Painter at Painter JATC of Ne. Pa
at Painter JATC of Ne. Pa in Drums, PA
About This Program
The Painter JATC of NE PA Painter Apprenticeship is a registered union program based in Drums, PA, serving apprentices in northeastern Pennsylvania. Operated as a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program, it is jointly managed by labor and management to deliver structured, high-quality training alongside union wages and benefits.
The 3-year apprenticeship includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work under experienced union journeymen to develop skills in surface preparation, paint and coating application, spray and brush techniques, color mixing, and finishing quality standards across residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Classroom instruction covers occupational safety, materials knowledge, trade regulations, and industry best practices.
Graduates earn journey-level status as union painters prepared for skilled work across northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond. Union membership provides access to negotiated pay scales, health benefits, and retirement contributions from day one, and the earn-while-you-learn model means apprentices are paid a wage throughout their entire 3-year program in Drums, PA.
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
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