Trades & Labor Owensboro, KY Pop. 60,183

Painter Salary in Owensboro, Kentucky

The median painter salary in Owensboro, KY is $36,654 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 5.7% below the Kentucky state average.

City Median
$36,654
vs State Avg
$-2,235
vs National
$-8,046
Cost of Living
82%

Painter Pay in Owensboro: What to Expect (2026)

Owensboro offers a median painter salary of $36,654, which is $2,235 below the Kentucky state average of $38,889. Compared to the national median of $44,700, Owensboro pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Owensboro's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $36,654 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $44,700 in an average-cost city. This makes Owensboro an attractive option for painters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for painters in Owensboro spans from $24,600 at the 10th percentile to $57,400 at the 90th percentile — a $32,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $25,420, while senior painters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $54,120. Owensboro is a smaller market (pop. 60,183), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Painter Salary in Owensboro by Experience

In Owensboro, an entry-level painter earns around $25,420, while experienced professionals earn up to $54,120 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$25,420
$-5,580 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$36,900
$-8,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$54,120
$-11,880 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Owensboro, KY

Percentile Owensboro
10th Percentile $24,600
25th Percentile $29,520
Median (50th) $36,654
75th Percentile $46,740
90th Percentile $57,400

Painter Salary in Other Kentucky Cities

Lexington, KY
$41,571
Pop. 322,570
Louisville, KY
$41,124
Pop. 633,045
Covington, KY
$39,336
Pop. 40,961
Bowling Green, KY
$37,548
Pop. 74,735

How to Become a Painter in Owensboro

Education

Most painter positions require a high school diploma. Owensboro and the surrounding Kentucky area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Surface PreparationPaint ApplicationColor MatchingSpray EquipmentSafetyBlueprint Reading

Job Outlook

Nationally, painter employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Owensboro may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Painter Jobs in Owensboro

Browse open painter positions in Owensboro, KY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Painter Salary in Owensboro

How much does a Painter make in Owensboro, KY? ▼
The median painter salary in Owensboro, Kentucky is $36,654 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $44,700. Salaries range from $24,600 (10th percentile) to $57,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Painter make per hour in Owensboro? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $36,654, a painter in Owensboro earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Owensboro compare to the Kentucky state average for painter pay? ▼
Owensboro's median painter salary of $36,654 is 5.7% below the Kentucky state average of $38,889. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Owensboro, KY? ▼
Owensboro has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a painter salary of $36,654 in Owensboro has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a painter in Owensboro? ▼
Most painter positions in Owensboro require a high school diploma. Key skills include Surface Preparation, Paint Application, Color Matching, Spray Equipment. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.