About the job
Painters and decorators apply paint, wallpaper and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures. They are employed by construction companies, painting contractors and building maintenance contractors, or they may be self-employed.
- Read specifications to determine quantities of materials required.
- Prepare and clean surfaces using methods such as scraping, sanding, sandblasting, hydro-blasting and steam-cleaning; remove old wallpaper and loose paint; repair cracks and holes in walls; and sandpaper and apply sealer.
- Mix and thin paint to obtain desired colour and texture.
- Apply paint or other materials, such as stains, lacquer, enamel, oil, varnish, fibreglass, metal coating or fire retardant using brushes, rollers or spray equipment.
- Measure, cut and apply wallpaper or fabric to walls.
- Assemble and erect scaffolding and swing stages.
- May advise customer on selection of colour schemes and choice of wall coverings.
- May provide cost estimates to clients.
- construction painter
- house painter
- industrial maintenance painter
- painter
- painter and decorator
- painter and paperhanger
- residential painter
To work in this trade you should have physical stamina, agility, and coordination, and be capable of climbing, reaching, crouching, and handling heavy materials. While most of the work is done indoors, you must be willing to work outdoors and at heights. You must be able to perform basic mathematical calculations and read blueprints and drafting specifications.
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or over three years of work experience in the trade is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification for painters and decorators is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia.
- Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) is also available to qualified painters and decorators upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Jobs in the construction industry are strongly affected by seasonal changes and general economic conditions, and many are on a project basis. As a result, workers in these jobs should be prepared for periods of unemployment. The physical demands of this work may make it difficult for people to stay in these jobs for a long time. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Labour Market Information
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Painters and Decorators (except Interior Decorators) most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. With employment conditions being somewhat seasonal, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year affect some workers. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.
The median employment income for 32% of Painters and Decorators (except Interior Decorators) who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $35,356. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Occupation | Estimated employment in 2018 | Estimated change in employment between 2017 and 2019 | Estimated openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019 | Estimated rate of unemployment in 2018 | Estimated hourly earnings in 2015 (learn more) | Estimated annual earnings in 2015 |
Painters and Decorators (Except Interior Decorators) | 1,010 | decline | 35 | Moderate | Minimum: $12.50 Median: $18.25 Maximum: $25.50 | Minimum: $2,891 Median: $18,963 Maximum: $51,100 |
Occupations in Trades and Transportation | 57,925 | Decline slightly | 3,400 | High | Minimum: $13.00 Median: $20.35 Maximum: $34.00 | Minimum: $7,580 Median: $37,269 Maximum: $79,787 |
Painters and Decorators (Except Interior Decorators) | Compared to: Occupations in Trades and Transportation | |
Percent employed full-time | 71% | 89% |
Percent self-employed | 17% | 13% |
Area of Employment | Painters and Decorators (Except Interior Decorators) | Compared to: All NS Occupations | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Southern | 14% | $9,815 | 12% | $30,581 |
Northern | 13% | $18,175 | 16% | $33,660 |
Cape Breton | 11% | $20,549 | 13% | $32,974 |
Halifax | 45% | $24,745 | 47% | $41,209 |
Annapolis Valley | 18% | $17,683 | 13% | $32,958 |

Age | Painters and Decorators (Except Interior Decorators) | Compared to: All Trades and Transportation |
% Employed | % Employed | |
15-24 | 9% | x |
25-34 | 12% | 13% |
35-44 | 18% | 33% |
45-54 | 30% | 34% |
55-64 | 27% | 19% |
65+ | 5% | x |
Median Age | 51 | 47 |

Gender | Painters and Decorators (Except Interior Decorators) | Compared to: Occupations in Trades and Transportation |
% Employed | % Employed | |
Female | 14% | 5% |
Male | 86% | 95% |
Education | Painters and Decorators (Except Interior Decorators) | Compared to: All Trades and Transportation | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Less than high school | 28.0% | $19,901 | 18.2% | $25,753 |
High school | 35.6% | $37,806 | 25.5% | $28,089 |
Trades certificate | 18.8% | $71,359 | 29.4% | $40,890 |
College certificate or diploma | 10.9% | $48,651 | 22.6% | $39,023 |
University certificate or diploma | 0.8% | x | 1.0% | $35,969 |
Bachelor's degree | 5.4% | x | 2.7% | $36,972 |
University advanced certificate or diploma | x | x | 0.2% | $41,705 |
Master's degree | x | x | 0.3% | x |
Doctorate | x | x | 0.0% | $36,029 |
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry | x | x | 0.0% | $3,714 |
Total | 100% | 100% |
Hourly earnings data are from the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. Data are not available for all occupations. Hourly earnings are calculated based on usual hours worked per week. This is how an annual salary, for instance, gets converted to an hourly rate. The data include full and part-time workers along with new and experienced workers. Self-employed workers are excluded.
Annual employment income data reported in the Work Prospects section, are from the 2011 National Household Survey by Statistics Canada. Much of the data (around 70%) came directly from tax records. The data relates to the year 2010 and includes total wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.
Employment Requirements & Contacts
Training Paths & Education
This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.
This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to finish exterior and interior structural surfaces by applying protective or decorative coating materials, such as paint, lacquer, and wallpaper. These programs include courses in surface preparation; selecting, preparing, and applying paints and other coatings; hanging wallpaper; equipment operation and maintenance; finish selection; safety and clean-up; environmental effects on finishes; adhesion properties; and applicable codes and standards.