Want to know more about how much you could earn by working in the painting and decorating sector? 

With significant shortages still being felt right across the construction industry, demand for skilled tradespeople remains consistently high, making now a potentially great time to explore it as a new career.

Amongst the many trades likely to find their skills sought-after in both the immediate and long-term future are painters and decorators, especially given Labour’s plans to build more than one million new homes within the current parliament.

Average earnings for painters and decorators

Like any profession, the average salary of painters and decorators will vary based on several factors, including experience, location and your employer. Below are a few different examples from Indeed’s salary data based on various positions within the industry. 

  • Painter/labourer: £29,336
  • Full-time painter & decorator: £36,492
  • Interior decorator: £34,425
  • Interior designer: £44,190
  • Handyperson: £45,253

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, Indeed’s salary data doesn’t show any major disparity between earnings in London and the rest of the UK. For example, according to Indeed, a full-time painter and decorator in London averages around £36,617 at the time of writing. This figure sits at £37,130 for Birmingham, £35,592 for Manchester and £36,553 for Leeds. 

The three highest earning regions for painters and decorators are currently Wellingborough (£42,463), Bristol (£38,492) and York (£38,163). 

According to data from Checkatrade, a painter and decorator’s yearly earnings could rise as high as £54,576 for a self-employed sole trader, and up to £70,802 for limited company owners.

How could painters and decorators boost their earnings? 

It’s not uncommon for painters and decorators to pursue training in related skill sets that can complement and grow their current offerings. Areas like carpentry, plastering, tiling and bricklaying are all great crossover trades to consider expanding into, allowing you to offer a fuller service and helping you to stand out to potential customers and employers. 

Developing basic electrical skills is also something worth considering, as this could help with common tasks such as changing light fittings or electrical sockets when decorating a room. 

What progression opportunities are there for painters and decorators? 

There is a wide range of progression pathways that someone working in the painting and decorating industry may go on to explore. Once a decent level of experience has been built, many people go on to set up their own business, which in turn can boost earning potential and provide greater control over work-life balance. 

Other avenues could include moving into more specialist areas, such as interior design, heritage conservation, or even set design. For those who do decide to expand their skill set, going on to become a skilled handyperson is another common option. 

If pursuing a career as a painter and decorator is something you’re interested in, then Able Skills offers a range of accredited courses that can equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in the industry. You can find more information about all of these courses online here.