Painter Salary Guide

Painters prepare, paint, and finish interior and exterior surfaces on residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Responsibilities include surface preparation (sanding, patching, priming), selecting and applying paints and coatings, operating spraying equipment, ensuring proper masking and protection, and following safety and environmental regulations.

What is the average Painter salary?

Entry Level

$28,000 - $38,000

Mid Level

$38,000 - $55,000

Senior Level

$55,000 - $85,000+

How does Painter salary grow with experience?

$24,000 - $30,000

0-1

$30,000 - $42,000

1-3

$42,000 - $55,000

3-5

$55,000 - $72,000

5-10

$65,000 - $100,000++

10+

Base (min)

Top of range (max)

Max: $100k

Painter salary by location

New York City, NY$45,000 - $90,000

Los Angeles, CA$42,000 - $80,000

Chicago, IL$36,000 - $70,000

Houston, TX$34,000 - $65,000

Seattle, WA$40,000 - $82,000

Base (min)

Top of range (max)

What factors affect a Painter's salary?

Geographic location and local cost of living
Type of work (residential, commercial, industrial, or historic restoration)
Specialized skills and certifications (spray application, EPA RRP, scaffold/boom lift)
Union membership or contractor status (union wages and benefits vs independent contractors)
Experience level and supervisory or project management responsibilities

Frequently Asked Questions About Painter Salaries

What is the average salary for a painter in the United States?

The average painter salary in the U.S. ranges from about $38,000 to $55,000 annually, with entry-level roles near $28,000 and experienced/senior painters earning $55,000–$85,000 or more depending on skills and location.

How does experience affect a painter's pay?

Experience typically increases pay: apprentices/entry-level painters earn the least, journeyman or mid-level painters earn a solid middle-range salary, and lead contractors or master painters earn the highest rates, often augmented by supervisory duties and specialized skills.

Which locations pay painters the most?

Major metropolitan areas with high living costs and strong construction demand—such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Seattle—tend to offer the highest painter pay, while smaller markets and rural areas generally pay less.

What skills or certifications increase a painter's earnings?

Specialized skills and credentials—like commercial coating application, spray-paint certification, lead-safe renovation (EPA RRP), scaffold/boom lift certification, and experience with historic restoration—can significantly boost wages or contract rates.