Painter Salary in California
Apply paint, stain, and protective coatings to the interiors and exteriors of homes, businesses, and industrial structures.
California Painter Wages at a Glance
California painters earn a statewide median of $59,020 per year ($28.38 per hour), up 15.8% from May 2020, with the middle of the wage range running from $42,130 at the 10th percentile to $91,000 at the 90th.
California employs approximately 38,430 painters statewide, up 3.4% from May 2020.
Median Wages by Metro
| Metro | Annual median | Hourly | Employment | 5-yr wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $63,600 | $30.58/hr | 5,310 | down 0.4% |
| Santa Rosa | $62,790 | $30.19/hr | 730 | up 16.4% |
| San Jose | $61,970 | $29.79/hr | 2,410 | up 25.3% |
| Salinas | $60,860 | $29.26/hr | 520 | down 0.5% |
| Sacramento | $59,510 | $28.61/hr | 2,410 | up 25.9% |
| Los Angeles | $59,080 | $28.41/hr | 12,100 | up 10.3% |
| Bakersfield | $58,540 | $28.15/hr | 520 | up 8.2% |
| Santa Maria | $56,420 | $27.12/hr | 870 | up 30.3% |
| San Diego | $55,970 | $26.91/hr | 4,040 | up 26.7% |
| Oxnard | $53,460 | $25.70/hr | 950 | up 26.9% |
| Fresno | $52,700 | $25.34/hr | 680 | up 40.2% |
| Stockton | $50,290 | $24.18/hr | 590 | up 20.9% |
| Modesto | $48,960 | $23.54/hr | 480 | up 14.1% |
| Riverside | $48,910 | $23.51/hr | 3,750 | up 24.5% |
| Visalia | $43,810 | $21.06/hr | 250 | up 8.8% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2020 and May 2025.