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Painter helper: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$40,470median pay per year, or $19.46 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $31,200lowest 10% earn less
  2. $36,83025th percentile
  3. $40,470median
  4. $49,09075th percentile
  5. $52,000top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A painter helper falls under the BLS category Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons, which had a median pay of $40,470 a year[1]. Jobs are projected to rise 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.5%[2]
Openings per year
700[6]
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential[7]

How much do painter helpers make?

The median pay was $40,470 a year, or $19.46 an hour[1]. Half of the workers made more than that and half made less[1]. The average was $42,440 a year, or $20.40 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[5].

Point in the range Annual Hourly
Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[4][9] $31,200 $15.00
Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[4][9] $36,830 $17.71
Median[1] $40,470 $19.46
Highest-paid 25% earned more than[4][9] $49,090 $23.60
Highest-paid 10% earned more than[4][9] $52,000 $25.00

BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10]. The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11]. About 7,490 people held these jobs in May 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Ohio had the highest published median, at $53,340 a year, but it rests on only 40 jobs[13]. New York followed at $52,000, then Hawaii at $51,540[13]. Mississippi had the lowest published median, at $23,470[13]. BLS published figures for 25 states[13].

California had the most jobs, with 1,990[14]. Texas had 1,220 and Florida had 310[14].

Among metro areas, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest median at $50,440[15]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA followed at $47,260, then Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA at $46,780[15]. Los Angeles also had the most jobs of any metro area, at 550[16].

Show median pay in 25 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Ohio[13]$53,34040
New York$52,000n/a
Hawaii$51,540130
California$46,2201,990
Montana$44,72050
Utah$44,500n/a
Virginia$43,160n/a
Connecticut$43,070n/a
Colorado$42,470n/a
Oregon$40,180240
Washington$39,360160
Maryland$39,08090
Idaho$38,760230
Nevada$38,33080
Louisiana$37,340250
Texas$37,0401,220
Indiana$36,550n/a
Tennessee$36,13040
Florida$36,010310
North Carolina$35,980260
New Mexico$35,86050
Georgia$35,430n/a
Arizona$32,000110
Michigan$30,300n/a
Mississippi$23,47060

How to become a painter helper

BLS lists no formal educational credential, no related work experience and short-term on-the-job training for this occupation[7].

These details come from a BLS profile of construction laborers and helpers that covers a wider group than painter helpers[21]. Some workers in that group take apprenticeships that combine job training with classroom instruction[22].

In an O*NET survey of 31 workers, 68% said the job called for less than a high school education and 26% said a high school diploma or the equivalent[23]. A survey this small is only a rough guide.

What painter helpers do

O*NET says helpers do less skilled tasks to assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers or stucco masons. They use, supply or hold materials and tools, and they clean the work area[24]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report titles such as painter helper, painter assistant and plaster tender[26].

Where they work

The BLS profile for the wider group says construction laborers and helpers are frequently outside, whatever the weather. Some work at great heights or in tight spaces, and travel to jobsites may be required[27]. In that wider group, specialty trade contractors were the largest employer at 32%[28].

Construction laborers in the wider group have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Following safety rules and wearing protective gear such as hardhats and steel-toed shoes lowers the risk[29].

Most helpers in the group work full time, and schedules vary. Some work only in certain seasons, since cold weather can limit building in northern areas[30]. Few helpers are self-employed[31]. For painter helpers, the share was 1.7% in 2025[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of painter helpers to rise 1.5% between 2025 and 2035, a gain of about 100 jobs, from about 7,600 to 7,700[2]. The projection for all occupations is 3.5%[3]. Those counts include self-employed workers[2].

About 700 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.1% of workers leave the workforce entirely and 6.1% switch to a different occupation[33].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a job with a low barrier to entry. It needs no formal credential or related experience, and training is short[7]. The median of $40,470 is below the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][5]. Growth is slower than the all-occupations rate[2][3]. The occupation is small, so openings number only about 700 a year[6]. The work is often outdoors and construction laborers in the wider group have one of the highest injury rates[27][29].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[34].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a painter helper make an hour?
The median was $19.46 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $15.00 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $25.00[9].
What education do you need to be a painter helper?
BLS lists no formal educational credential[7]. Some employers may prefer a high school diploma or the equivalent[17].
How long does it take to become a painter helper?
BLS lists short-term on-the-job training and no related work experience[7].
Are painter helper jobs in demand?
Employment is projected to rise 1.5% between 2025 and 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. About 700 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for painter helpers?
Ohio had the highest published median, at $53,340, followed by New York at $52,000 and Hawaii at $51,540[13]. Ohio's figure rests on 40 jobs[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in the US was $40,470 per year and $19.46 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 7,600 to 7,700 jobs (a change of +100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons: 10th percentile $31,200, 25th percentile $36,830, 75th percentile $49,090, 90th percentile $52,000. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 700 openings for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons was $42,440 per year and $20.40 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons: 10th percentile $15.00, 25th percentile $17.71, 75th percentile $23.60, 90th percentile $25.00. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 7,490 people were employed as Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons jobs: California 1,990; Texas 1,220; Florida 310; North Carolina 260; Louisiana 250. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $50,440; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $47,260; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $46,780; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $42,210; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $40,420; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $40,370; Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $37,920; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $36,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 550 (median $47,260); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 470 (median $36,960); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 350 (median $46,780); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 300 (median $50,440); San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 260 (median $42,210); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 230 (median $40,420). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Construction Laborers and Helpers" covers Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 47-3014.00 survey of workers (31 respondents), education level they say is required: Less than a High School Diploma 68%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 26% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET 47-3014.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Helper, Painter Assistant, Painter Helper, Plaster Helper, Plaster Tender. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of construction laborers and helpers in 2025: Specialty trade contractors 32%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: 1.7% of Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.