CareerFacts

All careers › Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers

Decorator: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$41,600median pay per year, or $20.00 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $31,470lowest 10% earn less
  2. $37,03025th percentile
  3. $41,600median
  4. $50,36075th percentile
  5. $60,820top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Painting, coating, and decorating workers earned a median of $41,600 a year in May 2025, below the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. This page uses "decorator" for the BLS category, which covers people who paint, coat or decorate items such as furniture, glass and pottery[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.3%[5]
Openings per year
700[6]
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential[7]

How much do decorators make?

The median wage was $41,600 a year, or $20.00 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $45,210 a year, or $21.73 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $31,470 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $60,820[4]. The lowest-paid 25% earned less than $37,030, and the highest-paid 25% earned more than $50,360[4].

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[4][9] $31,470 $15.13
25th[4][9] $37,030 $17.80
Median[1] $41,600 $20.00
75th[4][9] $50,360 $24.21
90th[4][9] $60,820 $29.24

A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10]. These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

Median pay is published for 37 states[12]. Washington was first at $61,210, followed by Nevada at $60,190[12]. Colorado and Massachusetts were next, tied at $54,070[12]. South Dakota was last of the 37 at $31,550[12].

Florida had the most jobs with 720, then Texas with 550 and Indiana with 490[13]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had the highest median at $72,610[14]. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL had the most jobs at 320, with a median of $36,540[15].

Show median pay in 37 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[12]$61,21090
Nevada$60,190n/a
Colorado$54,070170
Massachusetts$54,070210
New Jersey$52,16090
Connecticut$50,72050
Ohio$49,080230
Missouri$48,560140
New York$48,510460
Wisconsin$48,330230
Maryland$47,32050
Virginia$47,090290
Iowa$46,670100
Georgia$46,31060
Idaho$45,050n/a
South Carolina$43,820140
Minnesota$43,630150
North Carolina$42,960170
Kentucky$42,220200
Illinois$41,960180
Pennsylvania$41,660180
California$41,600n/a
Indiana$41,350490
Arkansas$40,31050
Kansas$39,47090
Michigan$38,500140
Utah$38,43070
Louisiana$38,32050
Florida$37,440720
Wyoming$37,09060
Arizona$37,03050
Oklahoma$36,780100
Tennessee$35,540200
Montana$34,79040
Mississippi$33,33070
Texas$32,430550
South Dakota$31,55040

How to become a decorator

BLS Employment Projections describe the typical path this way:

The training details below come from a BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile that covers a wider group of occupations than this one[16]. That profile says workers usually need a high school diploma or equivalent, though some employers hire people without a formal credential[17]. Training on the job sometimes lasts only a few days but usually lasts several months[18]. Workers who run computer-controlled equipment may need extra training in programming[19].

In an O*NET survey of 18 workers, 59% said the job required less than a high school diploma, 21% said a high school diploma or equivalent, and 17% said some college courses[20]. The facts do not list a license.

What decorators do

O*NET describes the work as putting paint, coatings or decoration on items such as furniture, glass and pottery, as well as jewelry, toys, books and leather[3]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as decorator, painter and glass decorator[22]. The wider OOH profile says some workers make elaborate or decorative designs and that workers must be able to blend paint colors to match a surface[23][24].

Where they work

The OOH profile for the wider group says the work is usually done in specially ventilated areas. Workers wear masks or respirators and may wear gloves and other protective gear[25]. They often stand for long periods and may bend, stoop or crouch[26]. Most are employed full time[27]. Miscellaneous manufacturing was the largest employer at 12%[28].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035[5]. That is from about 8,200 to 8,300 jobs, a gain of about 100[5]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[29]. The projections count includes self-employed workers[5], and 3.7% of these workers were self-employed in 2025[30].

About 700 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.1% of workers leave the labor force and 5.8% move to a different occupation[31]. OEWS counted about 7,940 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[32].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay below the all-occupations median, with a wide spread between the 10th and 90th percentiles[1][2][4]. Entry does not require a formal credential, and training on the job is moderate-term[7]. Projected growth is slower than for all occupations[5][29]. Pay also varies by place, so state and metro figures are worth a look[12].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[33].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a decorator make an hour?
The median for painting, coating, and decorating workers was $20.00 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $21.73[1][8].
What education do you need to be a decorator?
BLS projections list no formal educational credential[7]. The wider OOH profile says a high school diploma or equivalent is usual[17].
How long does it take to learn this job?
The wider OOH profile says on-the-job training sometimes lasts a few days but usually lasts several months[18].
Is decorating work in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 700 openings a year[5][29][6].
What is the highest paying state for decorators?
Washington, at a median of $61,210, is first among the 37 states with published data[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in the US was $41,600 per year and $20.00 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. O*NET description of Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers. O*NET OnLine
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers: 10th percentile $31,470, 25th percentile $37,030, 75th percentile $50,360, 90th percentile $60,820. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers is projected to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 8,200 to 8,300 jobs (a change of +100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 700 openings for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers 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 Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers was $45,210 per year and $21.73 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers: 10th percentile $15.13, 25th percentile $17.80, 75th percentile $24.21, 90th percentile $29.24. 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. Median annual wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers jobs: Florida 720; Texas 550; Indiana 490; New York 460; Virginia 290. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $72,610; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $42,110; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $40,120; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $37,440; Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $37,170; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $36,540; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $33,830; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $32,930. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers jobs: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 320 (median $36,540); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 190 (median $32,930); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 180 (median $33,830); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 180 (median $72,610); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 140 (median $30,710); Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 130 (median $37,440). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Painting and Coating Workers" covers Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. 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: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET 51-9123.00 survey of workers (18 respondents), education level they say is required: Less than a High School Diploma 59%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 21%, Some College Courses 17% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  21. O*NET task list for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers. O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET 51-9123.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Decaler, Decorator, Glass Decorator, Glazer, In Mold Coater, Painter, Pottery Decorator, Silk-Screen Operator. O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of painting and coating workers in 2025: Miscellaneous manufacturing 12%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  30. BLS Employment Projections: 3.7% of Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 7,940 people were employed as Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  33. 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.