Salaries › Painter › California
Painter Salary in California (2026)
$28.38 per hour · take-home ≈ $47,859/year ($3,988/month) for a single filer
California ranks 9th of 51 states for Painter pay, with a median about 12% above the national average. Of the 38,430 Painter jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $59,020 a year — though pay ranges from $42,130 for newcomers to $91,000 at the top.
Painter pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $42,130 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $47,520 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $59,020 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $73,040 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $91,000 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 38,430 Painter jobs in California (occupation code 47-2141, “Painters, Construction and Maintenance”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Painter salary of $59,020 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $47,859 — an effective tax rate of 18.9%.
| Gross (median) | $59,020 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,902 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,515 |
| California state income tax | −$1,744 |
| Take-home (annual) | $47,859 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,988 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Painter make in California?
- The median Painter salary in California is $59,020 per year ($28.38 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $47,520 and $73,040.
- What is the take-home pay for a Painter in California?
- On the median salary of $59,020, a single filer in California takes home about $47,859 per year ($3,988 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.9%.
- How many Painter jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 38,430 Painter jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Painters
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.