FairangePainting · IN
Painting costs in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI has its own Painting labor market; here is what the BLS numbers say before you chase bids. Mean hourly pay here sits about 8% below the national OEWS mean.
Among 487 OEWS areas with published Painting wages, South Bend-Mishawaka ranks #216 nationally on mean hourly pay ($24.47). Compared with other IN areas that report Painting wages, this market is #7 of 14. Hourly wages stretch from $17.55 (10th percentile) to $32.92 (90th). That $15.37 gap is why two bids on the same scope can still look honest.
Local employment for this SOC is roughly 170 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 $488 here vs $520 U.S. (6% below); Exterior House Painting mid estimate $5,770 here vs $6,220 U.S. (7% below); Exterior Trim Caulk & Spot Paint mid estimate $364 here vs $390 U.S. (7% below).
Nearby / same-state markets worth checking: Fort Wayne ($24.37, 0.10 lower); Elkhart-Goshen ($24.21, 0.26 lower); Muncie ($24.73, 0.26 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 | $219 | $488 | $1,139 |
| Exterior House Painting (default size) | $2,625 | $5,770 | $13,679 |
| Exterior Trim Caulk & Spot Paint | $145 | $364 | $919 |
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.
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.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Painter (47-2141) | $24.47/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 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Painting. Partner.
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