How Much Does a Painter Charge Per Hour in the USA? (2026)
US painters charge $35-$100/hr for standard residential work – but most price by the project or square foot rather than hourly. Here’s the full breakdown for 2026.
Painter Rates by Service Type (2026)
| Service | Typical rate |
|---|---|
| Interior walls (per SF) | $2.00-$4.50/SF |
| Interior full room incl. ceiling/trim | $3.00-$7.00/SF |
| Exterior house painting (per SF) | $1.50-$4.00/SF |
| Cabinet painting (per door/drawer) | $45-$85/door |
| Deck/fence staining (per SF) | $1.00-$2.50/SF |
| Epoxy floor coating (per SF) | $3.00-$7.00/SF |
| Commercial painting (per SF) | $0.75-$2.50/SF |
Hourly Equivalent
A painter working at efficient production speed:
– Interior walls: 150-250 SF/hr (brush+roll)
– At $3.50/SF average = $525-$875/hr crew throughput
Most self-employed painters bill equivalent to $55-$90/hr when backed out of project pricing.
Regional Rates
| Market | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| NYC, SF, Boston | +50-80% |
| LA, Seattle, Chicago | +25-40% |
| Dallas, Phoenix | National average |
| Rural Southeast, Midwest | −15-25% |
FAQs
Why do painters typically price per SF rather than per hour?
Per-SF pricing rewards efficiency – experienced painters work faster and earn more per hour without asking customers to pay for any inefficiency. It also gives customers a clear, comparable price.
How much should a self-employed painter make per year in the USA?
A sole-operator residential painter billing 200 days/year at $600-$900/day earns $120,000-$180,000 gross. After materials, insurance, and overhead, net income typically runs $70,000-$120,000.
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