Construction Painter Apprenticeship in North Carolina

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.

NC Median Salary
$43,890/yr
-10% vs. national
National Median
$48,660/yr
NC Employment
4,340
Construction Painters employed
NC Sponsors
0
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 North Carolina: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered construction painter apprenticeship in North Carolina 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.

North Carolina pay vs. national

Median construction painter wages in North Carolina are $43,890/year, -10% below the national median of $48,660. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

North Carolina has 0 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 — North Carolina-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

North Carolina Wage Spread

Annual wages for Construction Painters in North Carolina across all experience levels.

10th pct
$34,670
Median
$43,890
90th pct
$60,830
Middle 50% of workers earn $37,470$48,600

Current Construction Painter Apprenticeship Openings in North Carolina

No construction painter apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for North Carolina. That doesn't mean programs don't exist — smaller regional contractors often aren't included in the national directory. 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 North Carolina

Our directory doesn't surface Construction Painter-specific registered sponsors in North Carolina. This usually reflects a smaller regional market where sponsors use generic company names rather than trade-specific branding — it doesn't mean programs don't exist. Direct search on apprenticeship.gov is the most reliable way to find current openings.

Search apprenticeship.gov for current Construction Painter openings

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

Construction Painter Apprenticeship in North Carolina

Construction Painter apprenticeship opportunities in North Carolina are best found through direct outreach: contact the relevant national union's closest local chapter, search apprenticeship.gov for current programs, or reach out to your state apprenticeship agency. Our directory reflects what sponsors self-identify by name, which can understate coverage in smaller markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Construction Painter salary in North Carolina?
Construction Painters in North Carolina earn a median salary of $43,890/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.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Construction Painters?
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.
How do I find a Construction Painter apprenticeship in North Carolina?
Our directory doesn't surface Construction Painter-specific registered sponsors in North Carolina — typical for smaller markets where sponsors use generic company names. Best path: (1) search apprenticeship.gov by occupation and ZIP for current openings, (2) contact the relevant national union's closest local (find locals via apprenticeship.gov), or (3) reach out to your state apprenticeship agency directly.
How much do Construction Painter apprentices earn?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In North Carolina, a first-year Construction Painter apprentice might earn around $21,945/yr (roughly half the $43,890 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 North Carolina-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Construction Painter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in North Carolina

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