Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$42,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $41,600
State Rank
#18 of 37
170 employed here

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

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in North Carolina take home a median of $42,960 annually — roughly $20.65 an hour — which runs 3% above the national median of $41,600.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $36,100 while the top 10% make $59,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,580 and $55,290 a year.

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,100$17.36
25th percentile (early career)$37,580$18.07
50th percentile (median)$42,960$20.65
75th percentile (experienced)$55,290$26.58
90th percentile (top earners)$59,910$28.80

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 18th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($42,960) 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 North Carolina?
The median Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary in North Carolina is $42,960 per year, or about $20.65 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,100 at the entry level to $59,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers about 3% more than the national median of $41,600. North Carolina ranks 18th out of 37 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,960 a year. About 170 Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary report

Related salaries

Etchers and Engravers

$43,310
median pay · 8,000 employed

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

$54,430
median pay · 17,000 employed

Helpers--Production Workers

$39,070
median pay · 166,000 employed
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.