Quick answer: Painters in Connecticut typically bill $60–$85 per hour (2025). The median painter earns $28.12/hr ($58,480/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — a painting business charges roughly 2–3× that 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 Connecticut compares to other states.
Painter income in Connecticut (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Connecticut's ~2,230 painters, construction, and maintenance:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $19.29 | ~$3,344 | ~$40,123 |
| Median (typical) | $28.12 | ~$4,873 | $58,480 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $44.42 | ~$7,699 | ~$92,394 |
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 Connecticut ranks
Connecticut pays painters 18% above the national median, ranking 11th of 51 states — in the upper tier nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $32.80 |
| Connecticut (11th) | $28.12 |
| National median | $23.75 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $19.28 |
Painter rates by Connecticut metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median painter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | $28.65/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | $28.24/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | $28.14/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| New Haven | $28.12/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Waterbury-Shelton | $26.77/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $24.61/hr | $55–$75/hr |
What common painting jobs cost in Connecticut
At Connecticut billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Connecticut range |
|---|---|
| Single interior room | $350–$1,075 |
| Whole-home interior | $2,400–$7,700 |
| Exterior house painting | $3,500–$10,500 |
| Cabinet refinishing | $1,050–$4,150 |
| Trim & baseboard painting | $350–$1,425 |
| Deck / fence staining | $450–$1,800 |
| Drywall patch & paint | $175–$600 |
| Ceiling painting | $225–$825 |
| Garage floor coating | $700–$2,350 |
| Wallpaper removal | $350–$1,175 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How painters compare to other trades in Connecticut
Here's how painter pay lines up against Connecticut's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $30.80/hr | $70–$90/hr |
| Roofer | $29.84/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Painter | $28.12/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Handyman | $27.70/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Landscaper | $21.99/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 Connecticut?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Connecticut contractor & trade licensing to check whether painters need a state license in Connecticut, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do painters charge per hour in Connecticut?
In 2025, most Connecticut painters bill $60–$85 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $28/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average painter salary in Connecticut?
The median painter in Connecticut earns about $58,480 a year ($28.12/hr). Entry-level painters earn around $40,000 and the most experienced earn $92,000 or more.
Do painters earn more in Connecticut than nationally?
Yes — Connecticut's median painter wage is about 18% above the national median of $23.75/hr, ranking 11th of 51 states.
Which Connecticut city pays painters the most?
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, at a $28.65/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state.
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.