Career Categories Below this heading you will see a row of icons and names. This navigation allows you to view all the careers within a single category. When you choose a different category it will become highlighted.

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Painter and Decorator Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors icon that represents where Painter and Decorator work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Painter and Decorator. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Painter and Decorator click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Interior and Exterior Construction

Painter and Decorator

work indoors

Painters and decorators apply paint, wall coverings, and other finishes to the interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Shop; Social Studies

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Painters and decorators are employed by contractors involved in new construction, repair, alteration, or remodelling work, and organizations that own or manage large buildings such as apartment complexes or schools. Many painters and decorators are self-employed.

    Although there is indoor painting to do in the winter, the work is seasonal to some extent. Employment prospects are also affected by economic conditions, particularly conditions in the construction industry.

  • DutiesDetails

    In general, painters and decorators:

    • Measure surfaces or read customer paper work to figure out how much and what type of material is needed to complete the work.
    • Strip away old materials with solvents, heat, sanding, wire brushing, or water.
    • Sand blasting clean surfaces for new paint.
    • Fill nail holes and cracks, and sand rough spots.
    • Apply an undercoat primer or sealer before painting.
    • Apply sizing before wallpapering.
    • Use premixed paints, or mix colour and pigment, oil, and thinning and drying additives.
    • Use brushes, rollers or spray guns to apply paint, stain or varnish to wood, metal, brick, concrete, plaster, stucco or stone.
    • Sandblast and apply industrial coatings.
    • Use creative painting methods using sponges, rags or layers.
    • Apply paper, natural and man-made fabric wall coverings.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Homes.
      • Businesses.
      • public buildings.
      • Stand for long periods.
      • Work with arms up for long periods.
      • Risk of falling from ladders, scaffolds or swing stages.
      • Risk of injury working with hazardous chemicals, fumes, paint thinners, paint removers.
    • Outdoors
      • Homes.
      • Businesses.
      • Public buildings.
      • Stand for long periods.
      • Work with arms above head for long periods.
      • Risk of falling from ladders, scaffolds or swing stages.
      • Risk of injury working with hazardous chemicals, fumes, paint thinners, paint removers.

    Hours:

    • Flexible hours.
    • Usually schedule work to be indoors during cold months and outdoors during warmer seasons.
    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • May need to work overtime to meet deadlines.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • up to 20 kilograms.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • good colour sense.
    • Work well with hands.
    • Able to work at heights.
    • Able to move heavy ladders or set up scaffolding.
    • Willing to keep up to date with new products.
    • Desire to do precise work.
    • Enjoy work that involves variety and creativity.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.
    • Your employer believes your skills and knowledge are the same as a journeyperson.
    • You are self-employed in this trade.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-3 or equivalent.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 3 years.
    • 1300 work hours.
    • 8 weeks classroom training.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.
    • Time of year.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 5,800 Albertans work in this category.
    • Expect below average growth of 2.0% from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta.
    • Forecast 116 new positions each year.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $16 to $30 an hour plus benefits (2014 estimates). Apprentices earn 55 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 75 per cent in the second and 85 per cent in the third.

    According to the 2013 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in this occupational group earned on average from $19.34 to $27.32 an hour. The overall average wage for this group was $23.47 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails

    For more information on career planning, education, and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, or call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.