How to Become a Exterior Painter

Quick Facts

  • Average Salary: $43,100/year
  • Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent
  • Required Experience: Entry-level through apprenticeship
  • Licensing: Required in most states
  • Job Outlook: 4% growth (2020-2030)

What Does a Exterior Painter Do?

An Exterior Painter is a skilled professional in the Finishing Trades sector of the Construction industry. This job involves applying paint, varnish, and other finishes to buildings' exteriors, typically homes and commercial structures. The task isn’t just about enhancing the aesthetic appeal, it’s also about providing protection against weather damage and corrosion.

As an Exterior Painter, your typical work environment would be outdoors, across various worksites. Depending on the job and location, you could be working high up on ladders or scaffolds. Working conditions can vary significantly according to the particular project and weather conditions.

Your main responsibilities would include preparing the surfaces for painting by cleaning, scraping, or sanding as needed. You'd also need to mix paints to achieve the desired color and texture. Then, you would apply the paint using brushes, rollers, or sprayers. Lastly, you would clean up the worksite and ensure that the finished work meets quality standards. This role requires a good eye for detail, color sense, physical resilience, and, often, the ability to work independently.

Skills Required

Technical Skills

  • Surface Preparation
  • Priming
  • Color Mixing
  • Spray Painting
  • Brush and Roller Painting
  • Wallpapering
  • Safety Procedures
  • Equipment Maintenance

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail
  • Physical Stamina
  • Teamwork
  • Time Management
  • Problem Solving
  • Communication

Education and Training Requirements

Required Education

Licensing and Certification

State Requirements

Required in most states

Salary and Job Outlook

How to Get Started