2026 Pricing Guide

Painting Estimate Calculator & Pricing Guide

Real pricing data to help you bid painting jobs accurately. Includes labor rates, production speeds, and material costs for 2026.

2026 Painting Prices at a Glance

🏠 Interior Painting (per sq ft)

Scope Budget Mid-Range Premium
Walls only $1.50 $2.50 $4.00
Walls + ceiling $2.75 $4.00 $6.00
Full room* $4.00 $5.50 $8.00
*Full room includes walls, ceiling, trim, and doors

🏡 Exterior Painting (per sq ft)

Surface Budget Mid-Range Premium
Siding $2.00 $3.50 $5.50
Trim (per LF) $1.00 $2.00 $3.50
Deck/fence $2.50 $4.00 $6.00
Prices vary by region, surface condition, and paint quality

Production Rates for Estimating Labor

Use these rates to calculate how many hours a job will take.

Walls (roller)
200-300 sq ft/hour
Ceilings
150-200 sq ft/hour
Trim/baseboards
50-75 linear ft/hour
Doors
2-3 doors/hour
Prep work
100-150 sq ft/hour
Cabinet doors
1-2 hours per door
💡
Pro tip: These are average rates for experienced painters. Adjust down 20-30% for apprentices or complex surfaces (textured walls, detailed trim). Add 50% more time for dark-to-light color changes.

2026 Painter Hourly Rates

What to pay (or charge) based on experience level.

Apprentice / Helper

$15-$25/hr

Basic prep, rolling, and cleanup. Needs supervision.

Journeyman Painter

$25-$50/hr

Full skill set. Can work independently on most jobs.

Master / Lead Painter

$40-$75/hr

Specialty finishes, crew management, client-facing.

How to Estimate a Painting Job

1

Measure paintable surfaces

Calculate square footage of walls (height × width for each wall), ceilings, and linear feet of trim. Subtract windows and doors.

Wall sq ft = (Room perimeter × Ceiling height) - Windows - Doors
2

Estimate labor hours

Divide square footage by production rate, then add prep time (usually 20-40% of paint time).

Labor hours = (Sq ft ÷ 250) + Prep hours + Touch-up/cleanup
3

Calculate materials

1 gallon covers ~350-400 sq ft (one coat). Budget for 2 coats on walls, plus primer if needed.

Gallons needed = (Sq ft × 2 coats) ÷ 350
4

Add markup

Most painters use 20-35% markup on labor + materials. This covers insurance, vehicle, tools, and profit.

Total = (Labor + Materials) × 1.25 to 1.35

Quick Reference: Common Job Prices

Single room (12×12)
$350 - $850
Walls, ceiling, trim
3-bed home interior
$3,500 - $8,000
~1,500 sq ft, all rooms
Kitchen cabinets
$1,500 - $4,000
Average kitchen, 20-30 doors
Exterior (2-story)
$4,000 - $12,000
Siding, trim, prep
Front door
$150 - $400
Both sides, prep included
Deck staining
$500 - $2,000
300-500 sq ft deck

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do painters charge per square foot?
Interior painting costs $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot for walls only, or $4.00 to $8.00 per square foot for full room painting (walls, ceiling, trim, and doors). Exterior painting ranges from $2.00 to $5.50 per square foot for siding. Prices vary by region, surface condition, and paint quality.
What markup should painters charge?
Most painting contractors use a markup of 20% to 35% on top of labor and materials. This covers overhead costs like insurance, vehicle expenses, tools, marketing, and profit. For high-end work or complex projects (cabinet refinishing, specialty finishes), markups can reach 40-50%.
How long does it take to paint a room?
A standard 12×12 room takes 4-8 hours for one experienced painter (walls, ceiling, trim, 2 coats). This includes prep, painting, and cleanup. Larger rooms, extensive prep work, or detailed trim can double this time. Most painters can complete 1-2 rooms per day.
How much paint do I need per room?
One gallon covers approximately 350-400 square feet per coat. A typical 12×12 room with 8-foot ceilings has about 400 sq ft of wall space, requiring 2 gallons for two coats. Add a gallon for the ceiling and primer if doing a significant color change.