SOC 51-9123 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers — Kentucky
Kentucky · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in Kentucky is $42,220 per year, close to the national median of $41,600 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in Kentucky is $42,220 per year, close to the national median of $41,600 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $34,640 at the tenth percentile to more than $60,050 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,650 to $57,780.
The area has 200 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.1 of every thousand jobs. Kentucky ranks number 19th out of 37 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Louisville/Jefferson County records the highest median at $37,170. Of the 699 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 542nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,640 | −16.7% |
| 25th | $36,650 | −11.9% |
| Median (50th) | $42,220 | +1.5% |
| 75th | $57,780 | +38.9% |
| 90th | $60,050 | +44.4% |
| Mean | $45,600 | +9.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $37,170 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $42,220 goes as far as $46,807 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$42,220as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,807US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,220 a year, 1.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,640 to $60,050 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 200 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 19th of 37 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Louisville/Jefferson County, at $37,170.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in Kentucky?
The median annual wage is $42,220, or $20.30 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $41,600, so pay in Kentucky is 1.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Kentucky earns more than $60,050 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,640 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Louisville/Jefferson County, at $37,170 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 200 jobs in this occupation in Kentucky. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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