Painter & Decorator
Prepare and decorate interior and exterior surfaces using paint, wallpaper, and specialist coatings — combining technical skill with an eye for finish and detail.
Moderate
Moderate
2–3 years via apprenticeship; college routes take 1–2 years; some employers hire with no qualifications and train
Level 2 NVQ (Painting and Decorating)
typical
What you do
Painters and decorators prepare surfaces (filling, sanding, priming), apply paint and finishes by brush, roller, and spray, hang wallpaper and specialist coverings, and produce decorative effects. Work ranges from rapid production painting on new-build housing to high-end residential and commercial projects requiring meticulous preparation and finish. Specialist skills include spray application, faux finishes, gilding, and heritage restoration painting. Some decorators move into colour consultancy or property renovation.
Why this career is resilient
Painting and decorating is tactile, varied, and requires judgement about surface preparation, material compatibility, and finish quality that cannot be automated for the domestic and small commercial market. Self-employment rates are high and clients are local, making the trade highly resistant to offshoring. UK housing stock creates constant renovation demand.
A typical day
A self-employed decorator's day might include a morning preparing woodwork and cutting in on a bathroom repaint, an afternoon hanging feature wallpaper in a bedroom, and an evening sending quotes for upcoming jobs.
Routes in
Apprenticeship
Earn while you learn: work with an employer and study part-time, leading to a nationally recognised qualification. Typically funded by the government and your employer.
Full-time college course
Study full-time at a further education college, usually for 1–2 years. You will need to fund yourself or apply for a student loan (available for Level 4+ courses).
Employer-funded training
Some employers — particularly the NHS, emergency services, and larger care providers — run their own funded training programmes. You apply for a job and train as you work.
Pay and costs
Earning potential: Employed painters and decorators earn £24,000–£36,000. Self-employed decorators on domestic and light commercial work commonly earn £30,000–£50,000. Specialist finishes command premium rates.
Training costs: Apprenticeship: no upfront cost. College: £800–£2,000. Basic decorator's kit (brushes, rollers, steps, dust sheets): £300–£800.