How to become painters, construction and maintenanceeducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Construction Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$49,400

25th–75th pct. $44,640–$61,660

Top pay (est.)

$102,500

Top 10% $78,810

Pay in 5 years

$58,000est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$68,100est.

$58,500–$79,000

Outlook score

66/100

★★★☆☆ Good

AI replacement risk

Very low

Job growth (10 yr)

+3.0%

25K openings / yr

How to become painters, construction and maintenance

Typical education

No formal educational credential

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Painters, Construction and Maintenance

Key skills

Critical Thinking

3.0

Active Listening

3.0

Coordination

2.9

Time Management

2.8

Reading Comprehension

2.8

Social Perceptiveness

2.6

Monitoring

2.6

Management of Personnel Resources

2.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Administration and Management

3.6

Education and Training

3.0

Chemistry

2.9

Public Safety and Security

2.7

Customer and Personal Service

2.6

Building and Construction

2.5

Mechanical

2.2

Mathematics

2.2

What the work involves

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesScheduling Work and Activities

Important abilities

Trunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationFar VisionNear VisionOral ExpressionStatic Strength

Education of workers

Post-doctoral training

Training before entry

None / short demo

47%

1–2 years

17%

2–4 years

16%

1–3 months

15%

3–6 months

Over 10 years

Related work experience

Over 10 years

2–4 years

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as painters, construction and maintenance

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Construction Laborers Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites.	$47,120	67/100	8%
2	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.	$79,920	71/100	16%
3	Electricians Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.	$63,190	78/100	7%
4	Carpenters Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors.	$60,580	67/100	9%
5	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement.	$59,850	58/100	15%
6	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases.	$63,800	76/100	7%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.