FairangePainting · KY
Painting costs in Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
If you are pricing Painting work in Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area, the wage file is the honest place to start. Mean hourly pay here sits about 7% below the national OEWS mean.
On the national Painting wage ladder (487 areas), Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area sits at #206 with a $24.66 mean. Inside KY, that is rank 2 of 8 published areas. Percentile spread: $16.93–$28.84. Median sits at $24.62.
Local employment for this SOC is roughly 140 workers (OEWS May 2025). Nationwide that occupation is about 225,190. How a few common projects pencil out against the national mid: Interior Room Painting mid estimate $491 here vs $520 U.S. (5% below); Exterior House Painting mid estimate $5,809 here vs $6,220 U.S. (7% below); Exterior Trim Caulk & Spot Paint mid estimate $366 here vs $390 U.S. (6% below).
Same-state comparison: Lexington-Fayette ($24.34, 0.32 lower); Owensboro ($23.62, 1.04 lower); Louisville/Jefferson County ($25.78, 1.12 higher).
Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.
Sample project ranges
| Project | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Room Painting | $215 | $491 | $1,037 |
| Exterior House Painting (default size) | $2,551 | $5,809 | $12,150 |
| Exterior Trim Caulk & Spot Paint | $141 | $366 | $827 |
What usually moves the number
- Scope surprises: duct repairs, panel upgrades, extra roof layers.
- How booked local crews are this season.
- Materials choices — we only nudge materials with a dampened regional factor. See methodology.
Rebates (verify; don’t trust a random Facebook ad)
Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project. Start with IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE.
Getting quotes without the circus
- Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
- Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
- Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Painter (47-2141) | $24.66/hr mean |
Source: official BLS OEWS data for this area · area index: oessrcma.htm.
Contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) and the regional materials factor are ours — see methodology.
Paid listing for Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area Painting. Partner.
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Gear people often ask about
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A decent thermostat won’t fix a bad install, but it can stop the short-cycling arguments.
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