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Painter, Entry Salary in the United States

How much does a Painter, Entry make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Painter, Entry in the United States is $45,673 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a Painter, Entry's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $53,964
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,773 to $50,013
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,222
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Painter, Entry Salaries

A Painter, Entry's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Painter, Entry Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Painter, Entries. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $50,563.
  • California: $50,373.
  • Massachusetts: $49,703.

Top Paying Cities for Painter, Entries

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $57,603
  • San Francisco: $56,973
  • Oakland: $55,773

What Skills Can Increase a Painter, Entry's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 3.73% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • Carpentry (Mentioned in 1.32% Job Postings): Carpentry is a skilled trade and a craft in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, ships, timber bridges, concrete formwork, etc. Carpenters traditionally worked with natural wood and did the rougher work such as framing, but today many other materials are also used and sometimes the finer trades of cabinetmaking and furniture building are considered carpentry. In the United States, 98.5% of carpenters are male, and it was the fourth most male-dominated occupation in the country in 1999. In 2006 in the United States, there were about 1.5 million carpentry positions. Carpenters are usually the first tradesmen on a job and the last to leave. Carpenters normally framed post-and-beam buildings until the end of the 19th century; now this old fashioned carpentry is called timber framing. Carpenters learn this trade by being employed through an apprenticeship training—normally 4 years—and qualify by successfully completing that country's competence test in places such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa. It is also common that the skill can be learned by gaining work experience other than a formal training program, which may be the case in many places.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 0.83% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 3.73%
Carpentry 1.32%
Installation 0.83%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Painter, Entry's salary.

  • Plumbing: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Creativity: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Plumbing $52,524
15%
Troubleshooting $51,610
13%
Creativity $50,697
11%
Get Latest Data

Painter, Entry Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Painter, Entry salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $51,041. While startup companies pay approximate $43,176.

Painter, Entry Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $43,176
Growth Stage 51~500 $45,663
Established 501~5000 $49,287
Enterprise 5000+ $51,041

Painter, Entry Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Painter, Entry roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 68% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Painter, Entry positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Painter, Entry as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Painter, Entry

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$57,091$27.025%
Software & Networking$57,091$27.025%
Energy & Utilities$54,808$26.020%
Pharmaceuticals$54,808$26.020%
Insurance$52,524$25.015%

How Education impacts a Painter, Entry's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Painter, Entries enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Painter, Entry with a No Diploma is between $41,233 and $44,443).

Painter, Entry Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Painter, Entry
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.8%
High School 67.6%
Associates 2.9%
Bachelors 17.6%
Masters 2.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Painter, Entry Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Painter, Entry's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$41,773
Average $45,673/year
$50,013
$3,481
Average $3,806/month
$4,168
$803
Average $878/week
$962
$20
Average $22/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $50,013 $4,168 $962 $24
Average $45,673 $3,806 $878 $22
25th Percentile $41,773 $3,481 $803 $20

Painter, Entry Salary Growth & Career Path

Painter, Entry

Next Role

Advancement

For a Painter, Entry, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Brush Painter II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $52,300 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Painter, Entry

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Painter, Entry

Here are companies hiring for Painter, Entry and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Painter, Entry

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Painter, Entry?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Painter, Entry roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much is a painter paid in the USA?

As of January 2025, the salary for an Entry Painter in the USA ranges from $42,603 to $53,703 annually, with a median salary of $48,163. This translates to an average hourly pay of approximately $20.00 to $25.00, reflecting the varying levels of experience and location across the country.

3. What is the highest paid painter?

The highest paid painters, like Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst, earn millions, but for entry-level painters, salaries range from $42,603 to $53,703. The average salary is approximately $48,163, reflecting the significant difference between top artists and those starting in the field.

4. Can painters make 100k?

Painters typically earn between $42,603 and $53,703 annually, with a mid-salary of $48,163. While it's challenging for entry-level painters to reach $100,000, experienced painters or those who own their business can potentially generate higher incomes by managing multiple projects effectively.

5. Is painter a stressful job?

Being a painter can indeed be stressful. Managing a painting and decorating business involves various challenges, such as project delays, customer issues, and financial pressures. Additionally, the workload can be demanding. However, with an entry-level salary ranging from $42,603 to $53,703, the financial rewards can be significant, which may help offset some of the stress.

6. What is a painter's salary?

A painter's salary typically ranges from $42,603 to $53,703, with a median salary of $48,163. While state averages vary, for example, painters in California earn around $46,279, those in Texas and Florida earn approximately $35,740 and $35,415, respectively. This highlights the differences in pay across different regions.

7. How to become a painter with no experience?

To become a painter with no experience, you don't need formal education, but technical schools offer certificates, and apprenticeship programs are available. Most painters learn on the job, mastering skills like surface preparation, coating application, wall covering installation, and color matching. Entry-level painters can expect a salary ranging from $42,603 to $53,703, with a mid-salary of $48,163.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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