Quick answer: The median painter in California earns $28.38/hr — about $59,020 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $91,000+. To hire one, a painting business typically bills $60–$85 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what painters earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how California compares to other states.
Painter income in California (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for California's ~38,430 painters, construction, and maintenance:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $20.26 | ~$3,512 | ~$42,141 |
| Median (typical) | $28.38 | ~$4,918 | $59,020 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $43.75 | ~$7,583 | ~$91,000 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a painter takes home. What a painting business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median painter wage (earned) | ~$28/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $60–$85/hr |
Where California ranks
California pays painters 19% above the national median, ranking 9th of 51 states — among the highest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $32.80 |
| California (9th) | $28.38 |
| National median | $23.75 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $19.28 |
Painter rates by California metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median painter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $30.58/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $29.79/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $28.61/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $28.41/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $27.12/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $26.91/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $25.70/hr | $55–$75/hr |
What common painting jobs cost in California
At California billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical California range |
|---|---|
| Single interior room | $350–$1,075 |
| Whole-home interior | $2,400–$7,800 |
| Exterior house painting | $3,500–$11,000 |
| Cabinet refinishing | $1,100–$4,200 |
| Trim & baseboard painting | $350–$1,425 |
| Deck / fence staining | $500–$1,800 |
| Drywall patch & paint | $175–$600 |
| Ceiling painting | $250–$825 |
| Garage floor coating | $700–$2,400 |
| Wallpaper removal | $350–$1,200 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How painters compare to other trades in California
Here's how painter pay lines up against California's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $36.50/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| Roofer | $30.58/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Painter | $28.38/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Handyman | $27.41/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Landscaper | $21.90/hr | $50–$65/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free painter estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do painters need a license in California?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See California contractor & trade licensing to check whether painters need a state license in California, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do painters make in California?
The median painter in California earns about $59,020 a year ($28.38/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level painters earn around $42,000 and the most experienced earn $91,000 or more.
Can a painter make $100,000 a year in California?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of painters in California earn about $91,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own painting business and billing $60–$85/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do painters charge per hour in California?
In 2025, most California painters bill $60–$85 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $28/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do painters earn more in California than nationally?
Yes — California's median painter wage is about 19% above the national median of $23.75/hr, ranking 9th of 51 states.
Which California city pays painters the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, at a $30.58/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for painters.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.