Painters, Construction and Maintenance Career, Salary and Skills
Painters, Construction and Maintenance have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $49,400 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 225,190. Wage data is published for 415 locations.
Occupation description
Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.
O*NET code
47-2141.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$49,400
Hourly median
$23.75
Employment
225,190
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Time Management | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Active Listening | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Coordination | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.75 | 2.00 |
| Speaking | 2.38 | 2.00 |
| Service Orientation | 2.38 | 2.00 |
Typical tasks
- Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors or homeowners to determine work requirements.
- Apply paint, stain, varnish, enamel, or other finishes to equipment, buildings, bridges, or other structures, using brushes, spray guns, or rollers.
- Fill cracks, holes, or joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.
- Smooth surfaces, using sandpaper, scrapers, brushes, steel wool, or sanding machines.
- Erect scaffolding or swing gates, or set up ladders, to work above ground level.
- Wash and treat surfaces with oil, turpentine, mildew remover, or other preparations, and sand rough spots to ensure that finishes will adhere properly.
- Apply primers or sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare wood or metal, for finish coats.
- Cover surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.
Technology
- Act!
- Corel Paint Shop Pro
- Corel Painter
- Evergreen Technology Eagle Bid Estimating
- Evergreen Technology Total Faux
- Insight Direct ServiceCEO
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- On Center Quick Bid
- Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
Painters, Construction and Maintenance salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in CAMedian $59,020 · Employment 38,430
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in FLMedian $47,530 · Employment 22,450
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in TXMedian $45,460 · Employment 18,330
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in NYMedian $59,570 · Employment 13,040
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $59,080 · Employment 12,100
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in New York, NYMedian $61,420 · Employment 11,930
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in WAMedian $59,650 · Employment 9,510
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in ILMedian $61,260 · Employment 6,820
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in Miami, FLMedian $48,490 · Employment 6,210
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in PAMedian $52,120 · Employment 5,980
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in VAMedian $47,470 · Employment 5,930
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance Salary in OHMedian $49,450 · Employment 5,600
Related careers
- Construction LaborersNational median $47,120
- Brickmasons and BlockmasonsNational median $62,120
- Helpers--CarpentersNational median $43,780
- Cement Masons and Concrete FinishersNational median $57,020
- Tile and Stone SettersNational median $55,690
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard TilesNational median $56,460
- Terrazzo Workers and FinishersNational median $76,170
- Helpers--RoofersNational median $44,160
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.