Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to finish exterior and interior structural surfaces by applying protective or decorative coating materials, such as paint, lacquer, and wallpaper. Includes instruction in surface preparation; selecting, preparing, and applying paints and other coatings; hanging wallpaper; equipment operation and maintenance; finish selection; safety and clean-up; environmental effects on finishes; adhesion properties; and applicable codes and standards.
- Schools offering
- 3
- Annual completions
- 11
- Typical degree level
- Associate's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $71k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to finish exterior and interior structural surfaces by applying protective or decorative coating materials, such as paint, lacquer, and wallpaper. Includes instruction in surface preparation; selecting, preparing, and applying paints and other coatings; hanging wallpaper; equipment operation and maintenance; finish selection; safety and clean-up; environmental effects on finishes; adhesion properties; and applicable codes and standards.
Examples of specialized tracks: Painting (Commercial), Painter and Decorator, Painter and Decorator, Commercial and Residential.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers | $79k | +5.3% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Painters, construction and maintenance | $49k | +3.8% | No formal educational credential |
| Paperhangers | $48k | +5.3% | No formal educational credential |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$71k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$65k
Bachelor's
$87k
Top colleges for Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix, AZ | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland, OH | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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