Painters and Decorators (except Interior Decorators)
(NOC 7294)
in All Trades and TransportationPainters and decorators apply paint, wallpaper, and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures. They work for construction companies, painting contractors, and building maintenance contractors, or they may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
Outlook: average, mostly balanced conditions in the labour market.
Size of occupation in Nova Scotia: large with regular job opportunities.
Demand: Approximately 40 opportunities are estimated for Halifax, and 40 outside Halifax. Employment growth will lead to several new positions. Some positions will become available due to employee turnover. There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation. Employment can be seasonal with more opportunities in the summer months. Several positions will become available due to retirements.
Workhours: both full-time and part-time are common. Bother permanent and temporary positions are common.
Hourly Pay
$15.00
Minimum$20.00
Median$31.92
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,891
Minimum$18,963
Median$51,100
MaximumCompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Hourly Pay
$15.00
Minimum$24.00
Median$37.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,580
Minimum$37,269
Median$79,787
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Painters and decorators apply paint, wallpaper, and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures. They work for construction companies, painting contractors, and building maintenance contractors, or they may be self-employed.
Job duties
Painters and decorators:
- Read specifications to determine quantities of materials required.
- Prepare and clean surfaces using methods like scraping, sanding, sandblasting, hydro-blasting, and steam-cleaning.
- Remove old wallpaper and loose paint.
- Repair cracks and holes in walls and sandpaper and apply sealer.
- Mix and thin paint to obtain desired colour and texture.
- Apply paint or other materials like stains, lacquer, enamel, oil, varnish, fibreglass, metal coating or fire retardant using brushes, rollers, or spray equipment.
- Measure, cut and apply wallpaper or fabric to walls.
- Assemble and build scaffolding and swing stages.
- May advise customer on selection of colour schemes and choice of wall coverings.
- May provide cost estimates to clients.
Sample job titles
- construction painter
- house painter
- industrial maintenance painter
- painter
- painter and decorator
- painter and paperhanger
- residential painter
Skills
- Good colour sense
- Manual dexterity
- Comfort with heights
- Strength to move heavy ladders or set up scaffolding
- Precision and thoroughness
- Physical stamina
- Eye for detail
- Ability to plan work
- Knowledge of many types of finishes, their properties, and their applications
- Ability to calculate areas and relate calculations to required material
- Communication and customer service skills
Job requirements
- High school or equivalent (usually).
- Over three years of work experience in the trade is necessary to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade Qualifier option, 8,100 hours, and other criteria.
- Certification for painters and decorators is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
- Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for painters and decorators.
- Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.
Other considerations
- Painters and decorators work both indoors and outdoors. They arrange their work commitments so they will be outdoors in late spring, summer, and early fall, and indoors in late fall and winter.
- They may work with some physical discomfort when preparing surfaces or applying coatings in awkward positions. They must stand for long periods.
- Risks include injury from falling off ladders, scaffolds, or swing stages, and from working with hazardous chemicals like paint thinners and removers.
- Some painters and decorators may work for years on a single site. Others may work for contractors that rarely work on the same site more than once.
- Jobs in the construction industry are affected by seasonal changes and economic conditions. Work may be on a project basis. Workers should be prepared for periods of unemployment.
- Experienced painters and decorators may advance to supervisory positions for painting contractors or in other related fields like construction management, instructing, estimating, or building inspection.
- Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$22,069 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$16,789 median annual incomeSouthern
$18,054 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$14,601 median annual incomeCape Breton
$29,991 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Construction
Real estate and rental and leasing
Public administration
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Transportation and warehousing
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
35-44
25-34
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
Top levels of education
High school
$19,342 median annual incomeLess than high school
$15,694 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$29,296 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$16,940 median annual incomeBachelor
$17,340 median annual incomeCompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Trade Certification
$46,494 median annual incomeHigh school
$31,260 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$42,050 median annual incomeLess than high school
$28,319 median annual incomeBachelor
$30,527 median annual incomeEducation & training
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Painter and Wall Coverer
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students 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. They include courses 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.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.