Quick answer: Painters in North Carolina typically bill $45–$65 per hour (2025). The median painter earns $21.21/hr ($44,110/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 North Carolina compares to other states.
Painter income in North Carolina (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for North Carolina's ~5,220 painters, construction, and maintenance:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $16.06 | ~$2,784 | ~$33,405 |
| Median (typical) | $21.21 | ~$3,676 | $44,110 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $28.03 | ~$4,859 | ~$58,302 |
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) | ~$21/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $45–$65/hr |
Where North Carolina ranks
North Carolina pays painters 11% below the national median, ranking 46th of 51 states — among the lowest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $32.80 |
| North Carolina (46th) | $21.21 |
| National median | $23.75 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $19.28 |
Painter rates by North Carolina metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median painter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $22.37/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Raleigh-Cary | $21.81/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $21.59/hr | $45–$65/hr |
| Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $21.24/hr | $45–$65/hr |
| Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $20.90/hr | $45–$65/hr |
| Wilmington | $20.60/hr | $45–$60/hr |
| Greensboro-High Point | $20.13/hr | $45–$60/hr |
What common painting jobs cost in North Carolina
At North Carolina billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical North Carolina range |
|---|---|
| Single interior room | $275–$800 |
| Whole-home interior | $1,800–$5,800 |
| Exterior house painting | $2,500–$8,000 |
| Cabinet refinishing | $800–$3,150 |
| Trim & baseboard painting | $275–$1,075 |
| Deck / fence staining | $350–$1,350 |
| Drywall patch & paint | $125–$450 |
| Ceiling painting | $175–$625 |
| Garage floor coating | $550–$1,800 |
| Wallpaper removal | $275–$900 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How painters compare to other trades in North Carolina
Here's how painter pay lines up against North Carolina's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $23.61/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Roofer | $23.56/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Handyman | $23.03/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Painter | $21.21/hr | $45–$65/hr |
| Landscaper | $18.22/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 North Carolina?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See North Carolina contractor & trade licensing to check whether painters need a state license in North Carolina, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do painters charge per hour in North Carolina?
In 2025, most North Carolina painters bill $45–$65 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $21/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average painter salary in North Carolina?
The median painter in North Carolina earns about $44,110 a year ($21.21/hr). Entry-level painters earn around $33,000 and the most experienced earn $58,000 or more.
Do painters earn more in North Carolina than nationally?
North Carolina's median painter wage is about 11% below the national median of $23.75/hr, ranking 46th of 51 states.
Which North Carolina city pays painters the most?
Durham-Chapel Hill, at a $22.37/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.