This page brings together public figures that help explain the scale of residential painting and the condition of the homes it serves. Each figure links directly to its original government source, with the source date noted beside it.
It is designed for writers, homeowners, researchers, and anyone needing a quick, attributable reference. These figures are national, not estimates for any one town or painting company.
The figures
Six facts worth keeping in view.
38,280
painting and wall-covering contractor establishments
The U.S. Census Bureau counted 38,280 employer establishments in NAICS 238320, the industry that covers interior and exterior painting and interior wall covering.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 County Business Patterns326,900
construction and maintenance painter jobs
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 326,900 construction and maintenance painter jobs in the United States, based on May 2025 employment data.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025$49,400
median annual pay for construction and maintenance painters
The national median annual wage for construction and maintenance painters was $49,400 in May 2025. Median means half of workers earned more and half earned less.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 202589.8%
of U.S. housing units were occupied
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Census Bureau estimated that 89.8% of U.S. housing units were occupied. Owner-occupied homes made up 59.0% of all housing units.
U.S. Census Bureau, fourth quarter 202487%
of homes built before 1940 have some lead-based paint
The EPA reports that 87% of homes built before 1940 have some lead-based paint. For homes built from 1960 through 1978, the figure is 24%.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, October 2011Since 2010
lead-safe work rules have applied to many pre-1978 projects
Since April 22, 2010, firms doing renovation, repair, or painting that disturbs lead-based paint in covered pre-1978 homes must meet EPA or state certification and work-practice requirements.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, rule effective April 22, 2010What the figures suggest
A finish is only part of the job.
The contractor and painter figures show a large national trade. The housing figures explain why maintenance decisions are so varied: homes differ by age, occupancy, condition, and the materials under their paint.
For homeowners, the useful takeaway is straightforward. Surface preparation and a thoughtful assessment matter because a home’s history matters. That is especially true when older paint may be disturbed. For a local next step, explore exterior painting, surface repairs, or request an estimate from Dale’s Painting Service.
Methodology & sources
How to use this page.
Figures are quoted from the named public source and dated according to that source’s most recent figure used here. The page does not combine the sources into a new estimate or claim that national conditions apply to every home. We will review it about monthly and keep these stable links in place as new public data becomes available.
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 County Business Patterns, used for 38,280 painting and wall-covering contractor establishments.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025, used for 326,900 construction and maintenance painter jobs.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025, used for $49,400 median annual pay for construction and maintenance painters.
- U.S. Census Bureau, fourth quarter 2024, used for 89.8% of U.S. housing units were occupied.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, October 2011, used for 87% of homes built before 1940 have some lead-based paint.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, rule effective April 22, 2010, used for Since 2010 lead-safe work rules have applied to many pre-1978 projects.
Cite this page
Dale's Painting Service. “U.S. Painting & Home Maintenance Statistics.” Updated September 25, 2026. https://dalespantingsvcs.org/painting-statistics.