Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers Salary in California
The median pay for a painting, coating, and decorating workers in California is $44,420/year ($21.36/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $80K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $44K get you in California?
About painting, coating, and decorating workers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level painting, coating, and decorating workers (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $44K. Top earners bring in $80K or more, a $44K spread from bottom to top.
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary by metro in California
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $51K | +14% | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $51K | +14% | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $47K | +5% | 430 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $42K | -5% | N/A |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $41K | -9% | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $38K | -14% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track painting, coating, and decorating workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do painting, coating, and decorating workers make in California?
The median is $44,420 a year, that works out to about $21 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,830, and experienced painting, coating, and decorating workers can clear $79,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $44K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,064/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 80.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a painting, coating, and decorating workers salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median painting, coating, and decorating workers salary is worth about $41,850 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do painting, coating, and decorating workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.