Painters and Paperhangers
Overview
Introduction
Building surfaces are often painted and decorated with various types of coverings for aesthetic appeal and to provide a layer of surface protection. Painters apply paints, varnishes, enamels, epoxy and other types of finishes; often they also prep the surface, which can involve powerwashing, lead containment, fixing wall imperfections, spackling, and caulking. Painters also use steamers to remove wallpaper before painting.
Paperhangers cover interior walls and ceilings with decorative paper, fabric, vinyls, and other...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Painters who work on exterior painting tend to be busier in the warmer and drier months, causing a painter, like many craftsmen, to have seasonally fluctuating income. In May 2018, the median annual salary of painters in construction and maintenance was $38,940, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,970 annually, and the top 10 percent earne...
Work Environment
Most painters and paperhangers have a standard 40-hour workweek if they are an employee and often work longer hours during warmer months if they own their own business. Their work requires them to climb, lift, bend, and stand for long periods of time. Painters work both indoors and outdoors, because their job may entail painting interior surfaces as well as exterior siding and other areas; pape...
Outlook
Employment of painters is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Increased construction will generate a need for more painters to work on new buildings and industrial structures. However, this will also lead to increased competition among self-employed painters and painting contractors for the better jobs. Newer type...