Structural steel painter vs lead painter

The differences between structural steel painters and lead 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 structural steel painter and a lead painter. Additionally, a structural steel painter has an average salary of $43,093, which is higher than the $40,823 average annual salary of a lead painter.

The top three skills for a structural steel painter include scaffolding, cranes and ladders. The most important skills for a lead painter are XRF, safety procedures, and OSHA.

Structural steel painter vs lead painter overview

	Structural Steel Painter	Lead Painter
Yearly salary	$43,093	$40,823
Hourly rate	$20.72	$19.63
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	7,260	5,163
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 44%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

Structural steel painter vs lead painter salary

Structural steel painters and lead painters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Structural Steel Painter	Lead Painter
Average salary	$43,093	$40,823
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $73,000	Between $24,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between structural steel painter and lead painter education

There are a few differences between a structural steel painter and a lead painter in terms of educational background:

	Structural Steel Painter	Lead Painter
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Structural steel painter vs lead painter demographics

Here are the differences between structural steel painters' and lead painters' demographics:

	Structural Steel Painter	Lead Painter
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%	Male, 91.5% Female, 8.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 35.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 48.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 28.4% Asian, 2.1% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between structural steel painter and lead painter duties and responsibilities

Structural steel painter example responsibilities.

Have ability to work at heights using ladders, scaffolding and aerial platforms.
Certify in respiratory safety, used airless suits, set up swing scaffolding, safety lines, and harnesses.
Supervise painters, daily operation of scissor lift, ladders, assemble scaffolds for use, and daily clean up.
Mask and unmask require areas to facilitate corrosion removal or painting operations.
Operate eighteen ton boom crane.
Participate in company leadership team to determine and implement need mechanical upgrades.

Lead painter example responsibilities.

Manage painting crews in both commercial and industrial environments from swing stage to high boom work.
Set up portable equipment such as ventilators, exhaust units, ladders, and scaffolding.
Use of proper PPE per chemical uses.
Verify adherence to ISO requirements and quality control standards.
Prime, paint and detail/finishing techniques using HVLP automotive paint systems.
Maintain the utmost compliance with ISO and other operating standards and procedures.

Structural steel painter vs lead painter skills

Common structural steel painter skills

Scaffolding, 32%
Cranes, 24%
Ladders, 13%
Coats, 9%
Surface Preparation, 9%
Airless Spray, 5%

Common lead painter skills

XRF, 9%
Safety Procedures, 9%
OSHA, 8%
Coats, 8%
Caulking, 8%
Exterior Painting, 6%

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Structural Steel Painter vs Lead Painter

Updated January 8, 2025

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