What is the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage for a painter in California?

There is no single figure. Active federal determinations for California publish 48 painter classification rates ranging from $8.19 to $57.00 per hour before fringe benefits. The rate that applies depends on the county, the type of construction and the wage determination incorporated into the contract.

How many counties in California have a published painter rate?

58 of the counties covered by active federal determinations list at least one painter classification.

Do these rates apply to state-funded projects?

No. These are federal Davis-Bacon rates, which apply to federally funded or assisted construction. California may set its own prevailing wage rates for state and locally funded work; the state law summary is on the California prevailing wage page.

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Painter prevailing wage rates in California

Federal Davis-Bacon rates published in 27 active determinations, 2026

Active federal Davis-Bacon determinations for California publish 48 painter classification rates, across 27 determinations covering 58 counties.
Those published base rates run from $8.19 to $57.00 an hour before fringe benefits. Which one applies to a job depends on its county, its construction type and the determination written into the contract.
Construction types covered: Building, Heavy, Highway, Residential.
Last determination revision affecting painter rates in California: 2026-09-03.

The official source: binding Davis-Bacon and Service Contract Act wage determinations are published by the U.S. Department of Labor at SAM.gov Wage Determinations. This site indexes them and links every determination to its official document - the determination incorporated into a contract governs.

This page collects every classification in California's active federal determinations that is a form of painter work (brush, roller and spray application) and shows the rate published for it. Determinations name a classification the way the underlying union agreement or wage survey named it, so the wording varies between them; the rate and the fringe are reproduced exactly as published.

Published rates by determination

CA20260001 rev 3 · Building, Heavy, Highway, Residential · San Diego

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (2) ALL OTHER WORK	$38.52	18.64	PAIN0036-001 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260001 on SAM.gov.

CA20260002 rev 4 · Building, Heavy, Highway · Imperial

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (2) ALL OTHER WORK	$38.52	18.64	PAIN0036-001 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260002 on SAM.gov.

CA20260004 rev 4 · Heavy, Highway · Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS (LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES)	$53.38	28.04	PAIN0016-021 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTERS: BRUSH & ROLLER (DEL NORTE AND HUMBOLDT COUNTIES)	$13.35	2.94	PAIN1034-001 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTERS: SANDBLASTER, SPRAY, STRUCTURAL STEEL & SWING STAGE (DEL NORTE AND HUMBOLDT COUNTIES)	$13.60	2.94	PAIN1034-001 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260004 on SAM.gov.

CA20260005 rev 2 · Building · Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: SANDBLASTING; SPRAY; STEAM-CLEANING (LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES)	$21.28	4.68	SUCA1986-001 DOL wage survey rate
PAINTERS: PAPERHANGER; SANDBLASTER; SPRAY; STRUCTURAL STEEL; SWING STAGE; TAPER (DEL NORTE AND HUMBOLDT COUNTIES)	$12.76	2.43	SUCA1986-001 DOL wage survey rate
PAINTERS: DRYWALL FINISHER; PAPERHANGER (LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES)	$21.78	4.68	SUCA1986-001 DOL wage survey rate
PAINTERS: BRUSH; ROLLER (DEL NORTE AND HUMBOLDT COUNTIES)	$12.51	2.43	SUCA1986-001 DOL wage survey rate
PAINTERS: BRUSH (LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES)	$20.78	4.68	SUCA1986-001 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260005 on SAM.gov.

CA20260007 rev 5 · Building, Heavy, Highway · Alpine, Amador, Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn and 18 more

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS (SPRAY/SANDBLAST: $0.50 ADDITIONAL PER HOUR. EXOTIC MATERIALS: $1.25 ADDITIONAL PER HOUR. HIGH TIME: OVER 50 FT ABOVE GROUND OR WATER LEVEL $2.00 ADDITIONAL PER HOUR. 100	$43.45	22.80	PAIN0016-007 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260007 on SAM.gov.

CA20260008 rev 1 · Residential · Butte

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER: BRUSH ONLY	$8.90	0.00	SUCA1988-001 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260008 on SAM.gov.

CA20260009 rev 1 · Residential · Fresno, Kern, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and 1 more

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER, INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (2) ALL OTHER WORK KERN COUNTY:	$34.08	18.50	PAIN0036-017 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260009 on SAM.gov.

CA20260011 rev 1 · Residential · Kings

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER	$8.19	0.00	SUCA1982-003 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260011 on SAM.gov.

CA20260012 rev 5 · Building, Heavy, Highway · San Luis Obispo

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: (3) JOURNEYMAN PAINTER INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT	$36.44	18.58	PAIN0036-007 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTERS: (4) INDUSTRIAL	$41.42	19.04	PAIN0036-007 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTERS: (5) ALL OTHER WORK	$36.44	18.58	PAIN0036-007 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260012 on SAM.gov.

CA20260013 rev 1 · Residential · Shasta

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER	$10.45	0.00	SUCA1986-005 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260013 on SAM.gov.

CA20260014 rev 6 · Building, Heavy, Highway · Santa Barbara

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS, INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (5) ALL OTHER WORK	$36.44	18.58	PAIN0036-002 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTERS: INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (1) JOURNEYMAN PAINTER	$36.44	18.58	PAIN0036-002 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260014 on SAM.gov.

CA20260015 rev 5 · Building, Heavy, Highway · Ventura

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: (3) JOURNEYMAN PAINTER INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT	$36.44	18.58	PAIN0036-007 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTERS: (4) INDUSTRIAL	$41.42	19.04	PAIN0036-007 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTERS: (5) ALL OTHER WORK	$36.44	18.58	PAIN0036-007 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260015 on SAM.gov.

CA20260016 rev 4 · Building · Tulare

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER	$9.87	0.00	SUCA1984-001 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260016 on SAM.gov.

CA20260017 rev 4 · Residential · Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo and 2 more

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER, INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (1) REPAINT (SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA & VENTURA)	$25.40	15.87	PAIN0036-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTER, INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (1) REPAINT IMPERIAL, LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE & SAN BERNARDINO	$28.59	15.97	PAIN0036-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTER, INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (2) ALL OTHER WORK (SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA & VENTURA)	$30.04	16.03	PAIN0036-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTER, INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (2) ALL OTHER WORK IMPERIAL, LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE & SAN BERNARDINO	$32.12	16.09	PAIN0036-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTER, INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (3) JOURNEYMAN & INDUSTRIAL IMPERIAL, LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE & SAN BERNARDINO	$34.02	16.49	PAIN0036-005 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTER, INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (3) JOURNEYMAN & INDUSTRIAL SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA & VENTURA	$34.02	16.49	PAIN0036-005 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260017 on SAM.gov.

CA20260018 rev 7 · Building, Heavy, Highway · Alameda, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kings, Madera and 11 more

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER (SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY)	$57.00	28.04	PAIN0016-022 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260018 on SAM.gov.

CA20260019 rev 6 · Residential · Alameda, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Marin, Monterey, Napa and 12 more

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: BRUSH (EL DORADO, PLACER, SACRAMENTO, SUTTER, YOLO AND YUBA COUNTIES) SPRAY/SANDBLAST: $0.50 ADDITIONAL PER HOUR. EXOTIC MATERIALS: $1.25 ADDITIONAL PER HOUR. HIGH TIME:	$43.45	22.80	PAIN0016-002 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTER (SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY)	$57.00	28.04	PAIN0016-019 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260019 on SAM.gov.

CA20260020 rev 5 · Building, Heavy, Highway · Inyo, Kern, Mono

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (1) JOURNEYMAN PAINTER	$34.08	18.50	PAIN0036-021 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTERS: INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (4) ALL OTHER WORK	$34.08	18.50	PAIN0036-021 collectively bargained (union) rate
PAINTERS: INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (5) INDUSTRIAL	$41.42	19.04	PAIN0036-021 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260020 on SAM.gov.

CA20260022 rev 5 · Building, Heavy, Highway · Los Angeles

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (2) ALL OTHER WORK	$38.52	18.64	PAIN0036-001 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260022 on SAM.gov.

CA20260023 rev 1 · Building · Amador

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: SPRAY	$14.64	4.60	SUCA1985-003 DOL wage survey rate
PAINTERS: SANDBLASTER; SCAFFOLD; SHEETROCK; STRUCTURAL STEEL; SWING STAGE; TAPER	$15.79	4.60	SUCA1985-003 DOL wage survey rate
PAINTERS: BRUSH	$14.39	4.60	SUCA1985-003 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260023 on SAM.gov.

CA20260024 rev 4 · Building, Heavy, Highway · Orange

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (2) ALL OTHER WORK	$38.52	18.64	PAIN0036-001 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260024 on SAM.gov.

CA20260025 rev 4 · Building, Heavy, Highway · Riverside

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (2) ALL OTHER WORK	$38.52	18.64	PAIN0036-001 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260025 on SAM.gov.

CA20260026 rev 4 · Building, Heavy, Highway · San Bernardino

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTERS: INCLUDING LEAD ABATEMENT: (2) ALL OTHER WORK	$38.52	18.64	PAIN0036-001 collectively bargained (union) rate

Official document: CA20260026 on SAM.gov.

CA20260027 rev 1 · Residential · Humboldt

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER)	$26.37	9.81	SUCA2013-001 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260027 on SAM.gov.

CA20260028 rev 2 · Residential · Tuolumne

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER)	$26.37	9.81	SUCA2013-002 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260028 on SAM.gov.

CA20260029 rev 2 · Residential · Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Mariposa, Mono

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER)	$26.37	9.81	SUCA2013-003 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260029 on SAM.gov.

CA20260030 rev 1 · Residential · Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas and 4 more

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER)	$26.37	9.81	SUCA2013-004 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260030 on SAM.gov.

CA20260031 rev 1 · Residential · Del Norte, Lake, Mendocino

Classification as published	Base rate	Fringes	Rate schedule
PAINTER (BRUSH AND ROLLER)	$26.37	9.81	SUCA2013-005 DOL wage survey rate

Official document: CA20260031 on SAM.gov.

Where to go next

Painter rates in every state · California prevailing wage and state law · California determinations by county · pay calculator

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