RUReadyND - Career Profile

Painter

AVG. SALARY

$55,960

EDUCATION

No standard requirement

JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

About This Career

Paints 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.

This career is part of the Construction cluster Skilled Trades pathway.

A person in this career:

Covers surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.
Reads work orders or receives instructions from supervisors or homeowners to determine work requirements.
Applies paint, stain, varnish, enamel, or other finishes to equipment, buildings, bridges, or other structures, using brushes, spray guns, or rollers.
Fills cracks, holes, or joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.
Smooths surfaces, using sandpaper, scrapers, brushes, steel wool, or sanding machines.
Erects scaffolding or swing gates, or sets up ladders, to work above ground level.
Washes and treats surfaces with oil, turpentine, mildew remover, or other preparations, and sands rough spots to ensure that finishes will adhere properly.
Applies primers or sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare wood or metal, for finish coats.
Calculates amounts of required materials and estimates costs, based on surface measurements or work orders.
Removes old finishes by stripping, sanding, wire brushing, burning, or using water or abrasive blasting.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

You would often handle loads up to 20 lbs., sometimes up to 50 lbs. You might do a lot of lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
Work in this occupation involves bending or twisting your body more than one-third of the time
Work in this occupation requires climbing things such as ladders, scaffold, and poles more than one-third of the time
Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
Work in this occupation involves walking or running more than one-third of the time
Work at heights above 8 feet more than once a month on structures such as ladders, poles, scaffolding, and catwalks

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

Maintaining a body position that prevents falling when in an unstable position
Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
Moving the arms, legs and torso together when the whole body is in motion
Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
Seeing clearly up close
Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

Facilities Painter
Highway Painter
House Painter
Industrial Painter
Maintenance Painter