Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$46,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $40,470
State Rank
#4 of 25
1,990 employed here

How much do Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons make in California?

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in California take home a median of $46,220 annually — roughly $22.22 an hour — which runs 14% above the national median of $40,470.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,940 while the top 10% make $59,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,500 and $51,940 a year.

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,940$18.24
25th percentile (early career)$38,500$18.51
50th percentile (median)$46,220$22.22
75th percentile (experienced)$51,940$24.97
90th percentile (top earners)$59,730$28.72

How California compares

California ranks 4th out of 25 states and territories for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Ohio$53,340
2New York$52,000
3Hawaii$51,540
4California$46,220
5Montana$44,720

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary in other states

Ohio $53,340New York $52,000Hawaii $51,540Montana $44,720Utah $44,500Virginia $43,160Connecticut $43,070Colorado $42,470Oregon $40,180Washington $39,360Maryland $39,080Idaho $38,760Nevada $38,330Louisiana $37,340Texas $37,040Indiana $36,550Tennessee $36,130Florida $36,010North Carolina $35,980New Mexico $35,860Georgia $35,430Arizona $32,000Michigan $30,300Mississippi $23,470

Working as Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in California

Nationally, about 7,000 people work as Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($46,220) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons make in California?
The median Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary in California is $46,220 per year, or about $22.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,940 at the entry level to $59,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons about 14% more than the national median of $40,470. California ranks 4th out of 25 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,220 a year. About 1,990 Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.