How much should I pay a painter per day?

How much you should pay a painter per day in United States in 2025 to 2026 depends on whether painter is individual, crew, location, and whether materials included, but typical day rates are as follows. For independent house painter working solo, day rate is 200 to 500 dollars per day for labor only, often 250 to 400 dollars for 8 hour day, which equals 25 to 50 dollars per hour. For experienced professional or specialist like faux finisher or cabinet painter, day rate can be 400 to 700 dollars per day. For painting contractor crew of 2 to 3 painters, day rate for crew is 600 to 1500 dollars per day labor, which breaks down to 200 to 500 per painter per day. In high cost areas like California, New York, Seattle, day rates are 20 to 40 percent higher, so solo painter may charge 350 to 600 per day. If materials included, add 50 to 200 dollars per day depending on job. For artistic painter or muralist, day rate can be 300 to 1000 dollars. So fair pay for good house painter is about 300 to 500 dollars per day per painter labor only, or 400 to 600 with basic materials for small jobs. Always clarify what day rate includes, hours, prep, cleanup, and whether it is per painter or per crew, and get written scope.