Career comparison
Construction Laborer vs. Painter
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Painters earn more at the median ($49,400 vs. $47,120), while construction laborers usually get to work faster (Days to weeks (on the job) of training). Construction laborers prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job. Painters prepare and paint walls, trim, buildings and structures for protection and a clean finish.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Construction Laborer | Painter | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,120 ($22.66/hr) | $49,400 ($23.75/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,090 – $78,090 | $37,440 – $78,810 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +7.3% (much faster than average) | +3.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 120,000 | 24,900 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | Days to weeks (on the job) | 1–6 months on the job |
| Key credential | OSHA 10-Hour Construction | EPA RRP Certified Renovator |
| Work setting | Laborers work outdoors in all kinds of weather on construction sites, roadways and demolition projects. | Painters work indoors and outdoors in homes, offices, schools, factories and on bridges and tanks. |
What each job does
Construction Laborer
- Prepare and clean job sites, removing debris and hazards
- Load, unload and move building materials
- Dig, backfill and compact trenches and foundations
- Mix, pour and spread concrete and asphalt
- Erect and dismantle scaffolding, barricades and forms
Painter
- Protect floors, furniture and fixtures before work starts
- Wash, scrape, sand and patch surfaces
- Caulk gaps and apply primer
- Apply paint and coatings with brushes, rollers and sprayers
- Mix and match colors and finishes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, and working outdoors. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose construction laborer if…
- I like physical work and staying active all day
- I don’t mind getting dirty or working in bad weather
- I want to start working right away
Choose painter if…
- I like making spaces look clean and finished
- I’m patient with careful prep work
- I’m comfortable on ladders
Still torn? Take the Construction Laborer fit quiz and the Painter fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, construction laborer or painter?
Painters earn more at the median: $49,400 versus $47,120 for construction laborers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Construction Laborers typically train faster (Days to weeks (on the job)) than painters (1–6 months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects construction laborers to grow +7.3% from 2025–35, compared with +3.0% for painters.