Painter at Atlanta Painters Jac
at Atlanta Painters Jac in Decatur, GA
About This Program
The Atlanta Painters JAC offers a union JATC Painter Apprenticeship based in Decatur, GA. This joint apprenticeship committee program serves the greater Atlanta metropolitan area, training individuals in the painting and finishing trades with the support of labor and management partners in the construction industry.
The program runs for three years and is built on 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training combined with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop hands-on skills in surface preparation, interior and exterior painting, wallcovering installation, spray application, and specialty finish work on commercial and residential projects. Classroom instruction covers safety and OSHA standards, lead paint regulations, color theory, coating materials, and professional painting techniques. Apprentices are compensated throughout training with wages that increase as they progress.
Graduates earn journeyman Painter status through a recognized union program, connecting them to employment opportunities across Atlanta's dynamic construction market. The JAC's labor-management structure ensures apprentices receive consistent, quality training aligned with industry standards.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$22
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
432
Duration
3 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
How to Apply
Painter Career Outlook
National Median
$22.47/hr
~$46,737.6/yr
Apprentice Start
$14/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Painter employment is projected to grow in line with construction and renovation activity. Residential repainting and commercial building maintenance provide steady, recurring demand. Painters with industrial coating experience, lead abatement certification, or decorative finishing skills command higher wages and have the strongest employment prospects.
What to Expect as a Painter Apprentice
Duration
3 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (6,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
432 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Painter
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.