Wages vary with level of training, experience and location. Entry level wages may be lower. Paperhangers generally earn higher wages than painters. Painters can lose time because of weather delays or being between projects. Thus, their overall earnings may be lower than these wages suggest.
Apprentices usually start with wages that are about half what skilled workers earn.
As apprentices gain experience and skill, they receive higher pay. About half of all painters and paperhangers are self-employed. These workers must provide their own health insurance and retirement plan. Those who are not self-employed may also need to provide their own insurance. This is because small companies are unlikely to provide benefits.