Salary AI Book a Demo

Painter III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Painter III in the United States is $58,666 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,013
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,776 to $64,082
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,324
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Painter III Salaries

A Painter III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Painter III'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 III 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $64,955.
  • California: $64,709.
  • Massachusetts: $63,846.

Top Paying Cities for Painter IIIs

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: $73,995
  • San Francisco: $73,185
  • Oakland: $71,643

What Skills Can Increase a Painter III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 3.85% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 1.08% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 0.92% 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 3.85%
Housekeeping 1.08%
Installation 0.92%
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 III's salary.

  • Customer Focus: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Plumbing: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Focus $73,919
26%
Plumbing $65,706
12%
Communication Skills $63,359
8%
Get Latest Data

Painter III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Painter III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $65,562. While startup companies pay approximate $55,459.

Painter III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $55,459
Growth Stage 51~500 $58,653
Established 501~5000 $63,308
Enterprise 5000+ $65,562

Painter III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Painter III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities 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 III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Painter III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$73,332$35.025%
Energy & Utilities$70,399$34.020%
Internet$70,399$34.020%
Financial Services$64,533$31.010%
Insurance$64,533$31.010%

How Education impacts a Painter III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Painter III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $58,716 and $63,925.

Painter III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Painter III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.8%
High School 73.3%
Associates 10.5%
Bachelors 7.0%
Masters 3.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Painter III'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
$53,776
Average $58,666/year
$64,082
$4,481
Average $4,889/month
$5,340
$1,034
Average $1,128/week
$1,232
$26
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,082 $5,340 $1,232 $31
Average $58,666 $4,889 $1,128 $28
25th Percentile $53,776 $4,481 $1,034 $26

Most common benefits for Painter III

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

Common company salaries for Painter III

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

Find Your Next Painter III Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Painter III

1. Where can a Painter III earn the most?

A Painter III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Painter III is $73,995.

2. What is the highest pay for Painter III?

The highest pay for Painter III is $69,013.

3. What is the lowest pay for Painter III?

The lowest pay for Painter III is $49,324.

4. What are the responsibilities of Painter III?

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 independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Painter III 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job