Painter Salary · Updated May 2026

Painter salary in North Carolina

The median painter salary in North Carolina is $44,110 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 11% below the national median of $49,400. Most painters in North Carolina earn between $33,410 and $58,300, and the state ranks #46 of 51 for painter pay.

Median

$44,110

Entry (10th)

$33,410

Top (90th)

$58,300

State rank

#46/51

Annual wages, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

North Carolina vs. the national average

PercentileNorth CarolinaNational
10th percentile (entry)$33,410$37,440
Median (50th)$44,110$49,400
90th percentile (top)$58,300$78,810

For context, the highest-paying state for painters is Hawaii ($68,220 median) and the lowest is Arkansas ($40,090).

Licensing & taxes for painters

Any painter disturbing paint in a home built before 1978 must hold the federal EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair and Painting) lead-safe certification. Many states also require a contractor license once a job exceeds a cost threshold, though several have no painting-specific license at all.

Whether you charge sales tax on your labor depends on the state and the type of job. Several states tax services by default, and many distinguish a real-property improvement (often not taxed to the customer) from a repair of tangible property (often taxed). This isn't tax advice — confirm with your state revenue department.

For the full state-by-state licensing, reciprocity, and sales-tax breakdown, see the painter salary & licensing guide.

Painter pay in North Carolina: FAQ

How much does a painter make in North Carolina?
The median painter salary in North Carolina is $44,110 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 11% below the national median of $49,400. Most painters in the state earn between $33,410 and $58,300.
What is the starting salary for painters in North Carolina?
Entry-level painters in North Carolina — the bottom 10% — earn around $33,410 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top painters earn in North Carolina?
The highest-paid 10% of painters in North Carolina make about $58,300 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does North Carolina pay painters well?
North Carolina ranks #46 of 51 states and D.C. for painter pay, making it one of the lower-paying states for the trade. Its median of $44,110 is 11% below the U.S. median of $49,400.

Other trades in North Carolina

Electrician salary in North Carolina $56,800 Plumber salary in North Carolina $57,080 HVAC Technician salary in North Carolina $57,260 Carpenter salary in North Carolina $49,100 Roofer salary in North Carolina $49,010

Compare painters pay in every state

Hawaii $68,220 Illinois $61,260 Alaska $60,980 Washington $59,650 New York $59,570 District of Columbia $59,520 Maine $59,270 New Jersey $59,250 California $59,020 Delaware $58,530 Connecticut $58,480 Montana $58,290 Massachusetts $57,510 Missouri $57,510 Minnesota $57,270 Nevada $56,390 North Dakota $54,870 Vermont $53,120 Colorado $52,970 Pennsylvania $52,120 Michigan $50,650 Indiana $50,260 Wisconsin $50,090 Iowa $49,710 New Hampshire $49,670 Ohio $49,450 Maryland $49,120 Oregon $48,900 Georgia $48,340 Arizona $48,250 South Dakota $48,160 Kentucky $48,110 Florida $47,530 Virginia $47,470 Nebraska $47,280 Wyoming $47,220 Louisiana $46,410 New Mexico $46,240 Utah $46,050 Kansas $45,510 Texas $45,460 Oklahoma $44,900 Idaho $44,880 Mississippi $44,800 West Virginia $44,230 Alabama $43,930 Tennessee $43,230 Rhode Island $41,590 South Carolina $40,840 Arkansas $40,090

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS OEWS, May 2025, via the BLS public API (SOC 47-2141). Wages are annual and vary by experience, licensing, certification, and local demand. See all painters by state or trade salaries by state.