Trades & Labor Grand Island, NE Pop. 53,131

Painter Salary in Grand Island, Nebraska

The median painter salary in Grand Island, NE is $37,548 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 6.7% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$37,548
vs State Avg
$-2,682
vs National
$-7,152
Cost of Living
84%

Painter Pay in Grand Island: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Island offers a median painter salary of $37,548, which is $2,682 below the Nebraska state average of $40,230. Compared to the national median of $44,700, Grand Island pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Island's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $37,548 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $44,700 in an average-cost city. This makes Grand Island an attractive option for painters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for painters in Grand Island spans from $25,200 at the 10th percentile to $58,800 at the 90th percentile — a $33,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $26,040, while senior painters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $55,440. Grand Island is a smaller market (pop. 53,131), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Painter Salary in Grand Island by Experience

In Grand Island, an entry-level painter earns around $26,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $55,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$26,040
$-4,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$37,800
$-7,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$55,440
$-10,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Grand Island, NE

Percentile Grand Island
10th Percentile $25,200
25th Percentile $30,240
Median (50th) $37,548
75th Percentile $47,880
90th Percentile $58,800

Painter Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$41,571
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$41,124
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$40,230
Pop. 291,082
Kearney, NE
$38,442
Pop. 33,464

How to Become a Painter in Grand Island

Education

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

Find Painter Jobs in Grand Island

Browse open painter positions in Grand Island, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Painter Salary in Grand Island

How much does a Painter make in Grand Island, NE? ▼
The median painter salary in Grand Island, Nebraska is $37,548 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $44,700. Salaries range from $25,200 (10th percentile) to $58,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Painter make per hour in Grand Island? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $37,548, a painter in Grand Island earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Island compare to the Nebraska state average for painter pay? ▼
Grand Island's median painter salary of $37,548 is 6.7% below the Nebraska state average of $40,230. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Island, NE? ▼
Grand Island has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a painter salary of $37,548 in Grand Island has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a painter in Grand Island? ▼
Most painter positions in Grand Island 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.