How much profit should a painter make?

Author: Isaias Skiles  |  Last update: Friday, January 30, 2026

Revenue varies based on the types of projects and how many employees you have. The gross profit margin for painting businesses is around 50%. This means smart management leads to higher profits in the painting industry.

What is a good profit margin for painting?

The hosts dive into the real-world implications, indicating that a 40% gross profit margin is the industry benchmark for painting businesses.

How much profit should I make on a paint job?

Now, if you're not painting in the field at all, you should earn 30% cash flow to owner, with 20% of it going to overhead. Remember, we got 50% gross profits. 30% should go in your pocket and 20% should go to overhead.

Is being a painter profitable?

Painters made a median salary of $40280 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $53290 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $33120. As with many construction jobs, those who successfully complete apprenticeships best position themselves for successful painting careers.

Can painters make 100k?

Take notes on how long it takes to paint different substrates and start your own production rates. A working owner and a painter or two should be able to do around $400,000 – $600,000 worth of work annually and generate an income of $100,000 or more.

How much should a Painter and Decorator charge per day?

How much profit do painters make?

The gross profit margin for painting businesses is around 50%. This means smart management leads to higher profits in the painting industry.

What do most painters charge hourly?

Professional painters typically charge between $20 to $50 per hour for general interior painting. If you're looking for specialty painting like murals, costs can go as high as $70 or more per hour. Painting costs vary depending on the painter's productivity as well as their location and type of paint job.

What do painters charge per day?

Day rates for a painter and decorator in the UK range from £150 to £400 a day. Not including the cost of paint and materials, daily rates are typically between £100 and £250.

Why do painters charge so much?

Labor Costs: The biggest chunk of your estimate usually goes to labor. This includes the time the painters spend prepping, painting, and cleaning up afterward. Materials: Paint, primer, brushes, rollers, and other supplies all add up. If your painter is using premium paints, this cost can skyrocket.

How to charge as a painter?

To decide the total price you should charge for painting jobs:
  1. Make your cost estimate (material + labor + overhead costs)
  2. Choose your desired profit margin.
  3. Calculate your markup.
  4. Cost estimate + markup = total price for the job.

What painters make the most money?

High Paying Painting Jobs
  • Painting Supervisor. Salary range: $57,500-$77,000 per year. ...
  • Lead Painter. Salary range: $46,000-$55,000 per year. ...
  • Commercial Painter. Salary range: $39,500-$50,500 per year. ...
  • Painter. Salary range: $36,500-$50,000 per year. ...
  • Interior Painter. ...
  • House Painter. ...
  • Paint Technician. ...
  • Facilities Painter.

How do painters estimate a job?

Some contractors use a rough base rate of $1.50 or $2.00 per square foot, some multiply 4 to 6 times the paint cost, some estimate the time the job will take and add it to an estimate of materials—and some may simply offer the lowest price to outbid the competition.

Is a 50% profit margin too much?

A gross profit margin of over 50% is healthy for most businesses. In some industries and business models, a gross margin of up to 90% can be achieved. Gross margins of less than 30% can be dangerous for businesses with high gross costs.

How much money to start a painting business?

Startup costs for a painting business range from $2,000 to $35,000, depending on how you do it. If you already own transport, your costs will be on the lower end of that range. If you need transport, you can assume that most of your startup costs will be spent there.

What is a respectable profit margin?

Net profit margins vary by industry but according to the Corporate Finance Institute, 20% is considered good, 10% average or standard, and 5% is considered low or poor. Good profit margins allow companies to cover their costs and generate a return on their investment.

How do you bid on a painting job?

Bidding on a paint job begins with inspecting the site to measure the walls and find any damage or other problem areas. Use the square footage to find the amount of paint and other materials you'll need. Estimate the labor costs of the job and add your overhead and profit margin to the final estimate.

How do painters charge for labor?

What do most painters charge per hour? you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $50 per hour for a professional paint job. The more experienced and skilled your painter, the higher their hourly rate will be–and there's no denying that more complex projects take longer to complete.

Should I tip a self-employed painter?

If you are especially delighted with the paint job, you may feel that a tip is the best way to show your appreciation. But it's not required to tip even if you're thrilled with the work.

Do painters quotes include paint?

If you find a painter that charges a labor rate by the hour or day, then the paint is not typically included. On the other hand, the standard flat-rate painter's quote includes all the paint needed to complete the job. To be sure, get a flat-rate quote before the job starts.

What is the profit margin for a painter?

Understanding the Average Earning Percentage

According to National benchmark data, a painting business owner takes home about 15% to 18% of their business's revenue on average.

Where do painters make the most money?

Highest paying cities for Painters near United States
  • Orlando, FL. $22.17 per hour. 150 salaries reported.
  • Tampa, FL. $22.01 per hour.
  • Cleveland, OH. $21.33 per hour. 166 salaries reported.
  • Tulsa, OK. $21.18 per hour. 135 salaries reported.
  • Dallas, TX. $21.11 per hour.
  • Show more nearby cities.

Does being a painter pay well?

Painters made a median salary of $47,700 in 2023. The best-paid 25% made $59,480 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $38,970.

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