Construction Painter Apprenticeship in Washington

Wages, programs & career outlook
WA Median Salary
$58,520/yr
+20% vs. national
National Median
$48,660/yr
WA Employment
8,820
Construction Painters employed
WA Sponsors
434
Registered programs

Washington Wage Spread

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

10th %ile
$43,910
25th %ile
$48,260
Median
$58,520
75th %ile
$65,830
90th %ile
$79,510

Construction Painter Apprenticeship in Washington

The median Construction Painter in Washington earns $58,520 annually, outpacing the national all-occupation median by 22%. The trade offers a reliable path to financial stability in the state.

Compared to the $48,660 national median for Construction Painters, Washington pays 20% more. The state ranks among the top-paying markets for this trade nationally.

Looking ahead to 2034, Construction Painter employment should expand by 3.8%. That translates to roughly 28,100 openings annually when you factor in retirements — enough to absorb most apprenticeship completers.

At 8,820 employed Construction Painters, Washington holds 4.2% of the national market. Enough critical mass for functional apprenticeship programs, though not as many options as the top-employing states.

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.

Apprenticeship seekers in Washington can contact any of 434 registered sponsors. Coverage is solid in metro areas, though rural regions may have fewer options for specific trades.

From $43,910 at the 10th percentile to $79,510 at the 90th, Construction Painter wages in Washington are fairly compressed. Flat wage structures are common in heavily unionized trades where pay scales are negotiated collectively.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Washington

434 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Washington. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
Grays Harbor Fire District #2 JATC Aberdeen
Grays Harbor P.U.D. No. 1 Apprenticeship Committee Aberdeen
WorkSource Grays Harbor Aberdeen
Construction Trades Training: Airway Heights Correctional Center (CTT) Airway Heights
Dakota Creek Industries Inc. Anacortes
THE TEMPLE OF GROOM BARBERSHOP LLC (Anacortes) Anacortes
R&S Electric Apprenticeship Training Cooperative Arlington
DM Stylists, LLC Auburn
Western Washington Operating Engineers Facilities Custodial Services Apprenticeship Committee Auburn
Western Washington Stationary Engineers Apprenticeship Committee Auburn
WorkSource Auburn Auburn
Northwest Line Construction Industry JATC Battle Ground
Power Line Clearance and Tree Trimmers Apprenticeship Committee Battle Ground
Tradesmen Apprenticeship & Comprehensive Training Battle Ground
Computing For All Pre-Apprenticeship Program Bellevue
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Carpenter Bellevue
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Construction Electrician Bellevue
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Construction Equipment Operator Bellevue
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Glazier Bellevue
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - HVAC Bellevue
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - LESCT/Residential Wireman Bellevue
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Laborer Bellevue
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Painter - Decorator Bellevue
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Plumber Bellevue
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Scaffold Erector Bellevue
+ 5 more sponsors in Washington

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Construction Painters earn in Washington?
Construction Painters in Washington earn a median salary of $58,520/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?
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.
What is the job outlook for Construction Painters?
Demand for Construction Painters is steady, with 3.8% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
Where can I apply for a Construction Painter apprenticeship in Washington?
There are 434 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Washington. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
Do Construction Painter apprentices get paid during training?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Washington, a first-year Construction Painter apprentice might earn around $29,260/yr (roughly half the $58,520 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 3-year program.

Construction Painter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Washington

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