How much does a painter helper make?
a year · about $19 an hour
A typical painter helper in the United States makes $40,470 a year, about $19 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A painter helper may tape off nearby surfaces, hand the painter tools and materials, fill cracks, or smooth surfaces. Later, they clean tools and the work area; some jobs also involve ladders.
Did you know? O*NET reports that 60% of surveyed painter helpers are outdoors in all kinds of weather every day—not just on sunny days!
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $31,200 and $52,000How do you become one?
In the U.S., you can often start without a diploma, though some employers may ask for a high-school diploma or GED. Apply for an entry-level helper job and learn under an experienced painter’s supervision; training is mostly on the job.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, painter helpers with stronger skills, better performance, and more time on the job may earn more. Pay also differs by employer and location, and outdoor work can mean hours change with the weather.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Ohio ($53,340), lowest in Mississippi ($23,470).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $31,200 | $40,470 | $52,000 | about 7,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $53,340 | about 40 |
| New York | $52,000 | — |
| Hawaii | $51,540 | about 130 |
| California | $46,220 | about 2,000 |
| Montana | $44,720 | about 50 |
Official definition: Help painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons are classified under “Construction Laborers” (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/47-3014.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-3014.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- seasonaljobs.dol.gov/jobs/H-400-24002-604106
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes473014.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY