Painter at IUPAT International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 9 - Puerto Rico
at IUPAT International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 9 - Puerto Rico in New York, NY
About This Program
The IUPAT International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 9 – Puerto Rico Painter Apprenticeship is a registered union JATC program administered from New York, NY. Backed by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, this program offers apprentices union training, wages, and representation from the very start of their career in the finishing trades.
The 3-year program includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training combined with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn surface preparation, application of paints, stains, and specialty coatings, spray and brush techniques, color mixing, and finishing standards across residential, commercial, and institutional settings. Classroom instruction covers trade safety, materials science, industry regulations, and labor standards.
Graduates earn journey-level status as union painters with the training and credentials to work on a broad range of projects. Union membership through IUPAT DC 9 provides access to negotiated pay scales, health benefits, and retirement contributions, and the earn-while-you-learn model ensures apprentices are compensated throughout their full 3-year program.
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.