Painter Salary Overview
The Painter is one of the most important roles in the Trades & Construction sector of the US economy in 2026. With a median annual salary of $46,540, compensation for this position ranges from $30,600 at the entry level to $68,200 for highly experienced professionals in top-paying markets.
This career typically requires High school diploma with on-the-job training or 2-3 year apprenticeship through IUPAT (International Union of Painters and Allied Trades); trade school programs available. Valued professional credentials include EPA Lead-Safe certification (required for pre-1978 buildings), OSHA 10/30-hour, industrial painting certifications (NACE/SSPC coatings inspector), scaffold certification, confined space certification for tank painting. On a day-to-day basis, professionals in this role focus on preparing surfaces (sanding, scraping, patching, priming), applying paint and coatings using brushes, rollers, and sprayers, matching colors and mixing paints, protecting non-paint surfaces, applying industrial coatings for corrosion protection, removing lead-based paint safely, finishing drywall seams and textures, and estimating material quantities.
The job market for this position shows 5% from 2022-2032 driven by residential renovation, commercial maintenance, industrial coatings, and lead paint remediation requirements growth, with demand strongest in specializations including residential repainting, commercial new construction, industrial coatings (bridges, tanks), decorative/faux finishing, drywall finishing, and wallcovering installation. Paint-spraying robots exist for automotive and manufacturing finishes, but residential, commercial, renovation, and custom painting work requires human adaptability, surface judgment, and access to varied environments
Salary Range: The typical Painter in the US earns between $30,600 and $68,200 per year, with a median of $46,540.
What Does a Painter Do?
A Painter spends their workday preparing surfaces (sanding, scraping, patching, priming), applying paint and coatings using brushes, rollers, and sprayers, matching colors and mixing paints, protecting non-paint surfaces, applying industrial coatings for corrosion protection, removing lead-based paint safely, finishing drywall seams and textures, and estimating material quantities. The role requires proficiency with industry-standard tools and technologies including brushes, rollers, airless sprayers, HVLP spray guns, sanders, scrapers, caulking guns, ladders, scaffolding, drop cloths, painter's tape, power washers, surface preparation tools (grinders, blasters).
The typical work environment involves residential homes, commercial buildings, or industrial facilities (tanks, bridges); indoor and outdoor work; ladder and scaffold work at heights; exposure to fumes and chemicals; flexible scheduling for residential work; seasonal in exterior applications; relatively lower physical demand than other trades. Within the profession, you can specialize in areas such as residential repainting, commercial new construction, industrial coatings (bridges, tanks), decorative/faux finishing, drywall finishing, and wallcovering installation, each requiring different skill sets and offering different compensation levels.
Day-to-day responsibilities vary based on seniority and organization size. Entry-level professionals often focus on execution tasks under supervision, while senior professionals take on strategic planning, mentoring, and cross-functional leadership.
Painter Salary by Experience
Compensation for a Painter increases substantially with experience. Entry-level professionals (0-2 years) typically earn around $30,716, while mid-career professionals (3-6 years) reach the median of $46,540. Senior professionals (7-12 years) earn approximately $65,156, and those in lead or principal roles can expect $65,156 or more.
The typical career progression follows this path: Painter's Helper → Apprentice Painter → Journeyman Painter → Lead Painter → Foreman → Painting Contractor → Business Owner. Each advancement typically requires 2-4 years and demonstrating increasing scope of responsibility.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $30,716 | $15/hr | $26,310 |
| Mid | $46,540 | $22/hr | $38,350 |
| Senior | $65,156 | $31/hr | $51,913 |
| Lead | $65,156 | $31/hr | $51,913 |
Painter Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Painter in each US state.
Geographic location significantly impacts Painter compensation. The top-paying states for this role include Hawaii (highest wages), Alaska (premium pay), New York (union scale), Illinois (union rates), Massachusetts (high demand/renovation).
States with no income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Tennessee) offer an effective pay boost of 3-9% compared to high-tax states like California or New York, though these states often compensate with higher cost of living or property taxes. When evaluating offers, consider both gross salary and after-tax take-home pay.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,540 | $3,546 | $2,162 | $3,560 | $37,271 | 19.9% |
| Alaska | $46,540 | $3,546 | $0 | $3,560 | $39,433 | 15.3% |
| Arizona | $46,540 | $3,546 | $798 | $3,560 | $38,635 | 17.0% |
| Arkansas | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,822 | $3,560 | $37,612 | 19.2% |
| California | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,083 | $3,560 | $38,350 | 17.6% |
| Colorado | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,388 | $3,560 | $38,046 | 18.3% |
| Connecticut | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,844 | $3,560 | $37,589 | 19.2% |
| Delaware | $46,540 | $3,546 | $2,016 | $3,560 | $37,417 | 19.6% |
| District of Columbia | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,716 | $3,560 | $37,717 | 19.0% |
| Florida | $46,540 | $3,546 | $0 | $3,560 | $39,433 | 15.3% |
| Georgia | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,896 | $3,560 | $37,537 | 19.3% |
| Hawaii | $46,540 | $3,546 | $2,924 | $3,560 | $36,509 | 21.6% |
| Idaho | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,853 | $3,560 | $37,581 | 19.3% |
| Illinois | $46,540 | $3,546 | $2,166 | $3,560 | $37,267 | 19.9% |
| Indiana | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,419 | $3,560 | $38,014 | 18.3% |
| Iowa | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,769 | $3,560 | $37,665 | 19.1% |
| Kansas | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,996 | $3,560 | $37,438 | 19.6% |
| Kentucky | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,735 | $3,560 | $37,698 | 19.0% |
| Louisiana | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,423 | $3,560 | $38,011 | 18.3% |
| Maine | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,908 | $3,560 | $37,525 | 19.4% |
| Maryland | $46,540 | $3,546 | $2,037 | $3,560 | $37,396 | 19.6% |
| Massachusetts | $46,540 | $3,546 | $2,107 | $3,560 | $37,326 | 19.8% |
| Michigan | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,740 | $3,560 | $37,693 | 19.0% |
| Minnesota | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,714 | $3,560 | $37,719 | 19.0% |
| Mississippi | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,609 | $3,560 | $37,824 | 18.7% |
| Missouri | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,363 | $3,560 | $38,070 | 18.2% |
| Montana | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,638 | $3,560 | $37,795 | 18.8% |
| Nebraska | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,229 | $3,560 | $38,205 | 17.9% |
| Nevada | $46,540 | $3,546 | $0 | $3,560 | $39,433 | 15.3% |
| New Hampshire | $46,540 | $3,546 | $0 | $3,560 | $39,433 | 15.3% |
| New Jersey | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,079 | $3,560 | $38,355 | 17.6% |
| New Mexico | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,286 | $3,560 | $38,148 | 18.0% |
| New York | $46,540 | $3,546 | $2,041 | $3,560 | $37,392 | 19.7% |
| North Carolina | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,521 | $3,560 | $37,913 | 18.5% |
| North Dakota | $46,540 | $3,546 | $623 | $3,560 | $38,811 | 16.6% |
| Ohio | $46,540 | $3,546 | $562 | $3,560 | $38,871 | 16.5% |
| Oklahoma | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,721 | $3,560 | $37,713 | 19.0% |
| Oregon | $46,540 | $3,546 | $3,547 | $3,560 | $35,886 | 22.9% |
| Pennsylvania | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,429 | $3,560 | $38,005 | 18.3% |
| Rhode Island | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,350 | $3,560 | $38,084 | 18.2% |
| South Carolina | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,351 | $3,560 | $38,082 | 18.2% |
| South Dakota | $46,540 | $3,546 | $0 | $3,560 | $39,433 | 15.3% |
| Tennessee | $46,540 | $3,546 | $0 | $3,560 | $39,433 | 15.3% |
| Texas | $46,540 | $3,546 | $0 | $3,560 | $39,433 | 15.3% |
| Utah | $46,540 | $3,546 | $2,164 | $3,560 | $37,269 | 19.9% |
| Vermont | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,323 | $3,560 | $38,110 | 18.1% |
| Virginia | $46,540 | $3,546 | $2,160 | $3,560 | $37,274 | 19.9% |
| Washington | $46,540 | $3,546 | $0 | $3,560 | $39,433 | 15.3% |
| West Virginia | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,548 | $3,560 | $37,885 | 18.6% |
| Wisconsin | $46,540 | $3,546 | $1,379 | $3,560 | $38,055 | 18.2% |
| Wyoming | $46,540 | $3,546 | $0 | $3,560 | $39,433 | 15.3% |
Top Cities for Painter Pay
Honolulu for highest painter wages; New York City for union scale; San Francisco for renovation demand; Boston for historic home restoration painting
When comparing city compensation, factor in cost of living differences. A $46,540 salary in a mid-cost city often provides more purchasing power than a 20-30% premium in San Francisco or New York.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Honolulu, HI | $51,194 |
| Anchorage, AK | $51,194 |
| New York, NY | $51,194 |
| Chicago, IL | $51,194 |
| Washington, DC | $51,194 |
Calculate Painter Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Tax Breakdown
Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Painter
Education: The typical path to becoming a Painter involves earning a High school diploma with on-the-job training or 2-3 year apprenticeship through IUPAT (International Union of Painters and Allied Trades); trade school programs available. Some professionals enter the field through alternative pathways, but formal education provides the strongest foundation for long-term career growth.
Certifications: Key professional credentials for this role include EPA Lead-Safe certification (required for pre-1978 buildings), OSHA 10/30-hour, industrial painting certifications (NACE/SSPC coatings inspector), scaffold certification, confined space certification for tank painting. These certifications demonstrate expertise to employers and often directly correlate with higher compensation.
Skills & Tools: Proficiency with brushes, rollers, airless sprayers, HVLP spray guns, sanders, scrapers, caulking guns, ladders, scaffolding, drop cloths, painter's tape, power washers, surface preparation tools (grinders, blasters) is expected for competitive candidates. Building a portfolio of work or gaining practical experience through internships, projects, or entry-level positions is essential for breaking into the field.
Timeline: Most professionals reach mid-level competency within 3-5 years of entering the field, with senior positions typically requiring 7-12 years of progressive experience.
Painter Career Outlook
Employment for the Painter role is projected to grow 5% from 2022-2032 driven by residential renovation, commercial maintenance, industrial coatings, and lead paint remediation requirements, reflecting strong demand driven by industry evolution and changing workforce needs. The most in-demand specializations include residential repainting, commercial new construction, industrial coatings (bridges, tanks), decorative/faux finishing, drywall finishing, and wallcovering installation.
AI and Automation Impact: Paint-spraying robots exist for automotive and manufacturing finishes, but residential, commercial, renovation, and custom painting work requires human adaptability, surface judgment, and access to varied environments
Professionals who combine deep technical expertise with strong communication skills and adaptability will find the best opportunities in this evolving landscape.
Tax Tips for Painter Earnings
At your income level, you're likely in the 12% federal tax bracket after the standard deduction. Here are tax strategies that can make a real difference:
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): If your household income qualifies, the EITC can provide a refundable credit of up to $600-$7,430 depending on filing status and dependents. Many eligible workers miss this benefit.
Saver's Credit: Contributing even small amounts to a 401(k) or IRA can earn you an additional tax credit of up to $1,000 ($2,000 if married filing jointly) through the Retirement Savings Contribution Credit.
Free Filing Options: With income under $79,000, you qualify for IRS Free File. Use this instead of paying for tax preparation software. Many states also offer free filing programs.
Standard Deduction: The 2026 standard deduction of $15,000 (single) or $30,000 (married filing jointly) means most workers at this income level won't benefit from itemizing. Keep things simple and take the standard deduction.
Painter Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for a Painter in the United States is $46,540 in 2026. Compensation typically ranges from $30,600 for entry-level positions to $68,200 for experienced professionals in top-paying markets. Actual pay depends on experience, location, certifications, and employer size.
On a $46,540 salary, a Painter takes home approximately $85,000-$105,000 after federal, state, and FICA taxes, depending on the state and filing status. In no-income-tax states like Texas or Florida, take-home pay is higher than in states like California or New York.
Entry-level Painter professionals with 0-2 years of experience can expect to earn around $30,716 per year. Starting salaries vary significantly by location, with major metro areas offering 15-30% premiums over rural areas.
The highest-paying states for Painter professionals include HI, AK, IL. However, when adjusted for cost of living, some mid-tier states offer better purchasing power. No-income-tax states provide an additional 3-9% effective pay boost.
The median hourly equivalent for a Painter is approximately $22.38, based on 2,080 working hours per year. Actual hourly rates vary by experience level, with senior professionals earning $10-30 more per hour than entry-level.
To become a Painter, you typically need High school diploma with on-the-job training or 2-3 year apprenticeship through IUPAT (International Union of Painters and Allied Trades); trade school programs available. Valuable certifications include EPA Lead-Safe certification (required for pre-1978 buildings), OSHA 10/30-hour, industrial painting certifications (NACE/SSPC coatings inspector), scaffold certification, confined space certification for tank painting. Most employers also value practical experience gained through internships or entry-level positions.
Employment for Painter professionals is projected to grow 5% from 2022-2032 driven by residential renovation, commercial maintenance, industrial coatings, and lead paint remediation requirements. Paint-spraying robots exist for automotive and manufacturing finishes, but residential, commercial, renovation, and custom painting work requires human adaptability, surface judgment, and access to varied environments The strongest opportunities are in residential repainting, commercial new construction, industrial coatings (bridges, tanks), decorative/faux finishing, drywall finishing, and wallcovering installation.
A Painter typically spends their day preparing surfaces (sanding, scraping, patching, priming), applying paint and coatings using brushes, rollers, and sprayers, matching colors and mixing paints, protecting non-paint surfaces, applying industrial coatings for corrosion protection, removing lead-based paint safely, finishing drywall seams and textures, and estimating material quantities. The work environment involves residential homes, commercial buildings, or industrial facilities (tanks, bridges); indoor and outdoor work; ladder and scaffold work at heights; exposure to fumes and chemicals; flexible scheduling for residential work; seasonal in exterior applications; relatively lower physical demand than other trades.