Part of a painter's expertise is knowing when and use painting tools.
When moving into a new home or performing renovations, homeowners, apartment owners and building managers seek out painters and paperhangers to professionally finish their walls. Although it may seem that painting is an easy job, painters train extensively to develop expertise in mixing and matching colors, and choosing the correct paint for the building surfaces and materials.
Function
Painters are trained to apply paint, varnish, stain and other finishes to walls, ceilings and furniture in office buildings and residences. They also paint the outside of commercial buildings, industrial structures and private homes, and use finishes that protect against erosion, dirt and bad weather. Part of a painter's job is to clean the building's surface, fill holes and remove nails, and scrape off old paint before applying new coats.
Education
A high school diploma is usually required for painting apprenticeships and training programs. These programs are offered by union-management committees and provide a minimum of 144 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training. Trainees learn about painting techniques, color palettes, paint materials and consistencies, and tools used in the trade. Some technical and vocational schools combine painting programs with paperhanging. While shadowing more experienced painters, trainees learn work with ladders, scaffolds and painting equipment.
Skills
Painters must know work with materials and surfaces such as metal, brick, wood, stone and plaster. These professionals should also be knowledgeable about painting techniques such as spackling, distressing, sheen striping, rag-rolling, marbling and sponging. Good manual dexterity, vision and attention to detail are all qualities that employers look for when hiring painters.
Salary
The average salary for painters in the United States was $38,359 according to a November 2009 Salary.com report. Median hourly wages for painters in the construction and maintenance industries were $15.85 based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2008 "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition."
Potential
As workers leave and retire from the occupation, employers will need to hire painters to fill open positions in areas such as the Gulf Coast region. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that painter jobs will increase 7 percent during the 2008 to 2018 decade, despite short-term construction projects and recessionary periods. Industrial painters will also be in demand, since this type of work is available throughout the United States.
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