How much do painters make in Louisiana in 2026?

The median painter salary in Louisiana is $46,410 per year, which works out to $22.31 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the midpoint — half of painters in the state earn more, half earn less. Entry-level and early-career painters at the 25th percentile bring in $38,970 annually ($18.74/hr), while experienced painters at the 75th percentile reach $50,460 a year ($24.26/hr). All figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025.

The gap between the bottom and top of these ranges tells you something real about how this trade works. Going from $38,970 to $50,460 is roughly a $11,490 annual jump — nearly $5.50 more per hour. That difference is mostly a function of years on the job, the types of surfaces and coatings you're certified or experienced to handle, and whether you're working residential, commercial, or industrial projects. Industrial painters who apply protective coatings on refineries, chemical plants, or bridges typically command higher wages than residential brush-and-roll workers, because the work is more hazardous and requires knowledge of specialized coating systems and surface preparation standards.

Louisiana's Gulf Coast industrial corridor — running through Baton Rouge, Geismar, and Lake Charles — creates steady demand for painters with industrial and protective coatings experience. Refineries and petrochemical facilities require ongoing maintenance painting, and that work doesn't slow down much seasonally. In contrast, residential and commercial painters in the New Orleans metro or Shreveport area may see more seasonal swings tied to construction activity, though Louisiana's mild winters mean the off-season is shorter than in northern states.

Overtime is a meaningful income lever for painters here. If you're working 50-hour weeks during a busy stretch — say, a commercial buildout or post-storm restoration push — those extra 10 hours per week at 1.5x your base rate can add several thousand dollars to your annual take-home. A painter earning the median $22.31/hr who logs 10 hours of overtime weekly for 20 weeks picks up roughly $6,690 in additional gross pay. That kind of earnings potential doesn't show up in the BLS annual figure, which captures base wages.

Specialty skills move the needle on pay. Painters who know how to apply epoxy coatings, elastomeric systems, lead-safe renovation techniques (EPA RRP certification), or industrial blast-and-coat methods can price their labor above the 75th percentile. Louisiana also has a significant market for decorative and faux finish work in historic districts like the French Quarter, where skilled artisans can negotiate premium rates.

Licensing in Louisiana requires painters doing contractor work above certain dollar thresholds to hold a state contractor's license through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Working as a journeyman employee doesn't require a personal license, but understanding the licensing landscape matters if you're planning to run your own crew or start a business.

Some painters in Louisiana may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement — check with your local for current rates.

These BLS figures reflect wages reported by employers and do not include self-employed painters, cash-in-hand work, or benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, or paid time off. If your employer provides those, your total compensation is meaningfully higher than the dollar figures above suggest. Keep that in mind when comparing offers.