How to become a painter in the UK
By The Busy Busy Index team · Updated 10 November 2026 · Every figure links to its source
Is there demand?
Steady Shortest wait of the common trades (median 2 weeks) and not lengthening, per TradeMatch. Painting businesses fell 6% year on year (Markel). CITB says the UK needs about 760 extra painters and decorators a year to 2030 (CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026).
What it pays
Starter £21,000, experienced £32,000 a year on average in England (National Careers Service, not stated (live pages)).
Routes in
- 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
Key figures for decorators
| 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 |
What the wider market is doing
Across construction, demand is softening: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026 (S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026) and the CPA expects private housing repair, maintenance and improvement work to fall 8% in 2026 (CPA Autumn forecasts, 26 Oct 2026). Longer term, CITB estimates the UK needs about 760 extra workers a year in painters and decorators on average to 2030 (CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026). Training takes time, so it's worth thinking about where demand will be when you qualify, not just today. See all demand signals.
Courses and published prices
| 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.