Painters, Construction and Maintenance: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more

Painters apply paint, stain, and coatings to walls and ceilings, buildings, bridges, and other structures.

What do Painters, Construction and Maintenance do?

Painters typically do the following:

• Cover floors, furniture, and trim with drop cloths, tarps, and masking tape to protect surfaces
• Remove and replace pictures and outlet and switch covers
• Install scaffolding and raise ladders
• Fill holes and cracks with putty or plaster
• Prepare surfaces by scraping, wire brushing, or sanding to a smooth finish
• Calculate the size of the area to be painted and the amount of paint needed for the area
• Apply primers or sealers so the paint will stick to the surface
• Apply paint or other finishes, using hand brushes, rollers, or sprayers

Paints and other sealers protect surfaces from damage caused by weather, sunlight, and pollution.

There are several ways to apply paint to a surface, and painters must choose the correct tool for each job, such as a roller, power sprayer, or brush. Choosing the right tool typically depends on the type of surface to be painted and the characteristics of the paint to be used. Some employers require painters to provide their own equipment.

Painters may wear special safety equipment for a job. For example, painters working in confined spaces, such as the inside of a large storage tank, must wear self-contained suits to avoid inhaling toxic fumes. Some painters wear additional clothing and protective eyewear when operating abrasive blasters to remove old coatings. When painting bridges, ships, tall buildings, or oil rigs, painters may work from scaffolding or harnesses.