Best Cities to Start a Painter Business (2026)

Where a solo painter business has the most room Our calculation

Wildwood, FL ranks first. One-person building finishing work businesses there average $75,286 a year in revenue, with 13.1 building finishing work businesses for every 10,000 residents (typical metro: 21.5). We scored all 355 metros where the Census publishes building finishing work business counts.

1
WildwoodFLORIDA · FL · $75,286 avg solo revenue · 13.1 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
90
2
DoverDELAWARE · DE · $89,031 avg solo revenue · 16.5 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
87
3
AuburnALABAMA · AL · $75,686 avg solo revenue · 15.5 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
87
4
SavannahGEORGIA · GA · $77,534 avg solo revenue · 19.1 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
85
5
Carson CityNEVADA · NV · $89,029 avg solo revenue · 16.8 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
83
6
KilleenTEXAS · TX · $71,186 avg solo revenue · 15.9 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
80
7
PinehurstNORTH CAROLINA · NC · $76,175 avg solo revenue · 22.4 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
78
8
SpartanburgSOUTH CAROLINA · SC · $75,373 avg solo revenue · 24.8 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
76
9
JacksonvilleNORTH CAROLINA · NC · $68,814 avg solo revenue · 18.0 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
76
10
ClarksvilleTENNESSEE · TN · $70,721 avg solo revenue · 20.2 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fast population growth and lots of new building
76
11
GoldsboroNORTH CAROLINA · NC · $70,776 avg solo revenue · 19.4 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on lots of new building
76
12
GreenvilleNORTH CAROLINA · NC · $68,507 avg solo revenue · 18.6 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fast population growth and lots of new building
76
13
CorvallisOREGON · OR · $69,413 avg solo revenue · 9.4 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
76
14
KnoxvilleTENNESSEE · TN · $82,735 avg solo revenue · 24.6 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
76
15
HuntsvilleALABAMA · AL · $66,659 avg solo revenue · 17.3 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
75

Weights: average solo revenue 3, fewer competitors per resident 3, revenue compared with the local employee wage 2, new home permits 2, population growth 1. Each factor is a percentile among these metros.

Top 5 by each factor Government data

Highest solo revenue

Hilton Head Island, SC: $105,571
Bridgeport, CT: $103,811
Barnstable Town, MA: $102,533
Boston, MA: $94,122
Waterbury, CT: $92,580

Least competition

Hanford, CA: 6.6 per 10k residents
Charleston, WV: 8.0 per 10k residents
El Centro, CA: 8.4 per 10k residents
Visalia, CA: 8.5 per 10k residents
Weirton, WV: 9.4 per 10k residents

Most new building

Wildwood, FL: 24.5 home permits per 1k
North Port, FL: 19.8 home permits per 1k
Lafayette, IN: 17.9 home permits per 1k
Myrtle Beach, SC: 17.0 home permits per 1k
Wilmington, NC: 16.8 home permits per 1k

Fastest-growing population

Wildwood, FL: +21.1%
Myrtle Beach, SC: +20.9%
Lakeland, FL: +19.8%
St. George, UT: +17.4%
Ocala, FL: +17.3%

Every metro Government data

Click a column to sort. “Rate to match it” is the hourly rate you'd need to bill to replace the local employee median, at our default assumptions (25% for tax and benefits, $30,000 overhead, 1,400 billable hours). Try your own numbers in the rate calculator.

#	Metro	Score	Solo revenue	Businesses / 10k people	Employee median	Rate to match it	Permits / 1k
1	Wildwood, FL	90	$75,286	13.1	$47,800	$64/hr	24.5
2	Dover, DE	87	$89,031	16.5	$50,490	$67/hr	6.7
3	Auburn, AL	87	$75,686	15.5	$38,860	$56/hr	7.9
4	Savannah, GA	85	$77,534	19.1	$46,040	$63/hr	12.8
5	Carson City, NV	83	$89,029	16.8	$51,370	$67/hr	9.8
6	Killeen, TX	80	$71,186	15.9	$43,450	$60/hr	6.8
7	Pinehurst, NC	78	$76,175	22.4	$43,590	$60/hr	10.3
8	Spartanburg, SC	76	$75,373	24.8	$40,100	$57/hr	11.6
9	Jacksonville, NC	76	$68,814	18.0	$38,400	$56/hr	6.6
10	Clarksville, TN	76	$70,721	20.2	$42,470	$59/hr	8.7
11	Goldsboro, NC	76	$70,776	19.4	$40,470	$58/hr	8.0
12	Greenville, NC	76	$68,507	18.6	$38,400	$56/hr	7.3
13	Corvallis, OR	76	$69,413	9.4	$47,260	$64/hr	5.0
14	Knoxville, TN	76	$82,735	24.6	$40,420	$58/hr	8.4
15	Huntsville, AL	75	$66,659	17.3	$45,510	$62/hr	8.7
16	Dallas, TX	75	$83,322	25.8	$45,550	$62/hr	8.3
17	Phoenix, AZ	74	$75,039	21.5	$48,860	$65/hr	7.9
18	Greenville, SC	74	$79,459	26.1	$38,660	$56/hr	8.6
19	Austin, TX	74	$79,389	26.4	$46,550	$63/hr	11.3
20	Nashville, TN	74	$91,492	28.6	$44,330	$61/hr	9.2
21	Kennewick, WA	74	$74,437	16.6	$58,990	$74/hr	7.8
22	Appleton, WI	74	$77,155	18.6	$50,640	$67/hr	5.1
23	Raleigh, NC	74	$82,045	28.9	$45,360	$62/hr	11.8
24	Charleston, SC	74	$90,992	28.6	$47,510	$64/hr	8.7
25	College Station, TX	74	$68,646	19.6	$43,420	$60/hr	8.6
26	Iowa City, IA	73	$72,586	19.9	$44,960	$62/hr	7.1
27	Greeley, CO	73	$90,143	29.3	$49,070	$65/hr	8.5
28	Ogden, UT	72	$70,215	17.5	$47,590	$64/hr	5.5
29	Hilton Head Island, SC	72	$105,571	52.8	$38,560	$56/hr	13.5
30	Provo, UT	72	$66,289	21.8	$38,920	$56/hr	10.2
31	Charlotte, NC	71	$81,987	30.2	$44,900	$62/hr	8.0
32	Sebring, FL	71	$69,845	20.2	$46,430	$63/hr	7.3
33	Morristown, TN	71	$76,982	23.8	$39,310	$57/hr	4.8
34	Myrtle Beach, SC	71	$75,009	32.5	$36,040	$54/hr	17.0
35	Madison, WI	70	$75,385	21.8	$56,490	$72/hr	10.0
36	Crestview, FL	70	$86,735	38.0	$47,920	$64/hr	11.5
37	Charlottesville, VA	70	$76,763	25.7	$45,800	$62/hr	9.5
38	Sioux City, IA	70	$77,887	20.3	$46,760	$63/hr	3.9
39	Montgomery, AL	70	$70,512	14.7	$40,600	$58/hr	2.8
40	Lafayette, IN	69	$63,291	16.1	$46,000	$62/hr	17.9
41	Fayetteville, AR	69	$75,006	34.9	$39,080	$56/hr	15.5
42	Tulsa, OK	68	$74,043	23.6	$42,670	$60/hr	5.0
43	Fayetteville, NC	68	$63,447	14.5	$41,600	$59/hr	5.4
44	Wilmington, NC	68	$74,294	36.3	$42,850	$60/hr	16.8
45	North Port, FL	68	$77,485	40.4	$48,470	$65/hr	19.8
46	Logan, UT	68	$63,537	19.2	$41,990	$59/hr	7.6
47	Bowling Green, KY	68	$72,685	27.7	$40,600	$58/hr	7.9
48	Sioux Falls, SD	68	$81,975	32.4	$48,440	$65/hr	7.8
49	Salt Lake City, UT	67	$78,824	25.2	$48,250	$65/hr	6.0
50	Hagerstown, MD	67	$63,011	16.6	$43,070	$60/hr	5.4
51	Winchester, VA	67	$72,666	24.2	$43,600	$60/hr	6.2
52	Lake Havasu City, AZ	67	$64,566	19.6	$44,440	$61/hr	8.2
53	Green Bay, WI	67	$76,389	21.8	$47,890	$64/hr	4.3
54	Durham, NC	66	$70,825	25.0	$46,520	$63/hr	10.1
55	Racine, WI	66	$74,934	18.8	$50,950	$67/hr	3.4
56	Sheboygan, WI	66	$81,416	20.6	$49,460	$66/hr	3.1
57	Birmingham, AL	66	$70,670	18.9	$44,560	$61/hr	3.6
58	Seattle, WA	66	$78,423	19.7	$60,440	$75/hr	3.9
59	Oklahoma City, OK	66	$73,937	24.7	$46,600	$63/hr	5.9
60	Fargo, ND	66	$76,018	24.0	$52,900	$69/hr	5.8
61	Boise City, ID	66	$72,751	31.4	$45,500	$62/hr	11.6
62	Punta Gorda, FL	65	$72,857	34.6	$47,390	$64/hr	15.0
63	Columbia, SC	65	$65,828	20.1	$46,740	$63/hr	7.1
64	Reno, NV	65	$64,565	14.2	$54,060	$70/hr	5.2
65	Asheville, NC	65	$77,538	36.4	$42,970	$60/hr	7.8
66	Kansas City, MO	65	$75,430	22.7	$50,070	$66/hr	4.5
67	Columbus, OH	65	$75,027	24.7	$51,810	$68/hr	7.2
68	Idaho Falls, ID	65	$73,043	33.1	$44,390	$61/hr	9.3
69	Cape Coral, FL	65	$74,388	58.3	$46,840	$63/hr	16.6
70	Midland, TX	64	$71,478	28.2	$45,220	$62/hr	7.3
71	Indianapolis, IN	64	$73,632	23.3	$50,900	$67/hr	5.4
72	Trenton, NJ	64	$77,074	19.3	$59,610	$75/hr	3.0
73	Lubbock, TX	64	$70,243	26.9	$40,560	$58/hr	8.0
74	Bozeman, MT	63	$86,020	66.0	$60,850	$76/hr	12.4
75	Cheyenne, WY	63	$68,137	20.0	$46,870	$63/hr	5.5
76	Daphne, AL	63	$69,135	31.0	$43,370	$60/hr	10.8
77	Sacramento, CA	62	$68,251	15.7	$59,510	$75/hr	4.4
78	Chattanooga, TN	62	$71,111	23.8	$47,470	$64/hr	5.1
79	Springfield, OH	62	$74,505	16.6	$56,860	$72/hr	2.9
80	Tyler, TX	62	$84,909	28.5	$40,160	$57/hr	2.2
81	Atlanta, GA	62	$80,684	34.7	$49,570	$66/hr	5.4
82	Amarillo, TX	62	$74,594	25.1	$42,320	$59/hr	3.7
83	Little Rock, AR	62	$70,177	22.6	$44,660	$61/hr	4.1
84	Atlantic City, NJ	62	$77,547	23.0	$52,940	$69/hr	4.3
85	Athens, GA	61	$67,844	24.3	$41,060	$58/hr	5.8
86	Lincoln, NE	61	$72,743	28.1	$47,170	$64/hr	7.0
87	Gainesville, GA	61	$72,174	38.8	$47,180	$64/hr	9.4
88	Abilene, TX	61	$67,590	26.7	$38,760	$56/hr	6.4
89	Coeur d'Alene, ID	61	$70,671	36.5	$45,900	$62/hr	9.4
90	Omaha, NE	61	$73,242	28.3	$47,760	$64/hr	6.5
91	St. George, UT	61	$68,062	35.5	$43,050	$60/hr	14.5
92	Burlington, NC	61	$60,816	23.9	$39,050	$56/hr	11.5
93	Salem, OR	61	$70,052	19.6	$47,840	$64/hr	3.2
94	Rapid City, SD	61	$71,814	28.5	$46,900	$63/hr	6.3
95	Rocky Mount, NC	60	$65,817	20.8	$40,390	$57/hr	3.7
96	Colorado Springs, CO	60	$73,751	28.9	$48,470	$65/hr	7.6
97	Pensacola, FL	60	$67,217	24.0	$45,950	$62/hr	6.3
98	Bridgeport, CT	60	$103,811	41.7	$59,590	$75/hr	3.6
99	Lexington, KY	60	$72,035	24.2	$47,730	$64/hr	4.5
100	Waco, TX	60	$66,943	21.7	$45,560	$62/hr	4.8
101	Chico, CA	60	$62,301	13.9	$47,130	$64/hr	4.8
102	Panama City, FL	60	$70,059	40.4	$45,820	$62/hr	10.8
103	Odessa, TX	59	$71,715	28.3	$47,870	$64/hr	5.6
104	Boulder, CO	59	$76,520	24.9	$52,760	$69/hr	6.1
105	Columbia, MO	59	$68,458	22.1	$46,260	$63/hr	3.8
106	Port St. Lucie, FL	59	$70,790	39.7	$47,740	$64/hr	9.3
107	Fort Wayne, IN	59	$70,858	22.3	$49,130	$65/hr	3.6
108	Hickory, NC	59	$61,831	23.6	$39,870	$57/hr	8.5
109	Des Moines, IA	59	$73,865	28.3	$57,410	$73/hr	8.5
110	Twin Falls, ID	58	$61,384	21.9	$41,430	$58/hr	5.6
111	Lawrence, KS	58	$64,282	20.0	$39,190	$56/hr	3.1
112	Fond du Lac, WI	58	$80,605	23.0	$49,420	$66/hr	1.8
113	New Haven, CT	58	$85,179	22.4	$58,490	$74/hr	1.8
114	Denver, CO	58	$82,452	33.1	$58,070	$73/hr	5.3
115	Augusta, GA	58	$62,801	23.7	$41,090	$58/hr	6.6
116	Memphis, TN	58	$74,079	22.3	$44,620	$61/hr	2.5
117	Roanoke, VA	57	$72,637	23.2	$45,030	$62/hr	2.8
118	Greensboro, NC	57	$68,437	27.7	$41,870	$59/hr	4.9
119	Philadelphia, PA	57	$75,872	20.4	$57,410	$73/hr	2.1
120	Mankato, MN	57	$69,660	22.2	$46,470	$63/hr	3.4
121	Winston, NC	57	$62,748	25.8	$37,950	$55/hr	6.8
122	Florence, SC	57	$57,920	17.4	$38,400	$56/hr	4.5
123	Stockton, CA	56	$57,709	11.5	$50,290	$66/hr	3.2
124	San Jose, CA	56	$67,269	11.5	$61,970	$77/hr	2.8
125	Olympia, WA	56	$60,266	13.5	$60,410	$75/hr	5.6
126	Cincinnati, OH	56	$69,776	22.0	$50,170	$66/hr	3.2
127	Minneapolis, MN	56	$77,196	24.8	$60,850	$76/hr	3.9
128	Barnstable Town, MA	56	$102,533	83.3	$50,670	$67/hr	2.7
129	Portland, OR	56	$67,849	18.5	$53,280	$69/hr	3.3
130	Spokane, WA	55	$65,454	19.7	$57,050	$72/hr	5.3
131	Riverside, CA	55	$61,029	16.8	$48,910	$65/hr	3.4
132	Norwich, CT	55	$76,695	20.4	$58,730	$74/hr	1.6
133	Milwaukee, WI	55	$73,679	20.5	$50,620	$67/hr	2.0
134	Hartford, CT	55	$82,837	23.1	$58,520	$74/hr	1.3
135	Harrisburg, PA	55	$67,657	18.0	$53,800	$69/hr	2.0
136	Washington, DC	55	$75,414	27.2	$50,560	$67/hr	2.8
137	Bend, OR	55	$65,100	28.9	$48,460	$65/hr	12.1
138	Missoula, MT	55	$75,060	36.7	$57,060	$72/hr	7.1
139	Worcester, MA	55	$86,721	30.0	$54,240	$70/hr	1.9
140	Baltimore, MD	55	$67,397	17.5	$48,600	$65/hr	2.0
141	San Luis Obispo, CA	55	$76,411	20.5	$59,120	$74/hr	2.4
142	Dayton, OH	55	$64,097	17.7	$47,310	$64/hr	2.4
143	Santa Maria, CA	54	$69,717	18.9	$56,420	$72/hr	3.1
144	Richmond, VA	54	$62,620	23.7	$47,670	$64/hr	6.8
145	Oshkosh, WI	54	$61,332	16.4	$51,050	$67/hr	4.0
146	Albuquerque, NM	54	$58,945	13.6	$46,210	$63/hr	3.1
147	Wausau, WI	54	$70,729	22.5	$47,640	$64/hr	2.5
148	Boston, MA	54	$94,122	30.6	$57,820	$73/hr	2.0
149	Lewiston, ME	54	$72,936	36.5	$47,880	$64/hr	4.0
150	Wenatchee, WA	53	$61,337	23.2	$50,630	$67/hr	8.7
151	Medford, OR	53	$65,918	21.3	$45,760	$62/hr	4.2
152	Kiryas Joel, NY	53	$69,350	23.7	$50,420	$66/hr	3.1
153	Homosassa Springs, FL	53	$57,241	23.8	$44,530	$61/hr	12.9
154	Houston, TX	53	$62,751	29.0	$46,140	$63/hr	8.7
155	Bremerton, WA	53	$57,184	13.3	$65,080	$80/hr	6.4
156	Waterbury, CT	53	$92,580	32.4	$55,690	$71/hr	1.1
157	Albany, OR	52	$60,079	12.1	$47,150	$64/hr	1.4
158	St. Cloud, MN	52	$65,737	24.0	$46,380	$63/hr	3.9
159	Manchester, NH	52	$85,998	34.7	$49,670	$66/hr	1.5
160	Vineland, NJ	52	$62,133	12.5	$48,430	$65/hr	0.9
161	Williamsport, PA	52	$71,279	20.4	$46,020	$63/hr	0.6
162	Walla Walla, WA	51	$60,633	12.2	$51,460	$67/hr	2.6
163	Visalia, CA	51	$50,734	8.5	$43,810	$61/hr	3.7
164	Tucson, AZ	51	$57,103	18.5	$44,980	$62/hr	4.4
165	Joplin, MO	51	$58,698	18.6	$45,550	$62/hr	3.0
166	Jacksonville, FL	51	$63,811	32.6	$48,030	$64/hr	8.0
167	Merced, CA	51	$57,154	9.9	$58,220	$73/hr	2.7
168	Columbus, GA	51	$63,952	19.5	$40,100	$57/hr	1.9
169	Bismarck, ND	51	$71,596	25.0	$55,170	$71/hr	3.0
170	Fort Collins, CO	51	$66,213	29.0	$48,900	$65/hr	6.6
171	Grand Forks, ND	50	$68,586	21.7	$50,530	$67/hr	2.2
172	Grand Rapids, MI	50	$69,155	27.7	$48,870	$65/hr	3.7
173	Wichita, KS	50	$60,215	21.8	$45,240	$62/hr	4.8
174	Ocala, FL	50	$60,411	33.4	$45,540	$62/hr	15.0
175	Rochester, MN	50	$73,939	24.9	$60,220	$75/hr	3.2
176	Gainesville, FL	50	$51,882	20.0	$46,840	$63/hr	10.5
177	Flagstaff, AZ	50	$55,677	14.9	$46,920	$63/hr	4.4
178	Deltona, FL	49	$61,732	32.3	$46,440	$63/hr	7.7
179	Columbus, IN	49	$61,091	15.3	$58,560	$74/hr	2.2
180	San Diego, CA	49	$62,207	17.0	$55,970	$71/hr	3.6
181	Cedar Rapids, IA	49	$63,783	22.6	$46,190	$63/hr	3.6
182	Santa Fe, NM	49	$58,665	17.7	$47,840	$64/hr	3.2
183	Bloomington, IL	49	$62,165	17.1	$46,570	$63/hr	1.6
184	Cleveland, TN	49	$53,358	24.0	$37,350	$55/hr	7.3
185	Oxnard, CA	49	$66,107	17.4	$53,460	$69/hr	1.9
186	Orlando, FL	49	$62,032	44.3	$45,210	$62/hr	10.0
187	Janesville, WI	49	$64,417	19.5	$52,070	$68/hr	2.4
188	Palm Bay, FL	49	$60,692	25.0	$49,100	$65/hr	7.3
189	Pittsburgh, PA	49	$64,054	18.6	$49,490	$66/hr	2.4
190	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY	49	$64,376	24.5	$48,920	$65/hr	4.4
191	Naples, FL	49	$65,835	59.5	$48,600	$65/hr	6.9
192	Honolulu, HI	49	$67,049	11.4	$66,160	$80/hr	1.4
193	Allentown, PA	48	$63,321	19.7	$50,880	$67/hr	2.3
194	Longview, TX	48	$68,016	22.8	$47,000	$63/hr	1.0
195	Lawton, OK	48	$53,160	13.0	$38,390	$56/hr	1.6
196	San Antonio, TX	48	$63,239	30.3	$43,430	$60/hr	4.0
197	Casper, WY	48	$68,385	23.9	$47,480	$64/hr	2.5
198	Johnson City, TN	48	$58,905	25.0	$39,390	$57/hr	4.3
199	Prescott Valley, AZ	48	$59,685	28.1	$44,130	$61/hr	7.0
200	Napa, CA	48	$66,242	17.4	$61,400	$76/hr	2.7
201	Manhattan, KS	48	$55,958	18.0	$45,330	$62/hr	3.7
202	Rochester, NY	47	$62,387	18.3	$47,230	$64/hr	1.7
203	Reading, PA	47	$65,203	19.9	$50,380	$66/hr	1.3
204	Tampa, FL	47	$63,030	34.1	$47,570	$64/hr	6.9
205	Billings, MT	47	$68,531	30.7	$58,140	$73/hr	5.4
206	Eau Claire, WI	47	$60,988	23.8	$47,230	$64/hr	5.4
207	Las Vegas, NV	47	$42,658	13.6	$57,360	$73/hr	6.2
208	Ann Arbor, MI	47	$65,241	19.3	$59,210	$74/hr	2.9
209	Lakeland, FL	46	$56,644	28.8	$46,320	$63/hr	10.4
210	Waterloo, IA	46	$61,007	19.1	$55,000	$71/hr	3.3
211	Shreveport, LA	46	$58,797	19.0	$42,670	$60/hr	2.7
212	Redding, CA	46	$62,184	15.4	$54,090	$70/hr	1.4
213	Slidell, LA	46	$58,634	24.4	$43,990	$61/hr	4.0
214	Brunswick, GA	46	$59,349	25.1	$45,760	$62/hr	5.5
215	Albany, NY	46	$60,692	18.2	$51,650	$68/hr	2.3
216	Jackson, TN	45	$59,150	21.7	$42,840	$60/hr	2.6
217	Tuscaloosa, AL	45	$52,831	14.6	$46,210	$63/hr	2.2
218	Sumter, SC	45	$50,491	17.5	$38,400	$56/hr	3.4
219	Fort Smith, AR	45	$61,483	27.5	$39,480	$57/hr	2.9
220	Providence, RI	45	$69,950	28.8	$44,320	$61/hr	1.7
221	Scranton, PA	44	$58,447	15.4	$49,690	$66/hr	1.1
222	Vallejo, CA	44	$59,177	12.7	$62,370	$77/hr	1.9
223	York, PA	44	$60,314	21.3	$54,010	$70/hr	3.4
224	Santa Rosa, CA	44	$68,006	23.0	$62,790	$77/hr	3.5
225	St. Louis, MO	44	$63,257	18.0	$59,810	$75/hr	2.2
226	Blacksburg, VA	44	$48,369	12.6	$39,490	$57/hr	2.7
227	Terre Haute, IN	44	$53,696	10.8	$45,880	$62/hr	1.7
228	Longview, WA	44	$51,809	12.1	$58,500	$74/hr	2.7
229	Evansville, IN	44	$55,230	15.6	$54,400	$70/hr	3.0
230	Yuba City, CA	44	$45,865	13.0	$58,890	$74/hr	4.5
231	Springfield, MO	44	$62,463	28.9	$46,860	$63/hr	3.6
232	Eugene, OR	43	$49,826	15.4	$45,790	$62/hr	4.0
233	Las Cruces, NM	43	$53,528	20.9	$45,240	$62/hr	3.7
234	Bloomington, IN	43	$50,805	19.4	$53,240	$69/hr	7.8
235	Traverse City, MI	43	$67,785	45.8	$52,000	$68/hr	5.2
236	Yuma, AZ	43	$31,615	16.4	$39,590	$57/hr	5.5
237	Salisbury, MD	43	$65,235	25.4	$43,950	$61/hr	1.6
238	Anchorage, AK	43	$69,553	21.3	$60,360	$75/hr	0.7
239	Kenosha, WI	43	$56,059	19.9	$48,820	$65/hr	5.3
240	Champaign, IL	43	$52,936	15.2	$84,370	$97/hr	3.8
241	Lebanon, PA	43	$57,650	20.8	$49,460	$66/hr	3.8
242	Gulfport, MS	43	$56,580	25.7	$47,570	$64/hr	7.9
243	South Bend, IN	42	$57,702	18.2	$48,830	$65/hr	2.3
244	Yakima, WA	42	$47,350	10.7	$46,680	$63/hr	2.8
245	Bakersfield, CA	42	$42,082	10.2	$58,540	$74/hr	3.5
246	Lynchburg, VA	42	$45,435	19.1	$38,990	$56/hr	4.2
247	Chambersburg, PA	42	$53,364	20.8	$56,610	$72/hr	6.6
248	Topeka, KS	42	$57,329	19.6	$46,700	$63/hr	2.7
249	Springfield, MA	42	$63,135	19.3	$49,640	$66/hr	0.7
250	San Francisco, CA	42	$61,465	14.2	$63,600	$78/hr	1.7
251	Virginia Beach, VA	41	$57,143	19.2	$47,110	$63/hr	2.2
252	Portland, ME	41	$66,645	46.5	$63,120	$78/hr	6.2
253	Fresno, CA	41	$41,501	12.2	$52,700	$68/hr	3.0
254	Canton, OH	41	$66,545	24.6	$48,610	$65/hr	1.6
255	Syracuse, NY	40	$53,443	17.8	$48,600	$65/hr	3.1
256	Dothan, AL	40	$51,191	21.2	$43,910	$61/hr	3.9
257	Los Angeles, CA	40	$59,520	16.0	$59,080	$74/hr	2.1
258	Bellingham, WA	40	$55,125	22.0	$58,810	$74/hr	5.3
259	Grand Junction, CO	40	$61,688	33.7	$50,660	$67/hr	5.1
260	Sierra Vista, AZ	40	$37,689	12.5	$40,460	$58/hr	3.7
261	Tallahassee, FL	40	$52,012	24.7	$44,070	$61/hr	7.0
262	Miami, FL	40	$63,862	53.3	$48,490	$65/hr	3.8
263	Mobile, AL	39	$58,095	21.1	$46,370	$63/hr	2.7
264	Macon, GA	39	$51,628	18.0	$45,470	$62/hr	2.2
265	Baton Rouge, LA	39	$53,588	22.4	$49,130	$65/hr	4.9
266	Hanford, CA	39	$36,889	6.6	$63,800	$78/hr	3.3
267	Modesto, CA	39	$50,461	13.8	$48,960	$65/hr	2.2
268	Farmington, NM	39	$51,713	10.4	$44,780	$61/hr	0.7
269	Santa Cruz, CA	38	$63,861	19.6	$62,400	$77/hr	1.8
270	Pittsfield, MA	38	$72,864	37.9	$50,350	$66/hr	1.2
271	Morgantown, WV	38	$39,079	10.8	$31,970	$50/hr	0.2
272	Kingsport, TN	38	$47,383	20.4	$39,750	$57/hr	3.7
273	Grants Pass, OR	38	$55,185	20.6	$47,530	$64/hr	3.3
274	Pueblo, CO	37	$57,054	19.3	$47,020	$63/hr	1.3
275	Johnstown, PA	37	$52,423	11.5	$47,640	$64/hr	0.5
276	Salinas, CA	37	$55,206	14.7	$60,860	$76/hr	1.8
277	Lafayette, LA	37	$55,544	29.8	$43,470	$60/hr	5.0
278	Ames, IA	37	$41,256	15.9	$44,780	$61/hr	3.1
279	Kahului, HI	36	$66,203	27.9	$73,650	$87/hr	5.5
280	Fairbanks, AK	36	$58,126	14.8	$61,420	$76/hr	0.3
281	Erie, PA	36	$54,398	15.5	$47,620	$64/hr	0.9
282	Davenport, IA	36	$59,613	19.1	$57,870	$73/hr	1.6
283	Saginaw, MI	36	$58,216	16.0	$63,360	$78/hr	1.1
284	Ithaca, NY	36	$35,180	15.3	$59,110	$74/hr	4.5
285	Kalamazoo, MI	35	$54,671	19.6	$49,310	$65/hr	1.9
286	Duluth, MN	35	$50,933	18.3	$49,720	$66/hr	2.3
287	Chicago, IL	35	$63,517	22.1	$61,740	$77/hr	1.7
288	Muncie, IN	35	$34,894	15.1	$49,400	$66/hr	2.9
289	Michigan City, IN	35	$47,359	15.9	$49,430	$66/hr	2.6
290	State College, PA	35	$48,981	16.1	$46,570	$63/hr	2.0
291	Utica, NY	35	$53,928	16.2	$50,650	$67/hr	1.1
292	Cleveland, OH	35	$64,505	27.9	$49,590	$66/hr	1.9
293	Youngstown, OH	34	$65,012	25.5	$49,400	$66/hr	0.7
294	Florence, AL	34	$49,749	20.3	$48,190	$64/hr	2.6
295	Muskegon, MI	34	$52,047	21.3	$46,660	$63/hr	2.6
296	Binghamton, NY	34	$48,004	13.3	$53,190	$69/hr	1.9
297	Sebastian, FL	34	$61,871	35.9	$46,960	$63/hr	1.5
298	Akron, OH	34	$65,954	24.5	$57,560	$73/hr	1.1
299	El Centro, CA	34	$39,690	8.4	$57,240	$73/hr	1.3
300	Laredo, TX	33	$43,012	26.5	$36,020	$54/hr	5.0
301	Grand Island, NE	33	$57,631	31.0	$44,550	$61/hr	3.5
302	Buffalo, NY	33	$50,626	14.9	$53,340	$69/hr	1.3
303	Mount Vernon, WA	33	$52,235	20.7	$57,990	$73/hr	2.8
304	Amherst Town, MA	33	$51,017	20.6	$55,040	$71/hr	1.8
305	Alexandria, LA	33	$50,951	19.1	$43,510	$60/hr	1.8
306	Altoona, PA	32	$49,919	15.8	$46,210	$63/hr	0.7
307	Watertown, NY	32	$32,713	12.3	$47,240	$64/hr	2.5
308	Burlington, VT	32	$58,240	29.0	$58,670	$74/hr	5.5
309	Charleston, WV	32	$44,594	8.0	$47,540	$64/hr	0.6
310	Owensboro, KY	32	$46,770	19.4	$45,590	$62/hr	2.3
311	San Angelo, TX	32	$57,125	28.9	$43,130	$60/hr	2.8
312	Elmira, NY	32	$49,903	13.1	$59,490	$75/hr	1.2
313	Jackson, MS	32	$57,422	25.0	$45,130	$62/hr	2.6
314	Lansing, MI	32	$54,599	20.4	$53,400	$69/hr	1.8
315	Niles, MI	32	$54,911	21.9	$47,400	$64/hr	2.4
316	Rockford, IL	31	$53,286	17.2	$72,700	$86/hr	1.1
317	La Crosse, WI	31	$56,433	24.7	$49,490	$66/hr	2.8
318	Monroe, LA	31	$46,395	20.2	$37,990	$55/hr	2.4
319	Elkhart, IN	31	$48,635	22.4	$48,040	$64/hr	3.8
320	Great Falls, MT	31	$58,187	24.9	$58,260	$73/hr	3.0
321	Victoria, TX	30	$52,596	27.7	$37,360	$55/hr	1.9
322	Weirton, WV	30	$39,245	9.4	$46,780	$63/hr	0.1
323	Bay City, MI	30	$52,449	15.9	$64,200	$79/hr	0.7
324	Peoria, IL	30	$47,964	13.2	$64,450	$79/hr	0.6
325	Dubuque, IA	30	$50,838	23.7	$47,400	$64/hr	3.4
326	Springfield, IL	30	$49,852	15.2	$63,930	$79/hr	1.1
327	Lake Charles, LA	29	$47,002	18.9	$46,810	$63/hr	2.2
328	Wheeling, WV	29	$44,376	12.6	$51,200	$67/hr	0.0
329	Anniston, AL	28	$41,947	15.6	$61,480	$76/hr	1.2
330	Brownsville, TX	28	$36,183	25.4	$41,600	$59/hr	6.3
331	Jefferson City, MO	28	$56,967	23.9	$54,110	$70/hr	1.4
332	Texarkana, TX	28	$49,816	20.4	$47,300	$64/hr	2.0
333	Toledo, OH	28	$51,942	19.6	$48,820	$65/hr	0.8
334	Decatur, IL	28	$39,970	12.2	$48,510	$65/hr	0.4
335	Lima, OH	28	$46,779	18.6	$46,530	$63/hr	1.5
336	New York, NY	28	$56,265	22.6	$61,420	$76/hr	2.2
337	Huntington, WV	28	$38,578	13.1	$46,010	$63/hr	0.8
338	McAllen, TX	28	$38,565	32.4	$40,990	$58/hr	8.2
339	Lancaster, PA	27	$59,367	38.0	$49,430	$66/hr	2.3
340	Corpus Christi, TX	26	$50,252	31.2	$47,730	$64/hr	4.7
341	Beaumont, TX	26	$46,186	22.2	$45,840	$62/hr	2.4
342	Bangor, ME	26	$47,977	26.5	$49,200	$65/hr	3.1
343	Albany, GA	26	$45,942	16.9	$61,530	$76/hr	1.3
344	El Paso, TX	26	$47,297	27.4	$36,280	$54/hr	2.3
345	Detroit, MI	26	$60,806	29.3	$56,330	$72/hr	2.0
346	Helena, MT	26	$57,664	34.7	$60,110	$75/hr	2.3
347	Hattiesburg, MS	25	$51,356	26.2	$40,350	$57/hr	0.8
348	Glens Falls, NY	24	$52,802	26.3	$47,690	$64/hr	2.6
349	Flint, MI	23	$55,082	22.6	$61,230	$76/hr	1.1
350	Houma, LA	22	$44,017	22.9	$47,690	$64/hr	2.9
351	Cape Girardeau, MO	20	$43,497	21.9	$58,010	$73/hr	1.0
352	Paducah, KY	20	$37,495	20.6	$45,390	$62/hr	1.7
353	New Orleans, LA	19	$50,020	25.5	$45,980	$62/hr	1.7
354	Kingston, NY	18	$48,886	32.1	$49,570	$66/hr	2.4
355	St. Joseph, MO	17	$39,004	20.9	$51,230	$67/hr	0.5

How to read this

Revenue is what one-person businesses take in before expenses, not take-home pay. A high figure with lots of competitors per resident usually means a busy but crowded market; a lower figure with few competitors can mean room to grow. Business counts come from the Census Nonemployer Statistics (2024) and County Business Patterns (2023), grouped as “building finishing work”, so they include some firms outside the trade itself.

For pay as an employee in any of these cities, see the painter salary overview or the best cities for painters to work.

Census Nonemployer Statistics 2024; County Business Patterns 2023; Census Building Permits 2025; Census population estimates; BLS OEWS May 2025. Our data

Best cities to start a painter business