Painter Job Description: How to Write Your Own [+ Free Template]

Hillary Walters

Articles /
Painting /
Painter Job Description

Originally published in April 2023. Last updated on July 24, 2025.

Ready to grow your painting business and hire new employees? An accurate painter job description will help you attract qualified candidates who are a good fit for your business.

Download our free painter job description template, or use the complete guide below to write your own job description to find and hire the best candidate.

Painter job description template

Use this template to write your own painting job description. Modify the role summary, responsibilities, qualifications, hours, compensation, and company overview based on your business needs.

Painter, Full Time

Patch & Pour Painting Co. is hiring an experienced, detail-oriented painter to join our team. Reporting to our team lead, the successful applicant will be responsible for painting a variety of surfaces and providing light repairs for our residential clients.

Job responsibilities:

Inspect surfaces and determine appropriate primers, paints, finishes, and tools for application
Monitor material inventory and cost-effectively buy painting materials (e.g., paint, brushes, drop cloths)
Cover furniture, fixtures, and exposed surfaces for protection before starting projects
Prepare walls, cabinets, siding, fences, and other surfaces for painting projects (e.g., scraping, sandpapering, paint removal)
Repair cracks, dents, holes, and other minor surface damage with putty or plaster before painting
Mix paint colors to achieve the correct color and texture
Paint surfaces and apply varnish, sealant, and stain as needed
Follow workplace health and safety rules
Load and unload tools and equipment from work vehicles
Maintain a clean, tidy work area on job sites
Prepare cost estimates and project budgets
Work well with customers, contractors, and other trades
Coordinate service with customers and handle complaints professionally
Accurately log billable hours using a time tracking app
Manage job details, review daily tasks, and follow up with customers using our painting contractor app

Qualifications and skills:

High school diploma or GED
2+ years of experience as a residential or commercial painter
Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation
Knowledge of residential and commercial painting techniques
Comfortable using different painting tools on various surfaces (e.g., spray equipment)
Familiar with color theory principles
Able to perform basic mathematical calculations and convert measurements
Physically able to sit, stand, kneel, lift, and climb ladders
Strong planning, organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills
Great attention to detail, positive attitude, and strong work ethic
Can work independently and as part of a team environment
Can communicate well (multiple languages are a plus)
Able to follow written and verbal instructions
Friendly with good interpersonal skills
Experience using scheduling apps or routing apps preferred (training can be provided)

Working hours:

Full-time, year-round
Mon–Fri, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Overtime available but not required

Compensation:

$19-21/hour (based on experience)
Signing bonus and year-round bonus opportunities
Health insurance, including dental and vision
Paid holidays, time off, and parental leave
401(k) matching and life insurance

This position will require a background check upon hire.

About Patch & Pour Painting Co.

Patch & Pour Painting Co. is a premier painting company that provides top-quality painting services to homeowners and businesses in Richmond. We have been in operation for over 10 years and specialize in both interior and exterior painting, as well as other services such as pressure washing, drywall repair, and staining.

Our company is driven by our dedication to high-quality work and exceptional service, and we reward our employees for upholding these values with a strong bonus program. We also offer competitive benefits and a supportive workplace where passionate painters can build a lifelong career.

To apply for this position, send your resume to [company email address].

What to include in your painter job description:

Role summary
Job responsibilities
Qualifications and skills
Licensing, experience, and education
Working hours
Role compensation
Company overview

1. Role summary

Your painting job description should start with a role summary. This provides a short overview of the position you’re hiring for, including details like:

Position title
Supervisor
Seniority level
Overall responsibilities

Say what the role involves and what type of person you’re looking for. A clear role summary tells qualified candidates that they’re the right fit—and discourages unqualified job seekers from applying.

Here’s an example of what your painter role summary could include:

Painter, Full Time

2. Job responsibilities

Create a list of painter job responsibilities and day-to-day duties. To make sure you include all possible tasks in your painting job description, ask yourself questions like:

What clients does your painting business typically work with (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial)?
What types of painting equipment will they use (e.g., brushes, rollers)?
What do your current painters do on each type of job (e.g., setting up scaffolding, taping edges, mixing custom colors)?
Will this person need to complete any other non-painting tasks (e.g., customer service, estimating painting jobs, scheduling work, invoicing clients)?

Your new painter’s job responsibilities could look like this:

Sample job responsibilities:

Inspect surfaces and determine appropriate primers, paints, finishes, and tools for application
Monitor material inventory and cost-effectively buy painting materials (e.g., paint, brushes, drop cloths)
Cover furniture, fixtures, and exposed surfaces for protection before starting projects
Prepare walls, cabinets, siding, fences, and other surfaces for painting projects (e.g., scraping, sandpapering, paint removal)
Repair cracks, dents, holes, and other minor surface damage with putty or plaster before painting
Mix paint colors to achieve the correct color and texture
Paint surfaces and apply varnish, sealant, and stain as needed
Follow workplace health and safety rules
Load and unload tools and equipment from work vehicles
Maintain a clean, tidy work area on job sites
Prepare cost estimates and project budgets
Work well with customers, contractors, and other trades
Coordinate service with customers and handle complaints professionally
Accurately log billable hours using a time tracking app

Manage job details, review daily tasks, and follow up with customers using our painting contractor app

You should care as much about your job description and your job posting as you do about marketing new clients.

Hiring is just as important, so give it time, give it thought, and craft a really compelling job description.”

Adam Sylvester Charlottesville Lawn Care & Gutter Pros

3. Qualifications and skills

Your painter job description should include any professional qualifications you’re looking for, like:

Years of painting experience
Physical demands (e.g., working at heights, repetitive motion, weight lifting capacity)
Soft skills (e.g., customer service, communication, problem-solving)
Valid driver’s license and clean driver’s record, if required

Sample qualifications and skills:

High school diploma or GED
2+ years of experience as a residential or commercial painter
Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation
Knowledge of residential and commercial painting techniques
Comfortable using different painting tools on various surfaces (e.g., spray equipment)
Familiar with basic color theory principles
Able to perform basic mathematical calculations and convert measurements
Able to sit, stand, kneel, lift, and climb ladders
Strong planning, organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills
Great attention to detail, positive attitude, and strong work ethic
Can work independently and as part of a team environment
Friendly with good interpersonal skills
Experience using scheduling apps or routing apps preferred (training can be provided)

You can also add optional skills that aren’t necessary but would help candidates stand out, like speaking another language or having experience with painting contractor software.

READ MORE: Best apps for painting contractors

4. Licensing, experience, and education

Depending on your location and the type of work your painters perform, some licenses or certifications may be required. Always list any mandatory credentials and highlight what kind of experience will help a candidate succeed in the role.

Your job description can include:

Successful completion of (or enrollment in a painting apprenticeship program
State or local painter’s license (if required in your area)
EPA Lead-Safe Certification for jobs in older homes
OSHA safety training or certifications
Apprenticeship completion or enrollment
Experience with specialized surfaces, coatings, or tools

Optional licensing or certifications

Licensed painter in the state of [Your State]
OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification preferred
Completion of a certified painting apprenticeship program
3+ years of hands-on painting experience
EPA Lead-Safe Certification for renovation work
Familiar with local building codes and safety regulations

Including licensing and education details can ensure that your applicants meet industry standards. It may also save you time during the hiring process, particularly if you work in a region where specific qualifications are mandatory.

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5. Working hours

State your working hours or shift options so candidates know what to expect. That way, they’ll only apply if the schedule works for their needs.

Make sure to include whether the painter’s job is full-time or part-time, seasonal or year-round, and permanent or temporary.

Sample working hours:

Full-time, year-round
Mon–Fri, 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Overtime available but not required

6. Role compensation

Include how much the job pays, even if it’s in a pay range. This will tell applicants whether the compensation is in the right range for them and set expectations early on.

Your painter’s job description should also include non-financial compensation and perks—for example, an employee bonus program, paid time off, health insurance, or retirement plan matching.

Sample compensation:

$17–20/hour (based on experience and industry standard)
Signing bonus and year-round bonus opportunities
Health insurance, including dental and vision
Paid holidays, time off, and parental leave
401(k) matching and life insurance

How much do you pay a painter?

On average, painters in the United States can earn $48,660 (USD), or roughly $23.40/hour. This amount can vary depending on the painter’s experience level and where they’re working.

For example, new painters may earn slightly less than average, while those with experience and larger teams can earn more. Geographical area plays a role in a painter’s wages, too. A painter in Washington can earn $51,413 on average, but the same painter may only earn $35,142 in West Virginia.

7. Company overview

Even if your painting company is well-known locally, it’s a good idea to tell applicants more about the business. This is your chance to explain why applicants should work for you.

Include details about your company like:

How many years you’ve been in business
Company mission, vision, and values
What kind of employee experience you offer
Why your employees like working with you
Professional development and long-term career opportunities

Your painting company overview could look something like this:

About Patch & Pour Painting Co.

Pro Tip: When you’ve finished writing your painting company overview, save it and use it again in all of your future job postings.

Instructions to submit an application

You should also include instructions for applying to your painter job posting, whether you want painters to apply through email or an online application form on a job board like Indeed.

State the application deadline and if they’ll need to submit a resume, cover letter, and list of references.

What to include in a construction painter job description

Now that you know how to write a basic painter job description, you may need to niche down or specialize for certain skills or industries.

Here’s how to craft a new posting specifically for a construction painting role:

Job summary: Describe the type of work—commercial or industrial—and the scope of projects. Refer to the basic summaries above to pull ideas and details.
Key responsibilities: List tasks common to construction sites, such as prepping drywall or concrete surfaces, applying primer and industrial coatings, using spray equipment or rollers, masking and taping, and cleaning up job sites after completion.
Certifications or experience: Note if OSHA training, a valid driver’s license, or a minimum number of years of experience is required.
Working conditions: Mention physical demands, like standing for long periods, working at heights, operating lifts or scaffolding, and traveling between job sites. Construction painters often work in large, unfinished spaces that may be exposed to weather or lack climate control.
Schedule and expectations: Specify typical work hours, seasonal demands, or weekend availability if needed.
Company perks: Share why someone would want to work for your company—whether it’s steady work, a great team, or advancement opportunities.

A well-written, role-specific job description helps attract qualified painters who are prepared for the demands of construction work and ready to contribute from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

: Painting companies often prefer hiring painters with at least one year of on-the-job experience. That way they don’t have to invest time training new hires to use a brush and roller.

Many painter jobs require a high school diploma or GED, as well as a trade program certificate or completed apprenticeship program.

Depending on the area, painters may also need a contractor’s license or other certification before they can legally provide services.
: Painters can apply primer, paint, or stain to a wide range of surfaces, like walls, furniture, siding, and decks. Their purpose is to change the way these surfaces look and feel.

Some painters may also apply wallpaper, shiplap, and other wall coverings. Depending on their interests and skill level, a painter may even create detailed murals and feature walls in a space.

Painters can work as independent contractors, work for a painting company, or be employed or subcontracted by a property management company or other business.
: A painter will cover furniture and flooring, prepare surfaces for painting, make minor repairs as needed, mix paint to achieve the desired color, and apply paint to the surface.

They often work directly with the client to schedule the job and ensure the client is happy with the finished work. Some companies require painters to ask clients for reviews after each job.

Depending on the painter’s seniority level, they may also be responsible for quoting painting jobs, sending invoices, and collecting payment from the customer.
: Good painters are familiar with color theory, have a good knowledge of different painting techniques, and can use a variety of painting tools.

Painters should have physical strength and be able to perform repetitive motions, like brushing and rolling paint. They may need to balance on ladders for some time.

A good painter also needs an eye for detail, good time management skills, and the ability to complete painting projects on time and budget.