What should painting cost?

An estimate built from what painters are actually paid in your metro (US Bureau of Labor Statistics), how fast a painter covers a wall, and how much paint the job takes. Every assumption is shown and can be changed.

Assumptions
Estimated price$1,110–$1,50217.8 painter-hours × $23/hr × 2.2 = $921 labour, plus 7 gallons of paint = $385. Range is ±15%.

Where the numbers come from

  • Phoenix, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro: median hourly wage for "Painters, Construction and Maintenance" (SOC 47-2141) is $23.49, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (series OEUM003806000000047214108).
  • Scottsdale, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro: median hourly wage for "Painters, Construction and Maintenance" (SOC 47-2141) is $23.49, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (series OEUM003806000000047214108).
  • Mesa, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro: median hourly wage for "Painters, Construction and Maintenance" (SOC 47-2141) is $23.49, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (series OEUM003806000000047214108).
  • Los Angeles, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro: median hourly wage for "Painters, Construction and Maintenance" (SOC 47-2141) is $28.41, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (series OEUM003108000000047214108).
  • San Diego, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro: median hourly wage for "Painters, Construction and Maintenance" (SOC 47-2141) is $26.91, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (series OEUM004174000000047214108).
  • Coverage, speed and markup are starting assumptions, not measurements. Change them to match a quote you have.

Before you hire, check the licence: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Los Angeles, San Diego.