How much does a helpers--painter make?
The median helpers--painter in the United States earns $40,470 per year, about $19.46 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all helpers--painters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-3014.
Helpers--painter salary range
Pay for helpers--painters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,200 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $52,000. The average (mean) wage of $42,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,830 | $17.71 | |
| Median (50th) | $40,470 | $19.46 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,090 | $23.60 | |
| 90th percentile | $52,000 | $25.00 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons (SOC 47-3014), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Helpers--painter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Helpers--painters earn the most in Ohio at $53,340 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $23,470. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $53,340 | 40 |
| New York | $52,000 | N/A |
| Hawaii | $51,540 | 130 |
| California | $46,220 | 1,990 |
| Montana | $44,720 | 50 |
| Utah | $44,500 | N/A |
| Virginia | $43,160 | N/A |
| Connecticut | $43,070 | N/A |
| Colorado | $42,470 | N/A |
| Oregon | $40,180 | 240 |
| Washington | $39,360 | 160 |
| Maryland | $39,080 | 90 |
| Idaho | $38,760 | 230 |
| Nevada | $38,330 | 80 |
| Louisiana | $37,340 | 250 |
| Texas | $37,040 | 1,220 |
| Indiana | $36,550 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $36,130 | 40 |
| Florida | $36,010 | 310 |
| North Carolina | $35,980 | 260 |
| New Mexico | $35,860 | 50 |
| Georgia | $35,430 | N/A |
| Arizona | $32,000 | 110 |
| Michigan | $30,300 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $23,470 | 60 |
State median wages for helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons (SOC 47-3014), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for helpers--painters
The BLS projects employment of helpers--painters to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 7,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 7,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 700 openings a year for helpers--painters. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a helpers--painter
The typical entry-level education for helpers--painters is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a helpers--painter earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Ohio, $53,340) and the lowest (Mississippi, $23,470) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 7,490 people work as helpers--painters in the United States. At $40,470 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Helpers--painter salary FAQ
How much does a helpers--painter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a helpers--painter is $19.46. The middle half of helpers--painters earn between $17.71 and $23.60 per hour.
What is the highest helpers--painter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of helpers--painters earn more than $52,000 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a helpers--painter make a year?
The median annual salary for a helpers--painter is $40,470. The average (mean) wage of $42,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a helpers--painter a well paid job?
At $40,470 a year, a helpers--painter earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 7,490 people work as helpers--painters in the United States.
Which state pays helpers--painters the most?
Ohio has the highest median salary for helpers--painters at $53,340 a year. New York ($52,000) and Hawaii ($51,540) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a helpers--painter a good career?
Employment of helpers--painters is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a helpers--painter?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for helpers--painters as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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