How much do painters make?

Working as a painter can be a lucrative career or side hustle. And you’ll be pleased to know that there are no formal qualifications required to become a painter; you only need a high school diploma or GCSE. But if you want or need to work at a building site, note that you’ll need a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme card. 

So, how much do painters make and how do you maximise your income as a painter? This guide covers everything you need to know. 

Average painter salary in the UK 

Painters typically earn £17,000 to £32,000 a year, according to the National Careers Service. On the other hand, painter rates can widely vary, especially for self-employed painters and contractors. Factors like location, expertise, and the type of job can also affect how much a painter can charge. 

Factors that affect painter earnings

While we can talk about painter salaries in broad strokes, many factors determine a painter’s income. 

Consider these factors when estimating your potential earnings and figuring out how to maximise your income. For example, you can upskill in more specialised painting jobs to earn more money as a painter. 

Location

Some states pay more. Densely-populated cities have more homes, offices, and commercial buildings than rural areas. So, you can expect your services to be more in-demand than in a suburb or rural area. Do keep in mind that some prime locations may also come with higher costs of living. 

Complexity 

Painting jobs that require more time and effort pay more. For example, painting the entire side of a multi-story commercial building may require scaffolding. As a result, this painting job may pay more than simply painting the interior walls of a house. Lead times can also affect painter rates; Rush jobs or projects with tight deadlines can cost more. 

Experience 

Relevant work experience and a good reputation matter. When you get more painting jobs, you can hone your skills, establish a good reputation, and eventually charge a higher hourly rate. To get more experience, reach out to professional painters and see if anyone is willing to take you on as an apprentice. 

Type of service 

You can charge more for specialised painting services. Try to learn advanced painting techniques and market your services to homeowners and interior designers. 

Material costs 

Some clients may ask you to provide the paint and other necessary materials. Moreover, certain types and brands of paint may cost more than others. Consider these supply costs when setting your profit margins. Given the relative material costs, you’d want to ensure you’re not charging too low for your services. 

Type of employment 

Self-employed painters can take on as many jobs as possible, thus maximising their income. Meanwhile, employed painters have a fixed salary per month. Weigh the pros and cons of each and choose the setup that suits you best. 

How much do painters get paid?

Here’s an overview of different types of painters and their average rates. 

House painter

On average, a house painter can charge anywhere between £800 and £6,000. Hourly rates vary per city. 

Exterior painter

Exterior painters typically charge £425 for medium-sized houses. Rates can go even higher for bigger houses and additional fixtures to paint. 

Bedroom painter

Bedroom painting rates range from £150 to £500 in the UK.

Furniture painter

Furniture painting jobs cost £30 to £105, although you can charge lower for small and quick painting jobs.

Your rate will depend on the size of the furniture, the number of items, the condition of the furniture, and material costs. Furniture that needs cleaning, sanding, and minor repairs can raise your price, as will your client’s location.  

Commercial painter

Owners of commercial establishments can hire you to paint their offices, stores, or warehouses. Commercial painting labour costs range from £110 to £150 per day.

Start earning money as a painter on Airtasker. 

Painting jobs are lucrative sources of income; The hard part is finding clients or signing up with a contractor who pays well. Finding high-paying painting jobs is easier and faster on Airtasker. Become a Tasker now and start browsing painting jobs in your area.