshipUSA directory for Iowa. Directory lists sponsor names only — contact each organization directly to confirm current construction painter apprenticeship openings.

Organization City County
IUPAT DC 81 JATT LU 1075 Des Moines Polk County
IUPAT DC 81 JATT LU 246 Des Moines Polk County
IUPAT DC 81 JATT LU 581 Des Moines Polk County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Construction Painter openings

Filter by occupation code 47-2141 and state IA for the most relevant results.

Construction Painter Apprenticeship in Iowa

Iowa has only 3 Construction Painter-adjacent registered sponsors in our directory — program slots may be competitive and early applications give the best shot at placement. Direct outreach to union halls in the state's largest cities often matters more than formal application windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Construction Painter salary in Iowa?
Construction Painters in Iowa earn a median salary of $48,780/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is above the national median of $48,660 for the trade.
How many years does it take to become a Construction Painter through apprenticeship?
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.
What's the difference between a Construction Painter apprenticeship and trade school?
An apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn over 3 years with no tuition cost. Trade school is faster (6–24 months) but costs money upfront. Both can lead to the same journeyman credential.
Where can I apply for a Construction Painter apprenticeship in Iowa?
Our directory surfaces 3 Construction Painter-related registered sponsors in Iowa. Start with your local trade union hall, joint apprenticeship committee (JAC), or state apprenticeship agency. You can also search apprenticeship.gov by occupation and ZIP.
Do Construction Painter apprentices get paid during training?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Iowa, a first-year Construction Painter apprentice might earn around $24,390/yr (roughly half the $48,780 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 3-year program.

Prefer Trade School Instead?

Apprenticeships pay from day one, but the classroom-first path may fit better for some. Construction Painters also train through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost.

Compare 43 Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection programs nationwide →
Too few Iowa-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Construction Painter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Iowa

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