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What is a journeyman painter and how to become one
If you think you're a pretty good painter, then put your painting skills to the test as a journeyman painter. Journeyman painters apply paint or other finishes in residential, commercial, industrial, or other settings. In addition to painting, journeyman painters must prepare surfaces for painting. To do this, these painters frequently use wire brushes, sandpaper, or powered equipment that uses water or an abrasive to remove old paint and other debris.
Journeyman painters also apply primers to a surface to improve the paint's adherence to the surface or use a sealer to improve the paint's durability. They may use a variety of painting tools and equipment, including brushes, rollers, paint sprayers, and other power equipment. Journeyman painters may also use specialized equipment for certain situations, such as painting building exteriors, bridges, and other elevated structures.
Requirements to become a journeyman painter vary from state to state. However, community colleges, vocational schools, and labor unions provide training opportunities to become certified journeyman painters. You may also be able to learn the required skills through on-the-job training by assisting an experienced painter.
Avg. Salary $40,885
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 1%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.93%
Asian 2.53%
Black or African American 8.32%
Hispanic or Latino 32.38%
Unknown 4.88%
White 50.95%
Genderfemale 6.01%
male 93.99%
Age - 42American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 42Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Journeyman painter career paths
Key steps to become a journeyman painter
Explore journeyman painter education requirements
Start to develop specific journeyman painter skills
Skills Percentages Coats 13.71% Work Ethic 11.49% Exterior Surfaces 10.22% Scaffolding 10.08% Ladders 9.08% Complete relevant journeyman painter training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New journeyman painters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a journeyman painter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real journeyman painter resumes.Research journeyman painter duties and responsibilities
- Manage painting crews in both commercial and industrial environments from swing stage to high boom work.
- Apply materials with HVLP, airless, electro-static and conventional spray equipment.
- Smooth and sand surfaces to remove ridges, tool marks, glue, and caulking.
- Apply necessary masking and prep work prior to applying primer and finish coats to insure proper coating for any application.
Prepare your journeyman painter resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your journeyman painter resume.
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Apply for journeyman painter jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a journeyman painter job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first journeyman painter job
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Average journeyman painter salary
The average journeyman painter salary in the United States is $40,885 per year or $20 per hour. Journeyman painter salaries range between $26,000 and $62,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do journeyman painters rate their job?
Journeyman painter reviews
When you start a job that looks terrible and when you get done the customers look of satisfaction
Clean up lol
The finished product! My work reflects my attention to detail and quality craftsmanship!
Not being able to work ! Whether it be weather related or delays of any kind!
I love painting. Painting has been my dream from young age. I grew up watching pimp my ride but painting was the first thing i fell in love with
Well i cant say there are thing i dont like bout painting. It something that need dedication. All i dont like is Bad preparation when it comes to painting
Updated January 8, 2025
