Painter Salary in Kentucky (2026)
$23.13 per hour · take-home ≈ $39,153/year ($3,263/month) for a single filer
Kentucky ranks 32nd of 51 states for Painter pay, with a median about 8% below the national average. Of the 1,390 Painter jobs BLS counts in Kentucky, the typical worker earns $48,110 a year — though pay ranges from $35,900 for newcomers to $64,720 at the top.
Painter pay range in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $35,900 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $40,210 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $48,110 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $59,740 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $64,720 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,390 Painter jobs in Kentucky (occupation code 47-2141, “Painters, Construction and Maintenance”).
Gross vs. take-home in Kentucky
A median Painter salary of $48,110 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Kentucky state income tax, a single filer keeps about $39,153 — an effective tax rate of 18.6%.
| Gross (median) | $48,110 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,593 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,680 |
| Kentucky state income tax | −$1,684 |
| Take-home (annual) | $39,153 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,263 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Kentucky paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Painter make in Kentucky?
- The median Painter salary in Kentucky is $48,110 per year ($23.13 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $40,210 and $59,740.
- What is the take-home pay for a Painter in Kentucky?
- On the median salary of $48,110, a single filer in Kentucky takes home about $39,153 per year ($3,263 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.6%.
- How many Painter jobs are there in Kentucky?
- BLS counts 1,390 Painter jobs in Kentucky in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Painters
Other salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky.