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Painter I Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Painter I in the United States is $45,652 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): $53,945
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,758 to $49,993
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,213
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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 I 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): $45,652
  • Painter II (1-3 years): $52,286
  • Painter III (3-5 years): $58,666
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Painter I0-1 years$45,652
Painter II1-3 years$52,286
Painter III3-5 years$58,666
View as Graph

How Do Painter Is 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 Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $50,546.
  • California: $50,354.
  • Massachusetts: $49,683.

Top Paying Cities for Painter I

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: $57,581
  • San Francisco: $56,950
  • Oakland: $55,750

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.
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 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 $52,500
15%
Troubleshooting $51,587
13%
Creativity $50,674
11%
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Painter I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Painter I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $51,018. While startup companies pay approximate $43,156.

Painter I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $43,156
Growth Stage 51~500 $45,642
Established 501~5000 $49,264
Enterprise 5000+ $51,018

Painter I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Painter I 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 positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Painter I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Painter I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$57,065$27.025%
Software & Networking$57,065$27.025%
Energy & Utilities$54,782$26.020%
Pharmaceuticals$54,782$26.020%
Insurance$52,500$25.015%

How Education impacts an Painter I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Painter I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Painter I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $45,296 and $48,340.

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%
View as Graph

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 September 01, 2026
$41,758
Average $45,652/year
$49,993
$3,480
Average $3,804/month
$4,166
$803
Average $878/week
$961
$20
Average $22/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,993 $4,166 $961 $24
Average $45,652 $3,804 $878 $22
25th Percentile $41,758 $3,480 $803 $20

Painter I Salary Growth & Career Path

Painter I

Next Role

Advancement

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 $52,286 - 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)

Common company salaries for Painter I

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

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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 $57,581.

2. What is the highest pay for Painter I?

The highest pay for Painter I is $53,945.

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Painter I?

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

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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