House Painter

Your Fit

Income

$54K

Preparation

Some

Growth

1.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a House Painter?

A House Painter is a professional skilled in painting the interior and exterior of residential buildings. They prepare surfaces, select and apply paints, and ensure a high-quality finish to enhance the appearance and protect the structure.

Sample job titles:

Facilities Painter, Industrial Painter, Maintenance Painter, Painter

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with House Painter.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a House Painter earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is House Painter.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$41K per year	$46K per year	$54K per year	$70K per year	$83K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $11K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a House Painter do?

Work environment

House Painters typically work in residential settings, including new constructions, renovations, or maintenance projects. The work can be both indoors and outdoors, sometimes requiring work at heights or in various weather conditions. Safety measures are essential to protect against hazards like falls, chemical exposure, and repetitive motion injuries.

Quick task list

Prepares surfaces for painting, including cleaning, sanding, and repairing holes or cracks.
Selects and mixes paints to desired colors and consistency.
Applies paint to surfaces using brushes, rollers, or sprayers.
Ensures workspaces are protected and cleans up after job completion.
Adheres to safety protocols and handles paints and solvents properly.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Residential Interior Painting: Focusing on painting the interior of homes, including walls, ceilings, and trim.
Exterior Painting: Specializing in outdoor painting, including house siding, fences, and decks.
Decorative Painting: Applying artistic and decorative finishes, such as faux finishes or murals.
Restorative Painting: Specializing in restoring and repainting historic or older homes.
Green Painting: Using eco-friendly and non-toxic paints and methods.

Description

House painting is a profession that combines skill, aesthetics, and practical knowledge. Painters must understand various paint types, their applications, and how environmental factors affect paint performance. They need to be precise in their work, ensuring even application and sharp edges, especially in detailed or decorative work.

The occupation requires physical stamina, as it often involves standing for long periods, climbing ladders, and stretching to reach various surfaces. House painters must also possess good color vision to accurately mix and apply colors and an eye for detail to achieve a high-quality finish.

As trends and materials in the painting industry evolve, staying updated with new techniques, products, and safety standards is important. House painters may work independently, run their own businesses, or be employed by painting contractors or construction companies.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Transforming and enhancing the appearance of homes.
The opportunity for creative expression, especially in decorative painting.
Visible and tangible results of your work.
Flexibility in work environments and project types.

You might make a good House Painter if you are...

Detail-oriented with a steady hand and good eye for color.
Physically fit and comfortable with heights and various working conditions.
Enjoy working independently or in small teams.
Interested in learning various painting techniques and staying updated with trends.
Skilled in customer service and communication, especially if self-employed.

Pros:

Opportunity for creative work and self-employment.
Flexible working conditions and variety in projects.
Satisfaction from visibly transforming spaces.

Cons:

Physical demands and potential exposure to chemicals and fumes.
Seasonal fluctuations in work availability, especially for exterior painting.
Need for ongoing skill development to keep up with new materials and techniques.

How to become a House Painter

Typical education

Formal education beyond a high school diploma is not typically required. Most house painters learn their skills on the job or through an apprenticeship. Some may attend vocational training programs, which can last from a few months to a year.

High school preparation

Courses:

Art and design classes to develop an eye for color and aesthetics.
Shop classes or vocational training in painting and decorating.
Chemistry for understanding paint composition and properties.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in art clubs or community mural projects.
Volunteering for home-building or renovation projects, like those offered by Habitat for Humanity.
Engaging in physical activities or sports to build stamina and physical fitness.

Preparation after high school

Attending a vocational or trade school for professional painting training.
Entering an apprenticeship program to gain hands-on experience.
Seeking employment with a painting contractor to learn on the job.
Obtaining certifications in specialized painting techniques or green painting practices.

More resources

Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) - Offers education, certifications, and industry resources.
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) - Provides resources and information on residential construction, including painting.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Safety guidelines and best practices for painting professionals.
Eco-Friendly Painting Practices - Information on sustainable and environmentally friendly painting methods.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.