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What Should I Charge for Painting? (2026 BLS Data)

Painting rates by state from BLS data. See what to charge in your market.

No signup No tracking Last updated March 2026

The short answer: $50.36–$78.69 per hour nationally. That's based on a BLS median labor cost of $22.89/hr with a 2.75x industry markup covering overhead, insurance, and profit. Your actual rate depends on where you work. California pros charge up to $114.09/hr. Louisiana is closer to $44.82/hr.

National Avg. Customer Rate

$62.95/hr

2.75x markup on labor

Typical Range

$50.36–$78.69

per hour, all states

BLS Base Wage

$22.89/hr

OEWS 2023, code 47-2141

How the rate breaks down

BLS median hourly wage $22.89
Industry markup (2.75x) × 2.75
Customer rate (national avg.) $62.95/hr
Typical range (±20–25%) $50.36 – $78.69

The 2.75x markup covers overhead you won't see on a paycheck: liability insurance, vehicle costs, equipment wear, marketing, and your actual profit margin. Interior painting runs $2–$6/sq ft; exterior is $1.50–$4/sq ft. Material costs (paint, primer, tape) typically add 15–25% on top of labor.

Painting Rates by State

Sorted by customer rate, highest to lowest. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.

State Labor Rate Customer Rate Range vs. National
California $33.19/hr $91.27/hr $73.02–$114.09 +45%
New York $32.50/hr $89.38/hr $71.50–$111.73 +42%
District of Columbia $32.50/hr $89.38/hr $71.50–$111.73 +42%
Alaska $30.21/hr $83.08/hr $66.46–$103.85 +32%
Washington $30.21/hr $83.08/hr $66.46–$103.85 +32%
Massachusetts $29.30/hr $80.58/hr $64.46–$100.73 +28%
Hawaii $29.30/hr $80.58/hr $64.46–$100.73 +28%
New Jersey $29.30/hr $80.58/hr $64.46–$100.73 +28%
Connecticut $28.38/hr $78.05/hr $62.44–$97.56 +24%
Oregon $27.47/hr $75.54/hr $60.43–$94.43 +20%
Colorado $27.01/hr $74.28/hr $59.42–$92.85 +18%
Maryland $27.01/hr $74.28/hr $59.42–$92.85 +18%
Illinois $26.09/hr $71.75/hr $57.40–$89.69 +14%
Delaware $25.64/hr $70.51/hr $56.41–$88.14 +12%
Virginia $25.64/hr $70.51/hr $56.41–$88.14 +12%
Rhode Island $25.64/hr $70.51/hr $56.41–$88.14 +12%
Minnesota $25.64/hr $70.51/hr $56.41–$88.14 +12%
New Hampshire $25.18/hr $69.25/hr $55.40–$86.56 +10%
Vermont $24.72/hr $67.98/hr $54.38–$84.98 +8%
Nevada $24.49/hr $67.35/hr $53.88–$84.19 +7%
Utah $24.26/hr $66.72/hr $53.38–$83.40 +6%
Arizona $24.26/hr $66.72/hr $53.38–$83.40 +6%
Texas $24.03/hr $66.08/hr $52.86–$82.60 +5%
Pennsylvania $24.03/hr $66.08/hr $52.86–$82.60 +5%
Michigan $23.58/hr $64.85/hr $51.88–$81.06 +3%
North Dakota $23.35/hr $64.21/hr $51.37–$80.26 +2%
Georgia $23.35/hr $64.21/hr $51.37–$80.26 +2%
Wisconsin $23.35/hr $64.21/hr $51.37–$80.26 +2%
Wyoming $23.35/hr $64.21/hr $51.37–$80.26 +2%
Maine $22.89/hr $62.95/hr $50.36–$78.69 avg
Florida $22.89/hr $62.95/hr $50.36–$78.69 avg
North Carolina $22.89/hr $62.95/hr $50.36–$78.69 avg
Ohio $22.66/hr $62.32/hr $49.86–$77.90 -1%
Nebraska $22.43/hr $61.68/hr $49.34–$77.10 -2%
Indiana $22.20/hr $61.05/hr $48.84–$76.31 -3%
Missouri $22.20/hr $61.05/hr $48.84–$76.31 -3%
Iowa $22.20/hr $61.05/hr $48.84–$76.31 -3%
Kansas $22.20/hr $61.05/hr $48.84–$76.31 -3%
South Dakota $21.97/hr $60.42/hr $48.34–$75.53 -4%
Idaho $21.75/hr $59.81/hr $47.85–$74.76 -5%
Montana $21.52/hr $59.18/hr $47.34–$73.98 -6%
South Carolina $21.52/hr $59.18/hr $47.34–$73.98 -6%
Tennessee $21.29/hr $58.55/hr $46.84–$73.19 -7%
Oklahoma $20.83/hr $57.28/hr $45.82–$71.60 -9%
New Mexico $20.83/hr $57.28/hr $45.82–$71.60 -9%
Kentucky $20.60/hr $56.65/hr $45.32–$70.81 -10%
Louisiana $20.37/hr $56.02/hr $44.82–$70.03 -11%
Arkansas $20.14/hr $55.39/hr $44.31–$69.24 -12%
West Virginia $19.91/hr $54.75/hr $43.80–$68.44 -13%
Alabama $19.91/hr $54.75/hr $43.80–$68.44 -13%
Mississippi $19.46/hr $53.52/hr $42.82–$66.90 -15%

About this data

Labor rates come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, occupation code 47-2141 (Painters, Construction and Maintenance). State-level adjustments use BLS regional wage differentials. The 2.75x markup is the industry standard for interior and exterior painting, covering insurance, equipment, overhead, and margin.

These are reference ranges, not quotes. Your rate should also factor in your experience, local competition, job complexity, and whether you're pricing hourly vs. flat-rate. Interior painting runs $2–$6/sq ft; exterior is $1.50–$4/sq ft. Material costs (paint, primer, tape) typically add 15–25% on top of labor.

Pricing guides for other services

Cleaning

$28–$44/hr

Landscaping

$35–$55/hr

Plumbing

$72–$113/hr

Electrical

$71–$111/hr

Roofing

$62–$97/hr

HVAC

$74–$116/hr

Pest Control

$60–$93/hr

Lawn Care

$33–$51/hr

Pressure Washing

$30–$47/hr
Estimates only. These results are based on publicly available data and standard formulas. Actual costs may vary based on your specific circumstances. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice on your situation.

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