FairangePainting · VA
Painting costs in Richmond, VA
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
Richmond, VA has its own Painting labor market; here is what the BLS numbers say before you chase bids. Mean hourly pay here sits about 14% below the national OEWS mean.
Mean Painting pay here is $22.99/hr — national rank 292 of 487 areas that publish this occupation. Compared with other VA areas that report Painting wages, this market is #2 of 12. Percentile spread: $17.69–$28.50. Median sits at $22.92.
Local employment for this SOC is roughly 1,010 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 $467 here vs $520 U.S. (10% below); Exterior House Painting mid estimate $5,464 here vs $6,220 U.S. (12% below); Exterior Trim Caulk & Spot Paint mid estimate $347 here vs $390 U.S. (11% below).
Same-state comparison: Charlottesville ($22.89, 0.10 lower); Roanoke ($22.37, 0.62 lower); Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk ($24.13, 1.14 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 | $220 | $467 | $1,026 |
| Exterior House Painting (default size) | $2,637 | $5,464 | $12,010 |
| Exterior Trim Caulk & Spot Paint | $145 | $347 | $818 |
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) | $22.99/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 Richmond, VA Painting. Partner.
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