what is a painter?
As a painter or decorator, you use various tools and materials to improve the texture and appearance of surfaces. The job typically involves painting interior and exterior surfaces using varnishes, paint, stains or sealers. You scrape off old paint, use sandpaper to smoothen the surfaces or add filler to seal holes in the walls of old buildings.
what does a painter do?
Painters work in construction companies, which means they decorate both commercial and residential properties. In building maintenance companies, your job often includes applying wallpaper, adding vinyl wall fabrics and other types of installation to improve the appearance of interior surfaces.
To become a successful painter, you need an excellent eye for colour to ensure the correct mixing and application of colours. Sometimes, you blend colours and other materials to get the right texture or shade for your working surfaces.
As a painter, you often work alongside construction crews. It is important to meet project deadlines and ensure that quality standards are adhered to by using high-quality products, staying within project budgets, and avoiding wasting resources.
painter jobsaverage salary of a painter
A painter takes home an average remuneration package of $63,000 per year. Your earnings usually range from $55,000 to $70,000 annually, based on your experience level. When you are new to the role, you are likely to earn less due to your limited skills, while professional painters attract higher salaries because of their expertise.
what factors influence the salary of a painter?
The remuneration package of a painter is determined by the project size and the complexity of the role. With extensive experience, you can negotiate a higher salary due to your expertise. However, entry-level painters with limited experience earn a low salary.
Painting commercial buildings usually pays more than working on residential projects. Hence, you can demand higher remuneration for working on complex projects like industrial equipment painting. The hours you work also influence your earnings. For instance, full-time painters usually take home higher hourly rates than part-time painters and decorators.
Want to know what you will earn as a painter? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of painters
Becoming a painter doesn't mean you are limited to painting walls and surfaces. The various types of painters include the following:
- industrial painters: as an industrial painter, you improve the aesthetics of industrial structures during construction. Your job usually involves finishing the exterior of a building and adding paint to make it visually appealing.
- decorative painters: as a decorative painter, you use paint to enhance the interior appearance of a house. You blend colours to create a contemporary look or a traditional appearance.
- designer painters: your painting skills don't have to be limited to building interiors. You can expand your expertise to work in fashion and interior design. You produce wall finishes like wallpapers and decorative poster designs or fabric patterns.
- restoration painters: you clean, prepare, and retouch old works of art as a restoration painter. You need exceptional skills to return old paintings to their original state. Additional training is often required to become a restoration painter.
working as a painter
Working as a painter involves decorating walls and surfaces to make them attractive and appealing. Let's explore the flexible work schedules and stimulating working environments of painters.
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duties and responsibilities
The specific duties of a painter depend on the project and employer, but some typical responsibilities include:
- evaluating the condition and size of work surfaces: before you start working on a project, assess the state of the surfaces and determine the preliminary work required. You can estimate the cost and time necessary to complete the tasks from your initial assessment.
- preparing the work area: when you are ready to start painting, install scaffold towers and set up work platforms. It is also important to protect the area that doesn't require painting. For instance, if you are painting the interior of a house, cover the furniture and floors and remove items hanging on the walls.
- preparing the surface to be painted: as a painter, you ensure smooth, even, clean surfaces. Your job is to seal damaged areas and fill the cracks caused by deteriorated plaster for external walls. Use scrapers to smoothen the surfaces in case of old paint or wallpapers. It is also necessary to fill in crevices and holes in the walls using sealants or plaster. Sometimes, you apply a new base layer.
- choosing the ideal paint: you are responsible for choosing suitable paint for every room and surface. Your client may provide the colour scheme, but sometimes you use your creativity in colour selection. The type of paint also matters since it affects the quality of the finish.
- cleaning the work area after painting: when you finish painting, remove the protective covers and dismantle the support structures. It is important to ensure your work area and tools are clean.
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work environment
As a painter, you work on various interior and exterior surfaces, including the walls, ceilings and facades of buildings and structures. You may work with specialists like glaziers and plumbers, under the supervision of the maintenance supervisor. Therefore, your work environment depends on the project you are working on and its location. If you are painting a bridge or an industrial facility, the work environment may be outdoors and sometimes in harsh weather conditions. You often need protective equipment due to the dust and paint fumes.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include decorators, plumbers, construction labourers and spraypainters. You might also be working in close proximity to interior designers and trades assistants, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, project managers, electricians, carpenters, construction managers and construction workers.
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work schedule
Painters and decorators often enjoy flexible working hours depending on the projects. You usually work during the day, but some projects require you to work at night. Typically, painters work between 42 to 44 hours a week, but sometimes you work overtime or weekends to meet deadlines.
As a painter, you can work in a full-time or part-time position. Most large companies offer full-time and part-time jobs depending on the projects. Some painters also work on a contract basis. The job involves travelling to work on different projects.
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job outlook
You have multiple career progression options when you are a painter. For instance, you can work as a handyman or improve your experience and become a team supervisor or a site supervisor. Alternatively, move into related construction roles like set design, interior design or historical conservation. Other possibilities for career expansion are in contract management. Self-employment is also possible, but you need extensive experience and a portfolio to attract well-paying clients.
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advantages of finding a painter job through randstad
Finding your painter job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a painter is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
You don't require formal training to become a painter, but the following qualifications improve your career prospects in the role:
- training: to become a painter, complete a Certificate III in painting and decorating as part of an apprenticeship or at a registered training organisation. The course helps you develop the practical knowledge to become a licensed painter. You can also specialise in various sectors like industrial building decoration, wallpaper application and paint management.
- work experience: you require experience and expertise to land jobs in painting. You can gain experience through apprenticeships and entry-level jobs to improve your skills. Some painters register with the National Institute of Painting and Decorating. Working in construction also requires a white card.
skills and competencies
Your transferable skills help you excel as a painter. Some include:
- being detail-oriented: as a painter, it is important to be attentive to details to ensure you don't mix the wrong colours or paint incorrect shades. Employers expect your work to be error-free and the paint job to have crisp edges and even coatings.
- time management skills: painting is similar to construction work regarding deadlines and milestones. You must complete your work on time and adhere to the set schedule for the project. You usually work with minimal supervision, so good time management helps you avoid missing deadlines.
- technical skills: you use various painting tools and materials as a painter. It is crucial to understand the work processes involved in the job, like preparing exterior and interior surfaces for commercial and residential settings.
- eye for colour: as a painter, a great eye for colour helps create beautiful shades that appeal to customers. You can also come up with the best finishes to create an exquisite look.
FAQs about working as a painter
Here are the most asked questions about working as a painter:
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what are the duties of a painter?
As a painter, you paint or decorate walls and surfaces according to specifications. That means you prepare surfaces for painting by removing old paint using scrapers and blowtorches. You mix and match paint to create the perfect colour for the walls. After applying the paint, you clean the surrounding areas.
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are painters in demand in australia?
Painters are employed in various sectors and locations across Australia, increasing the demand for the role. However, you will likely find more work opportunities once you gain the necessary skills and experience. You can work in construction sites or various industries to complete painting work.
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how much do painters make in australia?
Working as a painter in Australia attracts an average salary of $63,000 annually. In entry-level positions, you are likely to earn as low as $55,000 yearly, while experienced professionals take home over $70,000 per year.
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is painting a good career?
Becoming a painter is an exciting career with numerous opportunities. Painting brings the satisfaction of creating something new and appealing by matching colours to create decorative pieces. The salaries are promising, and you have great career progression opportunities. You can explore career options in various industries.
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how do I apply for a painter vacancy?
Applying for a painter job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our painter job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
