Best institutions to study Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer
A 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.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 29 Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 46.0408, a specialization of Building/Construction Finishing (CIP 46.04), and leads most directly to the Painters, Construction and Maintenance occupation (BLS SOC 47-2141).
About Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer programs
A 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. Includes instruction 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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer program, part of the Building/Construction Finishing field, is designed for individuals looking to develop the technical skills necessary for finishing both interior and exterior surfaces. This program prepares students to apply protective and decorative coatings, such as paint and wallpaper, to various structures, ensuring a professional finish.
Students will gain essential skills in surface preparation, paint application techniques, equipment operation, and safety practices. The curriculum covers critical knowledge areas including customer service, building and construction principles, and environmental effects on finishes.
Credentials awarded
What Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years15 graduates / yr · 1 institution52%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years8 graduates / yr · 1 institution28%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions14%
- Associate's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution6.9%
Graduates over time
Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 21 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 33 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 50 |
| 2017 | 39 |
| 2018 | 64 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2020 | 48 |
| 2021 | 40 |
| 2022 | 58 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 29 |
Top 4 institutions for Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 17 | 40% | — | $51,303 |
| 2 | Atlantic Technical College Coconut Creek, FLPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 8 | 65% | — | — |
| 3 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 36% | — | — |
| 4 | American River College Sacramento, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 37% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Building/Construction Finishing field (CIP 46.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer graduates come from. Each state links to all Building/Construction Finishing programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 1 | 17 | Ivy Tech Community College17 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 8 | Atlantic Technical College8 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 3 | Southwestern Illinois College3 / yr |
| California | 1 | 1 | American River College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 47-2141, Painters, Construction and Maintenance, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Painters in Construction and Maintenance, with a median wage of $48,660. The job outlook is positive, with an expected growth rate of 3.8% and approximately 28,100 annual openings in the field. No formal educational credential is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 46.0408
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Painters, Construction and Maintenanceprimary SOC 47-2141 | $49,400 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~28,100 | No formal educational credential |
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers SOC 47-1011 | $79,920 | +5.3% Faster than average | ~74,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Paperhangers SOC 47-2142 | $52,140 | +5.3% Faster than average | ~200 | No formal educational credential |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Cover surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.
- Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors or homeowners to determine work requirements.
- Apply paint, stain, varnish, enamel, or other finishes to equipment, buildings, bridges, or other structures, using brushes, spray guns, or rollers.
- Fill cracks, holes, or joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.
- Smooth surfaces, using sandpaper, scrapers, brushes, steel wool, or sanding machines.
- Erect scaffolding or swing gates, or set up ladders, to work above ground level.
Tools and technology used
Other Building/Construction Finishing specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Building/Construction Finishing (CIP 46.04).
- Building/CIP 46.0401
Property Maintenance 2,461 graduates / yr97 institutions - Building Construction Technology/CIP 46.0415
Technician 2,137 graduates / yr127 institutions - Building/CIP 46.0412
Construction Site Management/ Manager 1,748 graduates / yr73 institutions - Building/CIP 46.0499
Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection 638 graduates / yr36 institutions - Building/CIP 46.0403
Home/ Construction Inspection/ Inspector 334 graduates / yr31 institutions - Drywall Installation/CIP 46.0404
Drywaller partial data254 graduates / yr3 institutions - Concrete Finishing/CIP 46.0402
Concrete Finisher partial data79 graduates / yr6 institutions - RooferCIP 46.0410partial data42 graduates / yr3 institutions
- InsulatorCIP 46.0414limited data35 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Carpet, Floor, and Tile WorkerCIP 46.0413limited data30 graduates / yr2 institutions
- GlazierCIP 46.0406limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Metal Building Assembly/CIP 46.0411
Assembler limited data5 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What types of credentials can I earn?+
You can earn awards ranging from less than 1 year to 4 years, including Associate's degrees.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and various painting techniques.
What are the job prospects after graduation?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 28,100 openings expected annually.
What tasks will I be trained to perform?+
You will learn to apply finishes, prepare surfaces, and operate painting equipment.
What is the CIP code for Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer?+
Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer is CIP 46.0408 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Building/Construction Finishing (CIP 46.04). NCES defines it as: A 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. Includes instruction 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.
How many institutions offer Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 29 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Building/Construction Finishing graduates.
How much do Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Painters, Construction and Maintenance occupation, which Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer most directly leads to, pays a median of $49,400 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Building/Construction Finishing field report median earnings of $51,303 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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