What painters should charge in New York.
Fair billed labor here runs about $47–$95/hour, about 20% above the median US state. Every number below comes from what construction and maintenance painters actually earn in New York; the math is on this page, in the open.
How much should painters charge in New York?
In New York, construction and maintenance painters earn $23.47–$38.14 per hour (median $28.64, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), about 20% above the median US state for this trade. A legitimate business bills 2–2.5× wages to cover payroll taxes, insurance, equipment, overhead and profit, so fair billed labor in New York runs about $47–$95 per hour. For example, paint one bedroom (walls only) is about $190–$775 in fair labor, before materials.
Fair price by job
Paint one bedroom (walls only)
That assumes a 10×12 room, two coats, light prep; ceilings, trim and heavy patching add hours.
Plus materials: one to two gallons of paint plus sundries.
Typical labor: 4–8 hours at $47–$95/hr billed.
Whole-home interior (~2,000 sq ft)
That assumes walls and ceilings, two coats, normal prep, furnished home.
Plus materials: paint for a whole interior is a meaningful line. Ask for brand and gallons on the bid.
Typical labor: 40–80 hours at $47–$95/hr billed.
Exterior repaint (~2,000 sq ft home)
That assumes wash, scrape, prime and two coats on siding and trim; extensive wood repair is extra.
Plus materials: exterior-grade paint and primer; ask how many gallons the bid includes.
Typical labor: 60–100 hours at $47–$95/hr billed.
Before you hire in New York
Licensing is local — NYC's Dept. of Consumer & Worker Protection, and county offices elsewhere (Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester all license). Check where the job is.
How to verify a New York license · how to get comparable bids · track your quotes side by side (free, no account).
Find painters near you in New York
Other fair price checks in New York
Compare painters rates across all states · all fair price checks