How much does a painter make in California?
$59,020a year
Median yearly pay for painters in California. That is $28.38 an hour or $4,918 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.38
- Vs. national median
- +19%
- Rank among states
- 9 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 38,430
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $42,130Median: $59,020Highest 10%: $91,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,130 | $20.25 | |
| 25th | $47,520 | $22.85 | |
| Median | $59,020 | $28.38 | |
| 75th | $73,040 | $35.12 | |
| 90th | $91,000 | $43.75 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Hanford, CA | $63,800 |
| San Francisco, CA | $63,600 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $62,790 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $62,400 |
| Vallejo, CA | $62,370 |
| San Jose, CA | $61,970 |
| Napa, CA | $61,400 |
| Salinas, CA | $60,860 |
| Sacramento, CA | $59,510 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $59,120 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $59,080 |
| Yuba City, CA | $58,890 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $58,540 |
| Merced, CA | $58,220 |
| El Centro, CA | $57,240 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $56,420 |
| San Diego, CA | $55,970 |
| Redding, CA | $54,090 |
| Oxnard, CA | $53,460 |
| Fresno, CA | $52,700 |
| Stockton, CA | $50,290 |
| Modesto, CA | $48,960 |
| Riverside, CA | $48,910 |
| Chico, CA | $47,130 |
| Visalia, CA | $43,810 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for painters.
| 6. District of Columbia | $59,520 |
| 7. Maine | $59,270 |
| 8. New Jersey | $59,250 |
| 9. California | $59,020 |
| 10. Delaware | $58,530 |
| 11. Connecticut | $58,480 |
| 12. Montana | $58,290 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a painter make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $28.38 ($59,020 a year).
Do painters make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $59,020 against $49,400 nationally, 19% more.
Where does California rank for painter pay?
California ranks 9 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays painters the most?
Hanford-Corcoran, CA, with a median of $63,800 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.