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Decorator
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $21.03 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $26.38 |
| Top | $30.71 |
Interest in copying information to mix and thin paint to obtain desired colour and texture; in preparing and cleaning surfaces using methods such as scraping, sanding, sand-blasting, hydro-blasting and steam-cleaning; in removing old wallpaper and loose paint; in repairing cracks and holes in walls; and in sandpapering and applying sealers
Interest in operating spray equipment and other associated equipment; and in using brushes and rollers to apply paint and other materials
Interest in speaking to customers to provide advice on colour schemes and wall coverings
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
In general, painters and decorators estimate the quantity of materials required by measuring surfaces or reviewing a work order. From there they:
Painters and decorators work at residential, commercial or industrial sites. They arrange their work commitments so they will be outdoors in late spring, summer and early fall, and indoors in the late fall and winter. They must stand for long periods, often working with their arms raised over their heads. There is some risk of injury from falling off ladders, scaffolds or swing stages, and from working with hazardous chemicals such as paint thinners and removers.
Painters and decorators need:
They should enjoy work that involves variety and creativity. They must also keep up to date with changes in paint and decorative products and technologies.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 84 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 17, 2020 and Jan 27, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Prepare, clean and sand surfaces to be painted | 83 |
|---|---|
| Apply paint, wallpaper and other materials and finishes to interior and exterior surfaces | 80 |
| Repair cracks and holes | 77 |
| Mix paint to desired colour and texture | 75 |
| Advise consumers on colours and choice of wall coverings | 57 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 48 |
| Personal Suitability: Flexibility | 43 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 42 |
| Personal Suitability: Client focus | 36 |
| Personal Suitability: Initiative | 35 |
To work in Alberta, a painter and decorator must be ONE of the following:
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them. They must also meet ONE of the following:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.
The term of apprenticeship is 3 years (three 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,300 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.
Painter and decorator apprentices may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).
Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Painters and decorators apply paint, coatings and other finishes to the interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures. For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act [pdf] and Painter and Decorator Trade Regulation [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.
The term of apprenticeship in Alberta is 3 years (three 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,300 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices, and successfully complete technical training examinations.
Painter and decorators trained in other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board or have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified in Alberta. For more information, see the Recognized Trade Certificates page of the Tradesecrets website.
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on “Contact Us” on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).
Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Painters and decorators are employed by contractors involved in new construction, repair, alteration or remodelling work, and organizations that own or manage large buildings such as apartment complexes or schools. Many are self-employed.
Although there is indoor painting to do in the winter, the work is somewhat seasonal. Employment prospects are also affected by economic conditions, particularly in the construction industry.
Experienced painters and decorators may advance to supervisory positions with painting and decorating contractors, or set up their own businesses.
In Alberta, 79% of people employed as painters and decorators work in the Construction [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the H144: Painters and Decorators occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.1% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 7 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Journeyperson painters and decorators wage rates vary but generally range from $21 to $42 an hour plus benefits (2019 estimates). Apprentices earn 55% of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 75% in the second and 85% in the third.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.00 | $28.00 | $21.03 | $18.00 |
| Overall | $20.00 | $40.00 | $26.38 | $22.00 |
| Top | $23.00 | $48.00 | $30.71 | $30.00 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $72,242 |
|---|---|
| Educational Services | $70,593 |
| Manufacturing | $68,263 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $57,791 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $52,848 |
| Construction | $41,485 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Alberta Painting Contractors Association website: apca.ca
BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca
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Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.