Trades & Labor Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Painter Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median painter salary in Lafayette, LA is $41,571 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$41,571
vs State Avg
$-1,341
vs National
$-3,129
Cost of Living
88%

Painter Pay in Lafayette: What to Expect (2026)

Lafayette offers a median painter salary of $41,571, which is $1,341 below the Louisiana state average of $42,912. Compared to the national median of $44,700, Lafayette pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Lafayette's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $41,571 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $47,240 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for painters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for painters in Lafayette spans from $27,900 at the 10th percentile to $65,100 at the 90th percentile — a $37,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,830, while senior painters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $61,380. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Painter Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level painter earns around $28,830, while experienced professionals earn up to $61,380 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,830
$-2,170 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$41,850
$-3,150 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$61,380
$-4,620 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $27,900
25th Percentile $33,480
Median (50th) $41,571
75th Percentile $53,010
90th Percentile $65,100

Painter Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$46,041
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$43,359
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$40,677
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$40,230
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Painter in Lafayette

Education

Most painter positions require a high school diploma. Lafayette and the surrounding Louisiana 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 Lafayette may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Painter Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open painter positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Painter Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Painter make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median painter salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $41,571 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $44,700. Salaries range from $27,900 (10th percentile) to $65,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Painter make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $41,571, a painter in Lafayette earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for painter pay? ▼
Lafayette's median painter salary of $41,571 is 3.1% below the Louisiana state average of $42,912. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lafayette, LA? ▼
Lafayette has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a painter salary of $41,571 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a painter in Lafayette? ▼
Most painter positions in Lafayette 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.