Overview Salaries

Painter Salaries

Updated on Jun 10, 2026
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Salary

How much does a Painter make?

The average salary for a Painter is $46,162 per year in the US.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Painter positions, showing an average salary of $46,162 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Painter positions, showing an average salary of $46,162 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Painter positions, showing an average salary of $46,162 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Painter positions, showing an average salary of $46,162 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Painters often find rewarding work in creating beautiful and lasting designs. This profession has a range of earning potentials. On average, a painter makes about $46,162 per year. This average helps people understand the overall earnings in the field.

Painters can expect to earn between $30,000 and $84,380 per year. Most painters, about 50%, earn between $34,944 and $49,775. This range shows that with experience and skill, painters can earn more. Working in different areas and with different projects can also affect earnings. It is important for job seekers to consider these factors when exploring this career path.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Painter?

Painters in San Francisco enjoy some of the highest salaries nationwide. Painters can expect to earn an average of $85,233 yearly. Los Angeles also offers attractive salaries for painters, with an average of $70,320 per year. Other cities worth considering include Ann Arbor, Seattle, and Washington, DC. Painters in these cities can expect to earn around $61,906, $61,793, and $59,752, respectively. Exploring these cities can provide excellent opportunities for painters seeking better pay.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Painter jobs, highlighting San Francisco, CA with the highest at $85,233 and Riverside, CA with the lowest at $57,758.

  1. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $85,233
    In San Francisco, a city known for its diverse architecture, professionals can find many opportunities. The high demand for commercial and residential projects offers stability. Companies like Clark Construction and Balfour Beatty thrive here.
    Find Painter jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $70,320
    Los Angeles offers vibrant opportunities with its iconic buildings. Job seekers can find work in residential and commercial spaces. Companies like Turner Construction and Clark Construction provide many options.
    Find Painter jobs in Los Angeles, CA


  3. Ann Arbor, MI
    Average Salary: $61,906
    Ann Arbor offers a mix of urban and residential painting jobs. The city’s unique character attracts many projects. Companies such as US Painting and Precision Painting offer good chances.
    Find Painter jobs in Ann Arbor, MI


  4. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $61,793
    Seattle presents a dynamic environment with its focus on modern architecture. Job seekers can find work in both residential and commercial sectors. Firms like Signature Painting and Diversified offer many opportunities.
    Find Painter jobs in Seattle, WA


  5. Washington, DC
    Average Salary: $59,752
    In Washington, DC, professionals can work on historic buildings and government projects. The demand for skilled workers remains high. Companies like ABC Painting and Precision Painting are prominent here.
    Find Painter jobs in Washington, DC


  6. Chicago, IL
    Average Salary: $59,747
    Chicago offers a variety of projects, from historic buildings to modern skyscrapers. The bustling city life means constant work. Companies like ABC Painting and Barton Malow are well-known.
    Find Painter jobs in Chicago, IL


  7. Beaumont, TX
    Average Salary: $59,369
    Beaumont provides a mix of commercial and residential painting jobs. The warm climate means year-round work. Local companies like Precision Painting offer good opportunities.
    Find Painter jobs in Beaumont, TX


  8. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $58,778
    San Jose's tech industry offers many commercial painting projects. The city's growth means steady demand. Companies like Diversified and Precision Painting are active here.
    Find Painter jobs in San Jose, CA


  9. Sacramento, CA
    Average Salary: $58,046
    Sacramento offers a mix of residential and commercial painting jobs. The city’s history provides many unique projects. Companies like Precision Painting and US Painting are prevalent.
    Find Painter jobs in Sacramento, CA


  10. Riverside, CA
    Average Salary: $57,758
    Riverside presents opportunities with its growing residential and commercial sectors. The warm climate allows for year-round work. Companies like Precision Painting offer many job openings.
    Find Painter jobs in Riverside, CA

What are the best companies a Painter can work for?

Painters who seek good pay should consider Boeing, CarMax, and JLL. Boeing tops the list with an average salary of $80,336. CarMax and JLL follow closely, offering $64,556 and $61,237 respectively. These companies value skilled painters, providing competitive wages and benefits. Job seekers will also find Rush Enterprises, Handyman Connection, and International Aerospace Coatings attractive options. Rush Enterprises offers $56,727, while Handyman Connection and International Aerospace Coatings both offer around $56,000. These firms are known for fair compensation and professional growth opportunities.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Painter jobs, highlighting Boeing with the highest at $80,336 and Skilled Trades Partners with the lowest at $54,933.

  1. Boeing
    Average Salary: $80,336
    Boeing offers rewarding Painter jobs with a focus on high-quality work. They operate in many locations, including Seattle, Washington, and Charleston, South Carolina. Their projects often involve large-scale aircraft construction.


  2. CarMax
    Average Salary: $64,556
    CarMax provides solid Painter positions with opportunities in over 100 locations across the United States. They focus on maintaining showrooms and vehicle repair facilities. Painters here work on both interior and exterior projects.


  3. JLL
    Average Salary: $61,237
    JLL offers Painter jobs that include commercial and residential projects. They operate in major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Painters here focus on both decorative and protective painting for buildings.


  4. Hilton
    Average Salary: $61,221
    Hilton Hotels offer Painter jobs with a focus on maintaining and enhancing the guest experience. They operate in cities such as Orlando, Florida, and San Francisco, California. Painters here work on both interior and exterior projects.


  5. Rush Enterprises
    Average Salary: $56,727
    Rush Enterprises provides Painter jobs with a focus on commercial vehicles. They have locations in cities like Denver, Colorado, and Houston, Texas. Painters here work on both new and used vehicle refinishing.


  6. Handyman Connection
    Average Salary: $56,010
    Handyman Connection offers Painter jobs that include residential and commercial projects. They operate in cities like Atlanta, Georgia, and San Diego, California. Painters here often work on painting for both new and existing structures.


  7. International Aerospace Coatings
    Average Salary: $56,000
    International Aerospace Coatings offers Painter jobs focused on aerospace projects. They operate in areas like Seattle, Washington, and Miami, Florida. Painters here work on specialized coating projects for aircraft.


  8. Stp
    Average Salary: $55,833
    Stp offers Painter jobs with a focus on both industrial and commercial painting. They operate in cities like Dallas, Texas, and Portland, Oregon. Painters here work on both new construction and maintenance projects.


  9. Gillmann Services
    Average Salary: $55,667
    Gillmann Services provides Painter jobs with a focus on commercial and industrial painting. They operate in cities like Chicago, Illinois, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Painters here work on both interior and exterior projects.


  10. Skilled Trades Partners
    Average Salary: $54,933
    Skilled Trades Partners offers Painter jobs with a focus on both residential and commercial projects. They operate in cities like Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas. Painters here work on a variety of painting tasks to enhance structures.

How to earn more as a Painter?

Painters can boost their earnings by honing specific skills and approaches. Focusing on specialization can lead to higher demand and rates. For example, mastering decorative painting or commercial wall art can attract clients willing to pay a premium. Also, investing in quality tools and materials enhances efficiency and the final appearance of the work, justifying higher charges.

Networking and word-of-mouth referrals play a crucial role. Building strong relationships with real estate agents, contractors, and interior designers can lead to steady referrals and more job opportunities. Attending trade shows and joining professional associations can also expand a painter’s network. Timely completion of projects and maintaining a clean, professional reputation ensures repeat business and the potential for long-term contracts.

Here are some factors that can help a painter earn more:

  1. Specialization
  2. Quality tools and materials
  3. Networking and referrals
  4. Timely project completion
  5. Professional reputation

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