Painters in the US earn $46,080 on average — with commercial specialists, foremen, and business owners earning $60,000-$120,000+.
Average Painter Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $46,080 |
| Median salary | $43,500 |
| Entry level | $30,000-$36,000 |
| Experienced (5-10 years) | $42,000-$55,000 |
| Foreman/Specialist | $55,000-$75,000 |
| Hourly rate | $22.15 |
Painter Salary by Experience Level
| Level | Years | Salary Range | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helper/Apprentice | 0-1 | $26,000-$32,000 | $12-$15 |
| Entry Level Painter | 1-2 | $32,000-$40,000 | $15-$19 |
| Journeyman | 3-5 | $40,000-$52,000 | $19-$25 |
| Senior Painter | 5-10 | $50,000-$62,000 | $24-$30 |
| Foreman | 7+ | $55,000-$75,000 | $26-$36 |
| Estimator | 5+ | $50,000-$70,000 | Varies |
Painter Salary by State
| State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $61,500 | $29.57 | +33% |
| Hawaii | $60,200 | $28.94 | +31% |
| Illinois | $58,900 | $28.32 | +28% |
| New York | $57,400 | $27.60 | +25% |
| Massachusetts | $56,100 | $26.97 | +22% |
| California | $55,800 | $26.83 | +21% |
| New Jersey | $55,200 | $26.54 | +20% |
| Washington | $54,100 | $26.01 | +17% |
| Connecticut | $53,400 | $25.67 | +16% |
| Oregon | $52,200 | $25.10 | +13% |
| Texas | $42,500 | $20.43 | -8% |
| Florida | $41,200 | $19.81 | -11% |
| Georgia | $40,100 | $19.28 | -13% |
| Mississippi | $35,800 | $17.21 | -22% |
Painter Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Painter | $56,000 | High |
| Commercial Painter | $50,000 | Very High |
| Automotive Painter | $48,000 | Moderate |
| Marine Painter | $52,000 | Niche |
| Residential Painter | $42,000 | High |
| Paper Hanger | $48,000 | Moderate |
| Drywall Finisher | $50,000 | High |
| Faux Finish/Decorative | $52,000 | Niche |
| Spray Painter (Industrial) | $54,000 | High |
Union vs. Non-Union Painter Pay
| Type | Average Wage | Benefits | Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union (IUPAT) | $28-$48/hour | Excellent | $65,000-$105,000 |
| Non-Union | $16-$28/hour | Varies | $34,000-$60,000 |
Union painters in major cities (NYC, Chicago, LA) can earn $40-$55/hour plus full benefits.
Residential vs. Commercial Painting
| Type | Hourly Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | $16-$30/hour | Flexible, varied work | Lower pay, inconsistent |
| Commercial | $22-$40/hour | Steady work, benefits | Physical demands, early hours |
| Industrial | $25-$45/hour | Highest pay | Hazardous conditions |
How to Become a Painter
| Step | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| On-the-job training | 1-2 years | Paid |
| Union apprenticeship | 3-4 years | Paid |
| EPA Lead-Safe certification | 1 day | $200-$300 |
| OSHA 10/30 | 1-4 days | $25-$200 |
| Specialty certifications | Varies | $100-$500 |
Painter Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% growth for painters through 2032 — average growth.
Factors driving demand:
- Housing renovation boom
- Commercial building maintenance
- New construction
- Lead paint remediation
- Aging housing stock
Earning More as a Painter
Self-employed painters and business owners can earn significantly more:
| Business Size | Owner Earnings |
|---|---|
| Solo painter | $50,000-$80,000 |
| 2-3 employees | $70,000-$120,000 |
| 5-10 employees | $100,000-$200,000 |
| Large company | $150,000-$400,000+ |
How to Maximize Painter Earnings
- Join a union — 40-70% higher total compensation
- Specialize — Industrial, commercial, decorative finishes
- Get certified — Lead-safe, OSHA, manufacturer certs
- Learn related skills — Drywall, wallpaper, faux finishes
- Move to high-paying areas — Major cities, Alaska, Hawaii
- Become a foreman — 20-40% more than journeymen
- Start a business — Highest earning potential
Related Salaries
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, union wage data, job posting analysis. Updated March 2026.