Welcome to TOP JOB 2024. To say it’s our biggest and best issue of the year would be an understatement. This is the one you’ve been waiting for: The yearly crowning of the best of the best in our industry.

What truly stands out this year is the diversity of the winners. The stereotype may persist that painting is largely the bailiwick of white males, but this year’s champions stand as testament that great work knows no gender or color. More than half the winners were either female-owned businesses or operated by people of color.

You’ll also notice a lot of variety in the types of projects that won this year’s honors. There was a healthy mix of commercial and residential, but also churches and schools. (Residential was still the king with 11 of 20 TOP JOBS). There is a good distribution of small, medium, and large projects, showing its not the size of the job that counts, but the excellence of its execution.

Another area of diversity: Geographic. The TOP JOBs come from 15 different states. From Austin, Texas, to Edina, Minnesota; from Visalia, California, to Elmsford, New York. Notably, Missouri was the state with the most TOP JOB honorees: Three.

They may be a diverse group, but this year’s TOP JOBs also have a lot in common. They feature meticulous craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a dedication that doesn’t abide cutting corners.

There is one thing we could all learn from them: Photos sell. Stunning Before and Afters ruled the day. We’d all do well to follow their lead and take well-lit and composed photos of the work that will earn us the next job (or a TOP JOB 2025 award).

Enjoy this year’s TOP JOBs, and be sure to congratulate the winners on social media and this year’s PCA EXPO. They’ve earned their flowers.