What should painting cost?

An estimate from what painters are paid in your metro, how fast a painter covers a wall and how much paint the job takes.

WhereWall area to paintsq ftA 12×12 ft room with 8 ft ceilings is about 380 sq ft of wall.

Coats123

PrepLightGood wallsTypicalPatching, caulk, maskingHeavyRepairs, peeling paint

Assumptions

Starting points, not measurements. Change them to match a quote you have.

Painter covers, sq ft an hour per coatContractor bills × the painter's wagePayroll costs, insurance, overhead and profit.Paint covers, sq ft a gallonPaint costs, $ a gallon

Estimated price in Phoenix$1,110–$1,502

Painter-hours: 17.8
Labour: $921
Paint, 7 gal: $385

Labour is painter-hours × $23/hr median wage × 2.2. The range is ±15%.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, median hourly wage by metro area. The 2–2.5× billing multiple is our assumption; real quotes vary with the job, materials and season.

Sources

House painters: Painters, construction and maintenance (SOC 47-2141)
BLS OEWS wage tables

What should painting cost?

Check the licence before you hire