How to become a professional painter

The median annual income for painters is $37,960 a year according to the Department of Labor. The median income means half the workers in this category earn more and half earn less. This works out to $18.25 per hour based on a 40-hour workweek.

An experienced painter working for a good company will get paid well. Full time commercial estimators and experienced project managers are in demand already and can make a good living. Even though the market is competitive, running a painting business can be rewarding and profitable.

The average salary for a painter is $23.21 per hour in Sydney NSW. Was the salaries overview information useful?

Job Outlook

Employment of painters is projected to show little or no change from 2019 to 2029. The expected increase in new construction activity will continue to create a need for painters.

Getting started is easy

The barrier to entry for starting a painting business is low. Another great reason to start a painting business is its flexibility. You can work as many or as few jobs as you want.

The Pros of Starting a Painting Business

It’s easy to get started, especially as a part-time business. Startup costs are minimal. You have the potential to make a good income once your business is established. You can offer related services such as wallpapering for added income.

Painters usually charge between $1.50 and $3.50 per square foot to paint the interior of a house. Add in ceilings, walls and trim and the number rises to $3 to $4 per square foot, according to Smart Asset.

The cost to paint a room usually runs between $2 and $6 per square foot. Total painting costs range between $955 and $2,890, with a national average of $1,892.

Painters charge $300 to $1,000 per room on average, depending on the size. The average cost to paint a 12×12 room is $400 to $950.

Build a painting business website and target local and service specific keywords. Take advantage of online ads through social media or search engine marketing. Try out direct and digital mail. Create a referral program to reward your loyal and happy customers.

Costs to Start a Painting Business

Expect to spend about $2,000 on painting equipment, inventory, and other supplies, plus the cost of a vehicle if you don’t have one available. Common startup costs include: Business vehicle. Equipment including ladders, airless paint sprayers, caulk gun, brushes, uniforms.

People looking for a little extra money can go to sites like Takl.com or TaskRabbit.com and check a few boxes, and they’re a painter (and a mover, and a furniture assembler). And while they might not have any experience, they’re also not trying to make a living at it – they’re just looking for some money on the side.

It is hard work, and can be dangerous on two (or more) story houses working from ladders. You will also need to have business liability insurance in case you cause damage to someone or their property, and have money for buying brushes, sandpaper, ladder, tarps, tape, and of course the paint which can be $500 or more.

My very first job was painting houses making $15 per hour. I worked HARD for my $15/hour painting houses for 14 hours straight in the middle of summer. After I finished the house, I got my check for about $800. That’s pretty awesome for 4 days of work as an 18-year old.

You can become a licensed house painter or contractor through an apprenticeship. Technical schools offer apprenticeship programs sponsored by contractor organizations and trade unions. Applicants must be 18 years of age, pass a background check and have the stamina to do the work.

Careers in this field can range from illustrating for entertainment and educational purposes to teaching to being a fine artist. Painters may commission their works to corporate or private collections, display them in art galleries or museums, or be hired to paint portraits or other works.

Yes, artistic careers are totally worth it, 200%. But it is important for the average person to ster away from conventional notions of a career when thinking about artistic careers. An artist’s professional career may not resemble your average corporate job working 40+ hours a week, raking in potentially 6 figures.

Free online painting tutorials may be right up your alley, helping you get comfortable with both basic and advanced techniques right from home. Whether you are interested in acrylic or oil painting or learning how to use watercolors, there are no shortage of excellent YouTube channels to help you get started.

There is nothing glamorous about being a self–taught artist. If you are disciplined, then you can achieve anything as a self–taught artist that a trained artist could achieve. In fact, formal art training can be restrictive to the learning of some artists, who may be better suited to the self–taught path.