Painters and Paperhangers

Painters who work on exterior painting tend to be busier in the warmer and drier months, causing a painter, like many craftsmen, to have seasonally fluctuating income. In May 2023, the median annual salary of painters in construction and maintenance was $47,700, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,570 annually, and the top 10 percent earned $76,030 or more annually.

The DOL reports that paperhangers earned a median annual salary of $48,460 annually in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,400 a year, and the top 10 percent earned $79,390 or more. Wages also vary depending on the geographic location of the job.

Benefits for painters and paperhangers depend on the employer; however, they usually include such items as health insurance, retirement or 401(k) plans, and paid vacation days.