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Painter II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Painter II in the United States is $52,286 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $58,873
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $46,101 to $55,734
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,470
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Painter II Salaries

A Painter II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Painter II'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 II 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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $57,891.
  • California: $57,671.
  • Massachusetts: $56,903.

Top Paying Cities for Painter IIs

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: $65,948
  • San Francisco: $65,226
  • Oakland: $63,852

What Skills Can Increase a Painter II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 3.64% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • Surface Preparation (Mentioned in 1.32% Job Postings): Treating the surface of a substance prior to application to increase its adhesion to coatings.
  • Material Handling (Mentioned in 0.76% Job Postings): Material handling involves short-distance movement within the confines of a building or between a building and a transportation vehicle. It uses a wide range of manual, semi-automated, and automated equipment and includes consideration of the protection, storage, and control of materials throughout their manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, consumption, and disposal. Material handling can be used to create time and place utility through the handling, storage, and control of material, as distinct from manufacturing, which creates form utility by changing the shape, form, and makeup of material.
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 3.64%
Surface Preparation 1.32%
Material Handling 0.76%
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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 II's salary.

  • Confidentiality: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Confidentiality $55,946
7%
Leadership $54,900
5%
Collaboration $54,377
4%
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Painter II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Painter II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $58,432. While startup companies pay approximate $49,427.

Painter II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $49,427
Growth Stage 51~500 $52,274
Established 501~5000 $56,423
Enterprise 5000+ $58,432

Painter II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Painter II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Painter positions in MFG Nondurable or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Painter II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Painter II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$62,743$30.020%
Financial Services$60,129$29.015%
Telecom$60,129$29.015%
Biotechnology$57,515$28.010%
MFG Durable$57,515$28.010%

How Education impacts a Painter II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Painter II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $52,638 and $56,849.

Painter II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Painter II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.7%
High School 57.1%
Associates 17.9%
Bachelors 14.3%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Painter II'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
$46,101
Average $52,286/year
$55,734
$3,842
Average $4,357/month
$4,645
$887
Average $1,006/week
$1,072
$22
Average $25/hour
$27
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $55,734 $4,645 $1,072 $27
Average $52,286 $4,357 $1,006 $25
25th Percentile $46,101 $3,842 $887 $22

Painter II Salary Growth & Career Path

Painter II

Next Role

For a Painter II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Painter III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $58,666 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Painter II

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

Common company salaries for Painter II

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

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FAQ about Painter II

1. Where can a Painter II earn the most?

A Painter II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Painter II is $65,948.

2. What is the highest pay for Painter II?

The highest pay for Painter II is $58,873.

3. What is the lowest pay for Painter II?

The lowest pay for Painter II is $40,470.

4. What are the responsibilities of Painter II?

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 equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

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

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Painter II roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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