Quick answer: Painters in Kentucky typically bill $50–$70 per hour (2025). The median painter earns $23.13/hr ($48,110/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 Kentucky compares to other states.
Painter income in Kentucky (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Kentucky's ~1,390 painters, construction, and maintenance:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $17.26 | ~$2,992 | ~$35,901 |
| Median (typical) | $23.13 | ~$4,009 | $48,110 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $31.11 | ~$5,392 | ~$64,709 |
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) | ~$23/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $50–$70/hr |
Where Kentucky ranks
Kentucky pays painters 3% below the national median, ranking 32nd of 51 states — in the lower-middle nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $32.80 |
| Kentucky (32nd) | $23.13 |
| National median | $23.75 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $19.28 |
Painter rates by Kentucky metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median painter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $24.62/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $23.52/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Lexington-Fayette | $22.95/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Owensboro | $21.92/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $21.82/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $21.68/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Bowling Green | $19.52/hr | $45–$60/hr |
What common painting jobs cost in Kentucky
At Kentucky billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Kentucky range |
|---|---|
| Single interior room | $300–$875 |
| Whole-home interior | $1,900–$6,300 |
| Exterior house painting | $3,000–$9,000 |
| Cabinet refinishing | $900–$3,400 |
| Trim & baseboard painting | $300–$1,175 |
| Deck / fence staining | $400–$1,450 |
| Drywall patch & paint | $150–$475 |
| Ceiling painting | $200–$675 |
| Garage floor coating | $600–$1,950 |
| Wallpaper removal | $300–$975 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How painters compare to other trades in Kentucky
Here's how painter pay lines up against Kentucky's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $25.33/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Painter | $23.13/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Roofer | $22.57/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Handyman | $22.50/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Landscaper | $17.63/hr | $40–$55/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 Kentucky?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Kentucky contractor & trade licensing to check whether painters need a state license in Kentucky, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do painters charge per hour in Kentucky?
In 2025, most Kentucky painters bill $50–$70 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $23/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average painter salary in Kentucky?
The median painter in Kentucky earns about $48,110 a year ($23.13/hr). Entry-level painters earn around $36,000 and the most experienced earn $65,000 or more.
Do painters earn more in Kentucky than nationally?
Kentucky's median painter wage is about 3% below the national median of $23.75/hr, ranking 32nd of 51 states.
Which Kentucky city pays painters the most?
Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area, at a $24.62/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.