Painter / decorator: how busy are decorators?
Steady Shortest wait of the common trades (median 2 weeks) and not lengthening, per TradeMatch. Painting businesses fell 6% year on year (Markel).
Median wait of 2 weeks to start (TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026).
The figures
| Where | Measure | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Extra workers needed per year, 2026-2030 CITB group: Painters and decorators | 760 workers per year | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Extra workers needed per year (% of workforce) CITB group: Painters and decorators | 1.1% | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Change in number of businesses, year on year Painting businesses, year-on-year change | -6% | Year to mid-2025 | Markel Direct via Fix Radio, 15 Jul 2025 |
| UK | Median wait to start (weeks) Capacity status per TradeMatch: Easy | 2 weeks | Q3 2025 to Q1 2026 | TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026 |
| UK | Slowest 10% wait (weeks) 90th-percentile wait | 4 weeks | Q3 2025 to Q1 2026 | TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026 |
| UK | Workforce, 2025 CITB group: Painters and decorators | 70,090 workers | 2025 actual | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Workforce forecast, 2030 CITB group: Painters and decorators | 71,100 workers | 2030 forecast | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| England | Experienced salary | £32,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
| England | Starter salary | £21,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
Industry backdrop
Across construction, most demand signals point quieter: PMI 43.6 in October 2026 and builders' enquiries at -10 in H1 2026. See all demand signals.
Getting into the trade
- Apprenticeship: Painter and Decorator (Level 2) / Craft Painter and Decorator (Level 3)
- College course, then a trainee role
- Start as an assistant or mate and train on the job
- Private adult courses for career-changers (below)
Routes: National Careers Service job profile
| Provider | Course | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Able Skills | 5 Day Advanced Wallpapering Course | £525 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Painting & Decorating Course with Training for NVQ Level 2 | £2,995 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Level 2 Painting & Decorating Diploma | £3,995 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Introduction to Painting & Decorating | £525 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | City & Guilds Painting & Decorating Course | £2,495 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Hands-On Painting & Decorating Course | £1,495 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Advanced Painting & Decorating Course | £525 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | 5 Day Introductory Wallpapering Course | £525 inc VAT |
Prices as published on providers' sites, checked 10 November 2026. Listing is not an endorsement, and no provider has paid to appear.
Common questions
How long is the wait for decorators?
TradeMatch's 2026 Wait-Time Index put the median wait for painter / decorator at 2 weeks from accepting a quote to work starting, with the slowest 10% waiting 4 weeks (jobs from Q3 2025 to Q1 2026).
Source: TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026
Are decorators getting busier or quieter?
Steady. Shortest wait of the common trades (median 2 weeks) and not lengthening, per TradeMatch. Painting businesses fell 6% year on year (Markel). Across construction as a whole, most indicators point quieter: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026.
Source: TradeMatch Wait-Time Index, 21 Apr 2026; Markel Direct via Fix Radio, 15 Jul 2025; S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026
Is there a shortage of decorators?
CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook says the UK needs about 760 extra painters and decorators a year from 2026 to 2030 to cover growth and people leaving, around 1.1% of the current workforce each year.
Source: CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026