Home / USA Jobs / Painter

Painter

Painter roles in the U.S. construction market focus on high-quality surface preparation and consistent finish standards: masking, patching, sanding, priming, and applying coatings with brush/roller or spray. Exact terms (state, schedule, start date, tools, and compensation) depend on the hiring employer and project cycle. CV is required for review.

CV is mandatory: candidates without a CV are not reviewed.
Create / Upload CV Contact
Sector: Construction & Trades Typical route: EB-3/H-2B Work type: Temporary or permanent Last updated: January 1, 2026
How employers define “Painter”: some sites use titles like Residential Painter, Commercial Painter, Coating Applicator, or Maintenance Painter. The core skill is finish quality—clean lines, correct prep, and consistent coating thickness.

Short candidate portrait (who succeeds in this role)

Strong fit if you are…

  • Precise with edges, cut-ins, and touch-ups (finish quality is visible)
  • Patient with preparation (masking, patching, sanding, priming)
  • Comfortable working on ladders/scaffolds and moving between rooms/levels
  • Reliable with attendance and able to keep pace with a crew schedule

You will stand out if you…

  • Have commercial experience (spray work, large surfaces, punch lists)
  • Can do basic drywall repair: fill, sand, feather, spot-prime
  • Understand coatings: primer vs. finish, stain-blocking, moisture protection
  • Keep a clean work zone and protect surfaces (floors, trim, fixtures)
Painter hiring is often “quality-first”: speed helps, but sloppy prep or visible defects typically end assignments early.

Requirements (detailed)

Non-negotiables (most employers)

  1. CV in English with accurate phone/email (required for review)
  2. Practical English for safety and instructions (signs, briefings, supervisor direction)
  3. Ability to work safely at heights (ladders/scaffolds) and follow site rules
  4. Finish discipline: clean masking, careful cut-ins, controlled roll marks, neat cleanup
  5. Physical readiness for bending, kneeling, reaching, carrying materials, and repetitive motion
What “ready for site” means: you can protect surfaces, prep correctly, apply coatings consistently, and leave the area clean enough to hand over to the next trade.

Strong advantages (boosts placement options)

  • Interior + exterior experience (wood, drywall, masonry, metal surfaces)
  • Spray experience (airless) and safe handling of equipment (role-dependent)
  • Basic repair: caulking, patching, sanding profiles, minor trim touch-up
  • Understanding of ventilation/PPE and safe cleanup of dust and debris
  • Consistent employment history in construction or finishing trades
Note: additional requirements may apply by state, employer, and site policy.

Pay snapshot (gross) & what moves the rate

Painter pay varies substantially by location and by whether the work is residential repaint, commercial interiors, or structural/industrial coatings. The benchmarks below are national references (gross). Employers may pay higher rates for spray skills, commercial finishing experience, or work at heights.

Benchmark (USA) Gross wage How to interpret
Median (hourly) $23.40 / hour Half earn less, half earn more (national benchmark)
Typical spread (approx. 10th–90th) ~ $17.63 – $36.80 / hour Represents entry-level to highly experienced painters across markets
Median (annual) $48,660 / year Useful for comparing offers when weekly hours are stable
All figures shown are gross. Actual offers depend on state, employer type, and project requirements.
Common schedule: 40 hrs/week (site-dependent)
Overtime: may be offered during peak phases (not guaranteed)
Rate drivers: commercial work, spray skills, quality track record
Reality check: prep quality often decides who stays on the crew
Tip for comparing offers: convert everything to hourly gross + expected weekly hours. Ask whether materials/tools are provided and whether travel between sites is required.

Core painting tasks

  • Protect surfaces: cover floors, furniture, fixtures, trim; tape and mask precisely
  • Prepare substrates: scrape, sand, degloss, caulk; spot-prime repairs
  • Apply primer and finish coats using brush/roller; maintain even coverage
  • Detail work: cut-ins, corners, trim touch-ups, clean edges

Commercial / production variant

  • Large-area rolling with consistent technique (avoid lap marks and flashing)
  • Spray work (role-dependent): set up, protect overspray zones, maintain safe hose control
  • Punch lists: fast corrections without reintroducing defects
  • Coordination with other trades to meet schedule handoffs
Commercial sites often measure quality by light reflection, lines, and uniform texture.

Finish quality checklist

  • Edges straight, no bleed-through, no visible brush “flags”
  • Uniform coat with correct sheen; no runs/sags or dry spray
  • Clean lines at ceilings/trim; hardware and floors protected
  • Work area left clean (dust control matters on active sites)
A “clean handover” is a major success metric for painters.

Common U.S. work conditions

  • Indoor and outdoor work depending on season and project phase
  • Frequent ladder/scaffold use; overhead reach and kneeling are typical
  • Time pressure near deadlines (unit turns, punch-out, inspections)
  • Site rules on housekeeping, dust control, and protected areas

Safety expectations (non-negotiable)

  • PPE compliance: eye/hand protection; respirator rules when required
  • Ventilation practices and safe handling of coatings/solvents
  • Safe ladder/scaffold behavior and hazard reporting
  • Clean, organized work zone to prevent trips and finish contamination
Employers typically evaluate safety discipline immediately during onboarding.

What employers often provide

  • Materials and coatings (brand/spec depends on client)
  • Basic PPE requirements (site-dependent)
  • Training on site rules and finish standards
  • Tools may be provided or partially required from workers (employer policy)
Your CV should clarify what tools/techniques you have actually used.

A realistic “day as a painter” (how good crews work)

On a well-run U.S. site, the painter’s day starts before the first coat: walking the area, identifying surface issues, confirming which surfaces must stay clean, and planning masking so other trades can keep moving. The strongest crews treat preparation as the job—not a delay. They patch and feather repairs, spot-prime, and only then commit to finish coats.

Once painting begins, speed matters, but control matters more. A clean cut-in line, correct roller technique, and consistent sheen prevent rework. Late in the shift, crews often “punch” their own work: they scan under strong light, fix holidays, remove tape correctly, and leave the space ready for inspection or handover. That last 30 minutes—cleaning and detail—often separates painters who get called back from those who do not.

Next steps (typical hiring flow)

  1. Create/upload your CV (English) and ensure contact details are correct.
  2. We screen for painting scope, finish discipline, safety readiness, and site reliability.
  3. If shortlisted, we match you with available projects and employer requirements.
  4. Employer interview/screening may follow (site-dependent).
  5. Documentation steps depend on the employer and the authorization route.
Apply with CV Browse all roles
Visa & authorization disclaimer: Any U.S. work authorization path (e.g., H-2A, H-2B, EB-3) depends on the hiring employer, eligibility, and official procedures. This page is informational and not legal advice. Do not make travel decisions without confirmed employer documentation.

FAQ

Is painting in the USA mostly interior or exterior?
Both exist. Interior work is common year-round; exterior work can be seasonal depending on climate and project timing. Flexibility increases placement options.
What skills matter most in the first week on site?
Masking discipline, surface prep, clean cut-ins, and housekeeping. Employers often judge painters by how well they protect surfaces and how little rework their area produces.
Do employers expect spray experience?
Not always. Spray skills are valuable for commercial production work, but many roles start with prep and rolling/detail. If you do have spray experience, specify the type (airless), surfaces, and safety practices.
What does “finish quality” typically mean?
Straight lines, uniform sheen, no runs/sags, controlled roller texture, and clean handover (no paint on hardware/floors). Quality is often checked under strong light or at close range.
Are tools provided?
Many employers provide materials and major equipment. Some expect workers to have basic hand tools. Your CV should clearly state what you own and what you have used professionally.
Is overtime guaranteed?
No. Overtime depends on project deadlines and employer policy. Evaluate offers using hourly gross wage plus expected weekly hours.
What should my CV include to be reviewed?
List project types (residential/commercial), scope (prep, patching, priming, finish coats), surfaces, and any spray experience. Add safety readiness (heights, PPE discipline) and stable work history.

Related roles in Construction & Trades

Use these internal links to compare similar roles before applying.

Visa & authorization disclaimer: Any U.S. work authorization path (e.g., H-2A, H-2B, EB-3) depends on the hiring employer, eligibility and official procedures. This page is informational and not legal advice.