Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Painters, construction and maintenance work in a trade with a notable national presence and steady projected demand. With national employment of 342,000 workers and projected growth of 3.8%, this career offers ongoing opportunities across the country. The national median annual salary of $48,660 provides a clear benchmark for typical earnings, with higher medians available in some states and metro areas. The field combines hands-on work with skills such as physical strength and stamina, fine motor abilities, and attention to customer service and interpersonal interaction. Leadership and project management skills can also play a role, especially on larger jobs. Typical entry does not require a formal educational credential, which can make this pathway accessible for people who want to enter the workforce quickly or change careers. For those exploring related paths, similar occupations include insulation workers (mechanical), rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators, roofers, plasterers and stucco masons, and helpers—roofers.
The national median annual salary for painters, construction and maintenance is $48,660, but pay varies by location. Several states offer higher median salaries, including Washington at $59,650, New York at $59,570, California at $59,020, and Massachusetts at $57,510. Colorado’s median salary of $52,970 also stands above the national median. At the metro level, pay can be even higher. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro shows a median salary of $63,600, while San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is at $61,970 and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $61,420. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH offers $57,820 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV offers $50,560. These differences indicate that painters who are open to working in specific states or metro areas may access higher earnings potential, especially in the highlighted California and New York markets.
Painters, construction and maintenance have a sizable national workforce and a projected growth rate that signals continued demand. National employment stands at 342,000, with projected employment growth of 3.8%. This growth is paired with an estimated 28,000 annual openings, suggesting regular opportunities for both new entrants and experienced workers seeking new positions. The combination of existing employment size and steady projected expansion can be appealing for individuals who value a trade with ongoing hiring activity. Because the occupation does not require a formal educational credential, it may also attract people looking for a relatively direct path into a skilled trade. For career explorers comparing options in related areas, similar occupations include insulation workers (mechanical), rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators, roofers, plasterers and stucco masons, and helpers—roofers, each of which will have its own employment trends and conditions to consider separately.
Location can significantly shape opportunity for painters, construction and maintenance, with certain states and metro areas standing out. Among states, California has the highest employment at 38,430 and a median salary of $59,020, with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York offers a median salary of $59,570 and employment of 13,040, with an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts combines a median salary of $57,510 and employment of 4,430, earning an opportunity score of 65.87. Colorado and Washington both show growth of 3.8%, with median salaries of $52,970 and $59,650 and opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29, respectively. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (opportunity score 77.42) and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (77.27) rank highest, both with median salaries above $61,000. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA also stands out with a median of $63,600 and an opportunity score of 68.75, indicating particularly strong conditions among highlighted metros.
Painters, construction and maintenance typically enter the field without a formal educational credential. This makes the occupation accessible to people who prefer to start working directly rather than pursue extended schooling. While there is no formal education requirement, success in this career still depends on building and applying a broad set of skills. Physical strength and stamina, along with fine motor abilities, are central to performing the work effectively. Mechanical skills and basic mathematics can support more precise and efficient job performance. Interpersonal and customer service skills help when interacting with clients or coworkers, and leadership and project management abilities can become more important for those overseeing jobs or teams. Creativity and innovation, as well as a grounding in science where relevant, round out the skill profile. Together, these skills provide multiple avenues for growth and increased responsibility over time, even without formal educational credentials.
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