Painter & Decorator Jobs in the UK

Painter and decorator jobs are available everywhere — from new-build housing estates to social housing maintenance contracts. If you've got your CSCS card and a steady hand, rates of £18-28/hour are within reach.

Painter & Decorator Pay Rates 2026

• Painter (CSCS blue card): £17-21/hour
• Experienced Painter/Decorator: £20-25/hour
• Specialist Painter (industrial/high-rise): £23-28/hour
• Day rate (contract): £150-£200/day

London and South East rates are typically 15-20% higher.

What Tickets Do Painters Need?

• CSCS blue skilled worker card (or red trainee card)
• NVQ Level 2 in Painting and Decorating
• Asbestos awareness certificate
• Working at height ticket (for high-rise work)
• IPAF ticket (for cherry picker / scissor lift work)

Types of Painter Jobs

• New-build residential: fresh plaster, first coat through to finish — high volume, steady work
• Social housing maintenance: ongoing contracts with MEARS, Clarion, SNG — stable, long-term
• Commercial decorating: offices, shops, hotels — often higher spec, higher rates
• Industrial painting: bridges, factories, steelwork — specialist tickets needed, best pay

Finding Painter & Decorator Jobs

MEARS Group, Daniel Owen, and Randstad CPE all regularly place painters and decorators across the UK. Browse SiteJobs for live painter vacancies — every listing has a real phone number so you can call direct.