Painters and decorators salary in the UK (2025/26)
ONS ASHE 2025
£30,889
£30,889
Mean salary
£30,974
Employment patterns
- 90% of Painters work full-time
- 75% are self-employed
- 96.6% of employees have permanent contracts
Source: ONS Annual Population Survey (APS218), 2025
Skilled Worker visa minimum
£33,400
How pay varies by region
London is the highest-paying region for painters and decorators at £39,038 — 26% above the UK median. North West is lowest at £20,933. Use the table below for the full regional breakdown.
Salary by UK region
| Region | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £39,038 | £38,561 | +26% |
| North East | £32,520 | £34,105 | +5% |
| South East | £31,920 | £33,284 | +3% |
| East of England | £31,686 | £36,241 | +3% |
| West Midlands | £30,927 | £31,209 | ±0% |
| Scotland | £30,239 | £28,846 | -2% |
| Wales | £28,649 | £27,920 | -7% |
| East Midlands | £28,289 | £30,515 | -8% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £27,753 | £29,354 | -10% |
| South West | £26,843 | £28,271 | -13% |
| North West | £20,933 | £19,893 | -32% |
London
£39,038
Mean £38,561
North East
£32,520
Mean £34,105
South East
£31,920
Mean £33,284
East of England
£31,686
Mean £36,241
West Midlands
£30,927
Mean £31,209
Scotland
£30,239
Mean £28,846
Wales
£28,649
Mean £27,920
East Midlands
£28,289
Mean £30,515
Yorkshire and the Humber
£27,753
Mean £29,354
South West
£26,843
Mean £28,271
North West
£20,933
Mean £19,893
Sorted highest median to lowest. ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to £30,889. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Related roles in Building Finishing Trades
Other published roles in this occupation group. View category overview →