Painter: career path and pay in the UK
Where a Painter goes next, what each step typically pays in the United Kingdom, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Painter / Apprentice Painter to Painting Contractor / Business Owner.
Also for the United States: Painter in the US
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Painter / Apprentice Painter
£25K to £40K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Apprenticeship Program (in progress) - US/UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification (required) - Global.
Step 2 · 2 to 5 years
Painter / Journeyman Painter
£30K to £45K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Painting Certification (optional) - Global, NVQ Level 3 Painting & Decorating - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global.
Step 3 · 5 to 10 years
Master Painter / Painting Supervisor
£35K to £50K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Painting Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Painting & Decorating - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Business License (optional) - Global.
Step 4 · 10+ years
Painting Contractor / Business Owner
£45K to £65K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Painting Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Painting & Decorating - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Business License - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
£25K to £40K → £45K to £65K
UK estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale UK. No UK estimate was found for Apprentice Painter and Decorator; this band is placed between the neighbouring steps. The published figure for Painting Supervisor sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Chemistry
- Transportation
Education people bring
- Post-Doctoral Training: 2%
- Some College Courses: 0%
- Post-Master's Certificate: 0%
Job Zone 2, job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. 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.
Other paths from here
- Drywall Installer
- General Contractor
- Construction Manager
- Interior Designer
More Skilled Trades paths in the UK
Related occupations in O*NET: Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers, Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons, Plasterers and Stucco Masons, Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Furniture Finishers.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale UK, UK national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor UK, Indeed UK and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to £5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.