Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers Make?
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers earn a median annual salary of $40,860 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $28,490 at the 10th percentile to $62,770 at the 90th percentile — a range of $34,280. The highest-paying state is New York at $68,140.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,490 |
| 25th percentile | $34,540 |
| Median (50th) | $40,860 |
| 75th percentile | $50,700 |
| 90th percentile | $62,770 |
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Yorktop | $68,140 |
| Washington | $61,270 |
| Massachusetts | $52,320 |
| Illinois | $51,270 |
| New Jersey | $50,700 |
| Georgia | $48,940 |
| Kentucky | $47,630 |
| Virginia | $46,190 |
| Maryland | $45,910 |
| New Hampshire | $45,410 |
| Iowa | $45,390 |
| Nebraska | $45,350 |
| Kansas | $45,160 |
| Missouri | $45,120 |
| North Carolina | $45,080 |
| Indiana | $44,730 |
| California | $44,420 |
| Ohio | $44,380 |
| Colorado | $44,090 |
| South Carolina | $43,920 |
| Alabama | $42,620 |
| Utah | $42,020 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,600 |
| Wisconsin | $39,950 |
| Minnesota | $38,650 |
| Arkansas | $38,560 |
| Oklahoma | $38,300 |
| Michigan | $37,550 |
| Louisiana | $37,140 |
| South Dakota | $36,810 |
| Connecticut | $36,200 |
| Arizona | $35,790 |
| Florida | $35,710 |
| Mississippi | $35,710 |
| Tennessee | $35,620 |
| Texas | $28,570 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$28,490 – $34,540 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$40,860 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$50,700 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $62,770+ |
How to Earn More as a Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ earn $78,620 — $37,760 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($50,700) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workerthis career | $40,860 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,660 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operator | $45,190 |
| Patternmaker | $54,540 |
| Foundry Mold and Coremaker | $45,700 |
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PathScorer compares your skills to Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 51-9123.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.