Painter Salaries in Canada

The average salary for a Painter is $60,393 per year in Canada. Salaries estimates are based on 208 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Painter employees in Canada.

The highest salary for a Painter in Canada is $73,047 per year.

The lowest salary for a Painter in Canada is $49,932 per year.

Wages vary for painters across Canada, depending on geographic location, experience, and level of education. The median salary currently sits slightly above average, with provinces like Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador offering higher wages. Candidates entering the trade can boost their salaries and earn a competitive edge by improving their technical skills through workshops, non-credit classes, and creating a portfolio showing samples of their work. Red Seal endorsement is available to qualified painters upon completion of the interprovincial Red Seal exam.

The painters who earn the most generous salaries are those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a specialty that suits their interests and abilities combined with years of proven, trusted experience and many satisfied customers. Because painters' salaries vary widely according to industry, weighing the pros and cons of where and how you’d like to work is important. For example, you’ll earn more money painting luxury buildings than contemporary art. However, if you decide to work as a freelance painter, there’s no reason why you can’t pursue both. Regardless of the specialty you choose, you can advance your career by gaining experience, networking, adding to your portfolio, and improving specific soft skills, like communication, a keen eye for visual and aesthetic precision, close attention to detail, the ability to perform meticulous and diligent work, and standing for long periods.

When negotiating your salary in a painter role, you should always request at least 10% more than the initial offer. This goes for prospective or current employers and contract-based clients. Because painter salaries typically depend on specific budget and range, most employers will generally choose the lowest figure. However, showcasing an impressive portfolio filled with high-profile projects, years of expertise, and impeccable work can correlate to a higher salary, so use all your talents as leverage. Do you consistently provide work according to the demands and specifications of the end user? How does your meticulous work with a good eye for aesthetics help you excel as a painter? After noting your skills, you can benefit from researching the location, industry, and local painter salaries—this will help you factor in your market value during negotiations.

About 64.09% of Painter professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional $0 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Painter in Canada as a good salary.

Painter professionals in Canada have a wide total pay range, between $42,081 and $86,675 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of $60,393 following the average career path of a Painter.