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 2018, the median annual salary of painters in construction and maintenance was $38,940, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,970 annually, and the top 10 percent earned $64,790 or more annually.

The DOL reports that paperhangers earned a median annual salary of $38,090 annually in May 2018. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,700 a year, and the top 10 percent earned $58,570 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.