Lead Painter

You run the crew and the job. You estimate the project, pick the right products, manage 2-3 painters, and make sure the finished product looks flawless. You're the one doing the cut-in work on the hard stuff — 20-foot ceilings, detailed trim, cabinets — while your crew handles the roller work. You've developed spray skills that turn a room in minutes and an eye for color that would impress a Pantone engineer.

What you'll actually do

• 01Estimate jobs and walk clients through product options (no, the cheapest paint is not 'just as good')
• 02Manage a crew of 2-3 painters and assign tasks based on skill level
• 03Handle the precision work — cut-ins, cabinets, trim, and anything requiring a steady hand
• 04Set up and operate airless sprayers for large commercial and residential jobs
• 05Quality-check every room before the client sees it and find the one drip they'd notice
• 06Keep the job on schedule despite weather delays and clients who change colors mid-project

Career Path

Where this role sits in the bigger picture — and where it can take you.