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Painter apprentice vs journeyman painter

The differences between painter apprentices and journeyman painters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes More than 10 years to become both a painter apprentice and a journeyman painter. Additionally, a journeyman painter has an average salary of $40,885, which is higher than the $37,030 average annual salary of a painter apprentice.

The top three skills for a painter apprentice include work ethic, coats and scaffolding. The most important skills for a journeyman painter are coats, work ethic, and exterior surfaces.

Painter apprentice vs journeyman painter overview

Painter ApprenticeJourneyman Painter
Yearly salary$37,030$40,885
Hourly rate$17.80$19.66
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs9,6128,020
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 49%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a painter apprentice do?

Painter Apprentices work for an organization either full time or part-time while undertaking formal training on the job. Their duties include working out needed materials quantity through job specifications, drawings, or surface measurements, and erecting structures to protect the area from paint such as ladders, scaffoldings, and drop sheets. Painter Apprentices are responsible for removing old paint, preparing surfaces, selecting paints, rolling, brushing, and spraying paint, wallpapering, and putting on decorative finishes such as marbling, color glaze, and stencils.

What does a journeyman painter do?

A Journeyman Painter specializes in painting walls and other surfaces according to project needs. Aside from applying paint, a journeyman painter is also responsible for cleaning and scraping off the dirt to prepare the painting procedures, identify client preferences, select equipment, and technique, and apply other finishes. They must also monitor their supplies and maintain the cleanliness of their work areas. Moreover, a Journeyman Painter typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Painter apprentice vs journeyman painter salary

Painter apprentices and journeyman painters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Painter ApprenticeJourneyman Painter
Average salary$37,030$40,885
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $47,000Between $26,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASacramento, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyComtech TelecommunicationsUniversity of Southern California
Best paying industryConstructionAutomotive

Differences between painter apprentice and journeyman painter education

There are a few differences between a painter apprentice and a journeyman painter in terms of educational background:

Painter ApprenticeJourneyman Painter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 49%
Most common majorFine ArtsFine Arts
Most common college--

Painter apprentice vs journeyman painter demographics

Here are the differences between painter apprentices' and journeyman painters' demographics:

Painter ApprenticeJourneyman Painter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 87.3% Female, 12.7%Male, 94.0% Female, 6.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 32.1% Asian, 2.5% White, 51.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 32.4% Asian, 2.5% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between painter apprentice and journeyman painter duties and responsibilities

Painter apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Manage painting crews in both commercial and industrial environments from swing stage to high boom work.
  • Used HVLP spray gun to paint truck and horse trailer.
  • Conduct job performance evaluations, JHA, and JSA.
  • Operate scissor lifts and boom lifts to mask various airplanes for paint process.
  • Conduct QA and QC in accordance to QP-1 & QP-2 standards and requirements.
  • Apply tape, paper and stencils as well as remove them after paint has been apply.
  • Show more

Journeyman painter example 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.
  • Climb ladders and complete work utilizing rollers with extensions requiring repetitive motion.
  • Use special finishing techniques such as sponging, ragging, layering, or faux finishing.
  • Show more

Painter apprentice vs journeyman painter skills

Common painter apprentice skills
  • Work Ethic, 24%
  • Coats, 15%
  • Scaffolding, 12%
  • Exterior Surfaces, 11%
  • Direct Supervision, 11%
  • Caulking, 3%
Common journeyman painter skills
  • Coats, 14%
  • Work Ethic, 11%
  • Exterior Surfaces, 10%
  • Scaffolding, 10%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%

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