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Painter apprentice education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, painter apprentices don't need a college education. The most common degree for painter apprentices is high school diploma with 51% graduates, with only 16% painter apprentice graduates earning associate degree. Painter apprentices who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Clark College. Some good skills to have in this position include work ethic, coats and scaffolding.

Popular painter apprentice certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate , Painting Contractor Certification, or Master Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician. To improve painter apprentice qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in painter apprentice education paths.

What education do you need to become a painter apprentice?

What degree do you need to be a painter apprentice?

The most common degree for painter apprentices is high school diploma, with 51% of painter apprentices earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 16% and associate degree degree at 15%.
  • High School Diploma, 51%
  • Associate, 16%
  • Bachelor's, 15%
  • Diploma, 13%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a painter apprentice?

You should major in fine arts to become a painter apprentice. 15% of painter apprentices major in fine arts. Other common majors for a painter apprentice include business and general studies.

Best majors for painter apprentices

RankMajorPercentages
1Fine Arts15.5%
2Business15.1%
3General Studies13.7%
4Automotive Technology8.9%
5Criminal Justice7.7%

20 best online courses for painter apprentices

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1. Impressionism - Paint this Autumn painting in oil or acrylic

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4.2
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Learn Impressionism techniques creating this Autumn landscape painting. For total beginner through advanced painters...

2. Foundations for Mastering Watercolor Painting / FIRST STEPS

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4.9
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An in-depth, approachable look at painting materials that will make mastering the medium truly possible...

3. The Acrylic Painting Academy

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4.6
(1,350)

Get Started With Acrylic Painting...

4. Impressionism - Paint this Italy Scene in Oil or Acrylic

udemy
4.7
(443)

Learn Impressionism techniques by creating this Italian street painting. For total beginner through advanced painters...

5. Watercolor Painting For Intermediates I Techniques & Effects

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4.6
(880)

By Award Winning Artist I Taking Beginner Watercolor Painters To The Next Level I Wet On Wet Watercolor Painting...

6. Acrylic Painting for Beginners

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4.8
(687)

The Complete Guide to Your First Acrylic Painting...

7. The Oil Painting Process

udemy
4.8
(315)

A comprehensive, simplified look at how to build an oil painting, from substructure to varnish...

8. Acrylic Painting - Introduction to Acrylic Painting

udemy
4.6
(1,233)

An Introduction to Acrylic Painting For Beginners. Learn how to paint in Acrylics using the Moore Method of Painting...

9. The Digital Painting MEGA Course: Beginner to Advanced

udemy
4.5
(4,814)

Learn to paint in 7 different styles!...

10. Art Fundamentals: Foundations of Painting and Drawing Course

udemy
4.3
(1,206)

Learn the principles underlying how to draw, how to paint and how to communicate visually...

11. Hard Surface Modelling in Maya

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4.8
(272)

Model hard surface objects inside of Maya with proper topology and edge flow...

12. Painting Watercolors From Photographs The Easy Way

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4.5
(274)

Turn your photographs into lively watercolor paintings. Create light and atmosphere in easy steps using a simple palette...

13. Oil Painting Master Series

udemy
4.7
(681)

A complete course for artists wishing to get started with oil painting or further their skills and knowledge...

14. Watercolor Fast and Loose! Express yourself in your painting

udemy
4
(294)

Learn how to paint with freedom using the methods of seven masters of impressionist watercolor painting...

15. Learn to Paint With Impact

udemy
4.7
(806)

From ordinary to stunning paintings! What makes a painting stand out from the rest? Learn how to add impact to your art...

16. The Mechanics of Watercolor Painting / LEARN THE BASICS

udemy
4.8
(1,102)

A comprehensive approach to the fundamentals of watercolor painting by NWS Signature Artist...

17. How to Paint From Beginner to Master -Acrylic Painting-

udemy
4.8
(3,479)

Learn Acrylic Painting For all Skill Levels...

18. The Ultimate Digital Painting Course - Beginner to Advanced

udemy
4.5
(15,276)

Everything from drawing fundamentals to professional painting techniques...

19. Painting Machines: Concept Art Vehicles, Robots & Weapons

udemy
4.8
(847)

Learn Incredibly Cool Photoshop Painting Techniques to Create Professional Level Machine Art...

20. HOW TO PAINT FROM BEGINNER TO MASTER

udemy
4.7
(3,629)

Oil Painting For All Skill Levels...

Average painter apprentice salary by education level

According to our data, painter apprentices with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $37,836 annually. Painter apprentices with a High School Diploma degree earn an average annual salary of $37,787.
Painter apprentice education levelPainter apprentice salary
High School Diploma or Less$37,787
Bachelor's Degree$37,730
No Education$36,349
Some College/ Associate Degree$37,836

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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