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Painter I Salary in the United States

How much does a Painter I make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Painter I in the United States is $45,656 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $53,947
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,760 to $49,996
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,213
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View as table View as graph 25% $41,760 10% $38,213 90% $53,947 75% $49,996 $45,656 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Painter I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $49,996 $4,166 $961 $24
Average $45,656 $3,805 $878 $22
25th Percentile $41,760 $3,480 $803 $20
Check out Painter I Job Openings in the United States
Collision Repair Painter

Sherwin Williams - GRAND RAPIDS, MI

Collision Repair Painter

Sherwin Williams - CINCINNATI, OH

Collision Repair Painter

Sherwin Williams - DAYTON, OH

PAINTER WORKER

Department of the Navy - SAN DIEGO, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Painter I Salaries

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

How Experience Level Affects Painter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Painter I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Painter I (0-1 years): $45,656
  • Painter II (1-3 years): $52,278
  • Painter III (3-5 years): $58,610
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Painter I0-1 years$45,656
Painter II1-3 years$52,278
Painter III3-5 years$58,610
$45,656 Painter I...
$52,278 Painter I...
$58,610 Painter I...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Painter Is

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: $57,586
  • San Francisco: $57,020
  • Oakland: $55,755

What Skills Can Increase a Painter I'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 3.73%
Carpentry 1.32%
Installation 0.83%
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 I'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
$52,504
15%
Troubleshooting
$51,591
13%
Creativity
$50,678
11%
Preventive Maintenance
$49,308
8%
Confidentiality
$49,308
8%
Scheduling
$48,852
7%
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How Education impacts a Painter I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Painter Is 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 I with a No Diploma is between $42,251 and $45,708).

Painter I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Painter I
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%
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Painter I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Painter I'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 January 01, 2026

Painter I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Painter I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Painter II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $52,278 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Painter I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Painter I

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

Find Your Next Painter I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Painter I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Painter I

1. Where can a Painter I earn the most?

A Painter I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Painter I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Painter I is $57,586.

2. What is the highest pay for Painter I?

The highest pay for Painter I is $53,947.

3. What is the lowest pay for Painter I?

The lowest pay for Painter I is $38,213.

4. What are the responsibilities of Painter I?

Applies paint, varnishes, stains and other coatings to interior and/or exterior surfaces with brush, roller or other tools. Prepares surfaces for painting by removing old paint using paint removers, scrapers, wire brushes, or blowtorches. Fills nail holes, cracks, and joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers using a caulking gun or a putty knife. Prepares paint and primers and matches colors. May prepare estimates of work time and cost. May have to complete an apprenticeship and/or formal training in area of specialty. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor/manager. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

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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