Painter at Painters USA
at Painters USA in Glendale Heights, IL
About This Program
The Painters USA Painter Apprenticeship is a registered program based in Glendale Heights, IL, offering structured, paid training in the painting trades for motivated individuals in the greater Chicago area. Sponsored through Painters USA, this program provides a clear pathway to a skilled trade career without traditional classroom tuition costs.
The 3-year program includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop real-world skills in surface preparation, brush, roller, and spray application, coating and material selection, and finishing techniques suited to residential and commercial environments. Technical instruction covers safety standards, materials handling, color theory, and trade practices.
Upon completing the apprenticeship, graduates qualify as journey-level painters with the hands-on experience and technical knowledge employers value. Apprentices earn wages throughout the program, making this a practical choice for those who want to start earning immediately while working toward a durable, skilled career in Glendale Heights, IL.
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.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Painter
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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