Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$42,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $41,600
State Rank
#19 of 37
200 employed here

How much do Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers make in Kentucky?

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $42,220 per year, or about $20.30 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $41,600 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $34,640 while the top 10% make $60,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,650 and $57,780 a year.

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,640$16.65
25th percentile (early career)$36,650$17.62
50th percentile (median)$42,220$20.30
75th percentile (experienced)$57,780$27.78
90th percentile (top earners)$60,050$28.87

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 19th out of 37 states and territories for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$61,210
2Nevada$60,190
3Colorado$54,070
4Massachusetts$54,070
5New Jersey$52,160

Working as Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in Kentucky

Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($42,220) 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 Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers make in Kentucky?
The median Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary in Kentucky is $42,220 per year, or about $20.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,640 at the entry level to $60,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers about 1% more than the national median of $41,600. Kentucky ranks 19th out of 37 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,220 a year. About 200 Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers are employed in Kentucky. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers 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.