Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary in California
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in California earn a median of $41,600 a year ($20.00 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $38,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,090 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $41,600. California ranks 22nd of 37 states for painting, coating, and decorating workers pay. The average (mean) salary is $45,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for painting, coating, and decorating workers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 75th percentile | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,090 | $27.45 |
| Average (mean) | $45,290 | $21.78 |
Half of painting, coating, and decorating workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,466.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,733.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,600 |
| Weekly | $800 |
| Hourly | $20.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $49,750 | 60 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $48,470 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $47,310 | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $41,680 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $41,600 | n/a |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $40,120 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for painting, coating, and decorating workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $61,210 |
| Nevada | $60,190 |
| Colorado | $54,070 |
| Massachusetts | $54,070 |
| New Jersey | $52,160 |
| Connecticut | $50,720 |
| Ohio | $49,080 |
| Missouri | $48,560 |
| New York | $48,510 |
| Wisconsin | $48,330 |
See Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $47,410 | $22.80 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9123. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a painting, coating, and decorating workers make in California?
The median salary for painting, coating, and decorating workers in California is $41,600 a year, or $20.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid painting, coating, and decorating workers make in California?
The top 10% of painting, coating, and decorating workers in California earn at least $57,090 a year. The top 25% earn $43,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for painting, coating, and decorating workers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,270 a year, and a quarter of painting, coating, and decorating workers earn $41,600 or less.