Painter at Painters and Tapers JATC of Northern CA
at Painters and Tapers JATC of Northern CA in San Leandro, CA
About This Program
The Painters and Tapers JATC of Northern CA offers a union Painter Apprenticeship based in San Leandro, CA. This JATC program trains both painters and drywall tapers, giving apprentices skills in two closely related finishing trades that are essential to residential and commercial construction throughout the Bay Area and Northern California.
The program spans three years and includes 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn surface preparation, interior and exterior painting, wallcovering application, and taping and finishing of drywall. Technical instruction covers coating systems, safety regulations, color mixing, tool operation, and the correct application of joint compounds and finishing materials. Apprentices are compensated throughout training with wages typically increasing at program milestones.
Graduates earn journeyman status in the painting and taping trades, positioning them for steady employment on union construction projects across Northern California. The region's active housing and commercial construction market creates ongoing demand for skilled finishing tradespeople.
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.
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
Licensing in California
Painters in California are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by California Contractors State License Board.
View full Californialicensing requirements →Reviews
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