Painting & finishing apprenticeships in Illinois

DOL OA framing for this trade filter

• Starting point only. Many valid painting & finishing sponsors will not match our keywords; many keyword hits may train other occupations too.
• No invented stats. We do not invent openings, wages, or “X apprentices in this trade” figures. The number above is keyword matches in this state’s public partners file.
• Verify: confirm registration and occupation on apprenticeship.gov before you apply. List order prefers educators / training-named orgs - not paid placement.
• Search hint: search the sponsor’s organization name on apprenticeship.gov (add city/state if the name is common). We do not invent openings - only the sponsor and .gov listing can confirm hiring.

How to find a registered apprenticeship · Counselor kit.

State apprenticeship registration in Illinois

Illinois is listed under the federal Office of Apprenticeship (OA) on apprenticeship.gov. OA field offices register and oversee programs where there is no recognized SAA (OA may also register some programs in SAA states).

• Apprenticeship system (OA vs SAA map) · retrieved 2026-10-28
• U.S. DOL - State Apprenticeship Agencies contact directory
• apprenticeship.gov partner / job finder

Source: Apprenticeship.gov - Apprenticeship System (OA vs SAA) · retrieved 2026-10-28.

Pay (state median wage)

BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage for Painters, Construction and Maintenance (SOC 47-2141) in Illinois: $61,260 median annual / $29.45 median hourly. OEWS estimates cover employed workers in the occupation, not apprenticeship starting pay. Confirm the wage schedule with the sponsor. Mapping note: Primary painting SOC. Glaziers (47-2121) and drywall installers (47-2081) are not used for this wage cell.

Citation: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · retrieved October 28, 2026.

How to apply

Public DOL / apprenticeship.gov framing only. We do not invent openings, wages, or application windows.

1. Shortlist sponsors on this page

   Use the top sponsors and full list below. Trade tags are keyword matches on organization names - ask which occupations they actually train.

2. Cross-check on official tools

   Search the same organization name on apprenticeship.gov and the apprenticeship job finder (add city/state if the name is common). Prefer official tools when listings differ.

3. Confirm registration and occupation

   Ask whether the program is registered, which occupations are open, and whether they hire first or accept public applications. Listing here ≠ an opening.

4. Ask for standards in writing

   Request starting wage schedule, related-instruction schedule, tools you must buy, and probation rules before you treat a row as a plan.

5. Double-check before anyone applies

   Parents/counselors: counselor kit and find a registered apprenticeship. Re-check apprenticeship.gov the day you apply.