Painter
Prepare and paint walls, trim, buildings and structures for protection and a clean finish.
- $49,400
- 1–6 months on the job
Skilled Trades & Construction career
Painter Helper
Also called: Painting Helper · Paint Prep Worker · Painter’s Assistant · Prep Laborer
What painter helpers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a painter helper do?
Helpers, painters, paperhangers, plasterers and stucco masons help painters by preparing surfaces, cleaning, and supplying materials. The median pay is $40,470 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow +1.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$40,470$19.46/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+1.5%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year700Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs7,600Employment, 2025
What painter helpers do
Painter helpers do the prep that makes paint look good. They move furniture, mask and cover, scrape, sand, patch, caulk, clean brushes and sprayers and help with painting.
No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects slight growth.
Typical duties
- Move and cover furniture
- Mask surfaces
- Scrape and sand
- Patch holes
- Caulk
- Clean tools
- Assist painters
Work environment and schedule
Helpers work in homes and commercial buildings.
Schedule: Full time.
A day in the life
- Cover floors.
- Mask trim.
- Patch nail holes.
- Sand patches.
See a full day in the life of a painter helper →
Painter Helper salary
Half of painter helpers earned more than $40,470 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $31,200 for the lowest 10% to $52,000 for the top 10%.
Full painter helper pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a painter helper
- Apply to a painting contractor
- Learn prep
- Learn painting
- Join an apprenticeship
- Become a painter
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a painter helper →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Masking
- Sanding
- Patching
- Caulking
- Rolling
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
- Neatness
- Willingness to learn
All painter helper skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy entry
- Short training
- Path to painter
- Visible results
Cons
- Repetitive prep
- Dust
- Ladder work
- Low pay
Certifications and licenses
- Lead-safe certification: For older homes.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Painting apprenticeship: Next step.
- Lift training: Helpful.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Painter: Paint.
- Lead Painter: Lead.
- Painting Contractor: Business.
Learn the job before day one
Our Painter Helper training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as prep a room for painting and caulk trim cleanly, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Drywall Taper
Tape, mud and sand drywall joints to make walls smooth and ready for paint.
- $68,270
- Months on the job
Paperhanger
Hang wallpaper and wallcoverings in homes, hotels and offices.
- $52,140
- Long-term on-the-job training
Plasterer
Apply plaster and stucco to walls and ceilings for durable, decorative finishes.
- $57,660
- 2–4 year apprenticeship
Compare: Painter Helper vs. Painter · Painter Helper vs. Drywall Taper · Painter Helper vs. Paperhanger · Painter Helper vs. Plasterer
Painter Helper FAQ
Do I need experience?
No.
Is it a path to painter?
Yes.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects slight growth.
How much does a painter helper make?
The median annual wage for painter helpers was $40,470 ($19.46 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,200 and the highest 10% earned more than $52,000.
How long does it take to become a painter helper?
Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a painter helper?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More painter helper questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-3014 (Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.