Trades & Labor Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Painter Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median painter salary in Great Falls, MT is $40,230 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 7.2% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$40,230
vs State Avg
$-3,129
vs National
$-4,470
Cost of Living
88%

Painter Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median painter salary of $40,230, which is $3,129 below the Montana state average of $43,359. Compared to the national median of $44,700, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $40,230 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $45,716 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for painters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for painters in Great Falls spans from $27,000 at the 10th percentile to $63,000 at the 90th percentile — a $36,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,900, while senior painters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $59,400. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Painter Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level painter earns around $27,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $59,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,900
$-3,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$40,500
$-4,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$59,400
$-6,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $27,000
25th Percentile $32,400
Median (50th) $40,230
75th Percentile $51,300
90th Percentile $63,000

Painter Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$52,299
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$46,488
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$43,806
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$42,912
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Painter in Great Falls

Education

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

Find Painter Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open painter positions in Great Falls, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Painter Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Painter make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median painter salary in Great Falls, Montana is $40,230 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $44,700. Salaries range from $27,000 (10th percentile) to $63,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Painter make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $40,230, a painter in Great Falls earns approximately $19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for painter pay? ▼
Great Falls's median painter salary of $40,230 is 7.2% below the Montana state average of $43,359. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a painter salary of $40,230 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a painter in Great Falls? ▼
Most painter positions in Great Falls 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.