Occupation in tension: house painter

The construction industry is one of the leading employers in France and the majority of trades that constitute it are in tension. In the Top 10 professions that recruit the most in 2022 according to Pôle Emploi, that of “skilled worker in the painting and finishing of the building” is positioned in 6th place.

With 90 temporary work and recruitment agencies specializing in Industry & Construction throughout France, the LIP Group knows perfectly well this profession which is not talked about first and yet which is in high demand from recruiters. For the LIP agency in Villeurbanne in the Rhône, for example, jobs for painters represent more than half of customer requests.

Daily life: Skills and qualities required

Under the responsibility of a team leader, outside or inside, in houses, offices, shops or public places, the house painter can work on any kind of construction site. He intervenes to take care of the painting and finishing, after the passage of his colleagues from the structural work and the finishing work.

His work is extremely important since it allows the constructions to be cleaned up before the building is furnished and inhabited. But before getting out the brushes, this construction professional must sometimes erect scaffolding, protect his working environment, secure the site and prepare the supports.

To become a good house painter, you have to master the technical gestures, know the supports, the materials and the coatings to be applied. He must be meticulous and precise, know how to adapt to all sites, love customer relations and teamwork.

Training and development: Prospects and recruiting companies

Several training courses are available from the CAP to learn the profession of house painter. With a pro painting and coatings certificate, a pro baccalaureate in building planning and finishing or a BTS in finishing planning, it is possible to aim for a management position.

At the start of a career, the gross annual salary of a beginner is around 19.200 euros per year, slightly more than the minimum wage, and can reach 27.000 euros for an experienced profile. A house painter also receives bonuses and allowances to cover his meal, travel and even accommodation costs. After gaining experience, a house painter can become a team leader or site manager. By becoming a self-employed craftsman, he can receive an annual remuneration of 52.000 euros gross.

The companies that recruit today are VSEs and SMEs specializing in building construction and renovation work. Many positions to be filled throughout France, in CDI, CDD and interim. Pôle Emploi communicates on 11.670 recruitment projects for this profession in France in 2022 with the Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Nouvelle Aquitaine regions in the lead.