Trades & Labor Reading, PA Pop. 95,112

Painter Salary in Reading, Pennsylvania

The median painter salary in Reading, PA is $39,336 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$39,336
vs State Avg
$-3,576
vs National
$-5,364
Cost of Living
88%

Painter Pay in Reading: What to Expect (2026)

Reading offers a median painter salary of $39,336, which is $3,576 below the Pennsylvania state average of $42,912. Compared to the national median of $44,700, Reading pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Reading's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $39,336 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $44,700 in an average-cost city. This makes Reading an attractive option for painters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for painters in Reading spans from $26,400 at the 10th percentile to $61,600 at the 90th percentile — a $35,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,280, while senior painters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $58,080. Reading is a smaller market (pop. 95,112), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Painter Salary in Reading by Experience

In Reading, an entry-level painter earns around $27,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $58,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,280
$-3,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$39,600
$-5,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$58,080
$-7,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Reading, PA

Percentile Reading
10th Percentile $26,400
25th Percentile $31,680
Median (50th) $39,336
75th Percentile $50,160
90th Percentile $61,600

Painter Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$45,594
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$42,018
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$41,571
Pop. 302,971
Erie, PA
$37,548
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Painter in Reading

Education

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

Find Painter Jobs in Reading

Browse open painter positions in Reading, PA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Painter Salary in Reading

How much does a Painter make in Reading, PA? ▼
The median painter salary in Reading, Pennsylvania is $39,336 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $44,700. Salaries range from $26,400 (10th percentile) to $61,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Painter make per hour in Reading? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $39,336, a painter in Reading earns approximately $19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Reading compare to the Pennsylvania state average for painter pay? ▼
Reading's median painter salary of $39,336 is 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average of $42,912. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Reading, PA? ▼
Reading has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a painter salary of $39,336 in Reading has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a painter in Reading? ▼
Most painter positions in Reading 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.