Construction Painter Apprenticeship in South 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.

SC Median Salary
$42,950/yr
-12% vs. national
National Median
$48,660/yr
SC Employment
2,060
Construction Painters employed
SC Sponsors
2
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 South Carolina: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered construction painter apprenticeship in South 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.

South Carolina pay vs. national

Median construction painter wages in South Carolina are $42,950/year, -12% below the national median of $48,660. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

South Carolina has 2 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 — South Carolina-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

South Carolina Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$34,410
Median
$42,950
90th pct
$56,900
Middle 50% of workers earn $36,860$48,190

Current Construction Painter Apprenticeship Openings in South Carolina

No construction painter apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for South Carolina. 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 South Carolina

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

Organization City County
Southedge Painting and Contracting, Inc. Mauldin Greenville County
Finishing Trades Institute District 77 New Ellenton Aiken County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Construction Painter openings

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

Construction Painter Apprenticeship in South Carolina

South Carolina has only 2 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

How much do Construction Painters make in South Carolina?
The median annual wage for Construction Painters in South Carolina is $42,950 as of May 2024. Wages range from $34,410 at the 10th percentile to $56,900 at the 90th percentile.
How many years does it take to become a Construction Painter through apprenticeship?
Most Construction Painter apprenticeships run 3 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
What's the difference between a Construction Painter apprenticeship and 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.
Where can I apply for a Construction Painter apprenticeship in South Carolina?
Contact one of the 2 Construction Painter-adjacent registered sponsors in South Carolina (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
How much do Construction Painter apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $21,475/yr in South Carolina). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the 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 South Carolina-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Construction Painter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in South Carolina

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