What is a painter helper and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Painter helpers usually work with master painters and get instructions from them. They may also handle minor painting works such as sanding, taping, and grinding. The responsibilities of a paint helper may also include mixing the paint to achieve the desired look and adding primer to it. After a day's job, the paint helper works to tidy up the workspace by removing tapes and leftover supplies. He/She also works to help maintain a safe environment for work and manage painting supplies and equipment.

There is no strict academic requirement for this role. With a high school diploma and some training, you are good for the job. A certificate from college or a trade school and a few years of experience will be an advantage. Also, a painter helper is required to have physical strength, technical skills and should be able to multitask and work in a team. The average salary of a painter helper is $39,246.

ScorePainter HelperUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $32,449

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.4

Growth Rate 1%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.88%

Asian 2.17%

Black or African American 9.93%

Hispanic or Latino 35.35%

Unknown 4.66%

White 47.01%

Gender

female 15.89%

male 84.11%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress Level
5.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.7

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.5

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Painter Helper career paths

Key steps to become a painter helper

  1. Explore painter helper education requirements

    Most common painter helper degrees

    High School Diploma

    55.0 %

    Diploma

    16.8 %

    Associate

    13.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific painter helper skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Safety Rules13.11%
    OSHA10.38%
    Painting Equipment9.20%
    Hazardous Waste7.15%
    Hazardous Materials6.43%
  3. Complete relevant painter helper training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New painter helpers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a painter helper based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real painter helper resumes.
  4. Research painter helper duties and responsibilities

    • Manage painting crews in both commercial and industrial environments from swing stage to high boom work.
    • Apply exterior caulking to building joints and seams, tape around windows and fixtures prior to painting walls.
    • Sand vehicle surfaces between coats of paint and primer in order to remove flaws and enhance adhesion for subsequent coats.
    • Apply paint and stencils to product per spec using high volume/low pressure sprayer.
  5. Prepare your painter helper resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your painter helper resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a painter helper resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Painter Helper Resume templates

    Build a professional Painter Helper resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Painter Helper resume.
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    Painter Helper Resume
  6. Apply for painter helper jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a painter helper job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Painter Helper Job

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Average painter helper salary

The average Painter Helper salary in the United States is $32,449 per year or $16 per hour. Painter helper salaries range between $21,000 and $48,000 per year.

Average Painter Helper Salary
$32,449 Yearly
$15.60 hourly

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How do painter helpers rate their job?

4.25/5

Based On 4 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Painter Helper reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

When you start a job that looks terrible and when you get done the customers look of satisfaction

Cons

Clean up lol


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Pros

The finished product! My work reflects my attention to detail and quality craftsmanship!

Cons

Not being able to work ! Whether it be weather related or delays of any kind!


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Cons

Well i cant say there are thing i dont like bout painting. It something that need dedication. All i dont like is Bad preparation when it comes to painting


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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