Painter

O*NET: Painters, Construction and Maintenance·47-2141.00

The Verdict:Painting demands hands-on work across unique building surfaces — ladders, scaffolding, irregular walls, weather variables. No robot handles prep, application, or finishing in real structures today. AI aids estimates and color selection, boosting efficiency without replacing the craft. Steady demand from construction and renovation secures the role long-term.

Resilience Score

/100

Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$49k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+3.8%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 1 of 19 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
15 of 19 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 16% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

1exposed

3AI leverage

15human-essential

View all 19 tasks

AI Can Handle This1 task

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Calculate amounts of required materials and estimate costs, based on surface measurements or work orders.

AI Leverage3 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors or homeowners to determine work requirements.

Select and purchase tools or finishes for surfaces to be covered, considering durability, ease of handling, methods of application, and customers' wishes.

Mix and match colors of paint, stain, or varnish with oil or thinning and drying additives to obtain desired colors and consistencies.

Human Advantage15 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Cover surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.

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.

Wash and treat surfaces with oil, turpentine, mildew remover, or other preparations, and sand rough spots to ensure that finishes will adhere properly.

Apply primers or sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare wood or metal, for finish coats.

Remove old finishes by stripping, sanding, wire brushing, burning, or using water or abrasive blasting.

Remove fixtures such as pictures, door knobs, lamps, or electric switch covers prior to painting.

Use special finishing techniques such as sponging, ragging, layering, or faux finishing.

Waterproof buildings, using waterproofers or caulking.

Polish final coats to specified finishes.

Cut stencils and brush or spray lettering or decorations on surfaces.

Clean tools and equipment, such as brushes and rollers.

Hang wallpaper.

Resilience Landscape

Painter lands in Stable, Lower Pay

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