Painter (Commercial) Salary in Milwaukee, WI — 2026
Painter (Commercial) salary data for Milwaukee, WI — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.
The median Painter (Commercial) salary in Milwaukee, WI is $37,800 per year ($3,150/month, $18/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 90, which is 10% below the national average.
Painter (Commercial) Take-Home Pay in Milwaukee
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $37,800 |
| Federal Tax | -$2,356 |
| State Tax (5.3%) | -$2,003 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$2,892 |
| Annual Take-Home | $30,549 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $2,546 |
Living Cost Comparison
Painter (Commercial) Requirements
Key Skills
Milwaukee Job Market Overview
Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a population of 577,222 and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. The top industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance. The local job growth rate is 1.2%, and the average commute time is 23 minutes.
Related Trades Salaries in Milwaukee
Salary Percentile Breakdown — Painter (Commercial) in Milwaukee
Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Painter (Commercial) in Milwaukee, WI, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $27,000 | $13/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $32,400 | $16/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $37,800 | $18/hr | Mid-career, 1-3 years |
| 75th | $52,200 | $25/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $64,800 | $31/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Painter (Commercial) compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Milwaukee's Manufacturing sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Painter (Commercial) salaries in Milwaukee have grown approximately 3.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:
Year-over-year, an average Painter (Commercial) can expect a 14.1% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 5 years in Milwaukee. Negotiation, certifications (EPA Lead-Safe Certification), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Milwaukee vs National Average
The national median Painter (Commercial) salary is $42,000. In Milwaukee, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $37,800 is 10.0% below the national figure. This reflects Milwaukee's cost of living index of 90 (lower than the national average of 100).
For Painter (Commercial)s, this means: rent typically consumes 41.2% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered rent-burdened), and a median home in Milwaukee costs about 5.6× annual take-home. Homeownership in Milwaukee on this salary is challenging — most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.
Industry Context: Manufacturing in Milwaukee
Milwaukee's economy is anchored by Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance, with 577,222 residents and 3.8% unemployment as of 2026. Painter (Commercial)s working in the Manufacturing sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 1.2%, and Painter (Commercial) occupations specifically are projected to grow 3.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Painter (Commercial) salaries in Milwaukee, WI:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Milwaukee index of 90 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), WI state income tax of 5.3%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine — occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation and cost-of-living data
- U.S. Census Bureau — Milwaukee QuickFacts — population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Milwaukee unemployment rate
Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Painter (Commercial) salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Manufacturing vs others in Milwaukee), specific skill set (Surface Preparation, Spray Equipment, Color Matching), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Painter (Commercial) salary in Milwaukee, WI?
How much does a Painter (Commercial) take home in Milwaukee after taxes?
Is Milwaukee a good city for Painter (Commercial)s?
What skills are needed for a Painter (Commercial) in Milwaukee?
How does Painter (Commercial) salary in Milwaukee compare to the national average?
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay
Use our free paycheck calculator to see your after-tax income based on your specific salary, deductions, and filing status.
Calculate NowExplore More
Across Our Network
- Levyio: Federal Tax Bracket Calculator — see take-home on this salary
- DegreeCalc: College Majors ROI Ranking — what degrees lead to this salary path
- Amortio: Home Affordability — what home you can buy on this income
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Painter (Commercial) salary in Milwaukee, WI?
The median Painter (Commercial) salary in Milwaukee, WI is $37,800 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 90. Entry-level Painter (Commercial)s earn around $27,000, while senior-level professionals can earn $52,200 or more.
How much does a Painter (Commercial) take home in Milwaukee after taxes?
A Painter (Commercial) earning the median salary of $37,800 in Milwaukee, WI takes home approximately $30,549 per year ($2,546/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 19.2%.
Is Milwaukee a good city for Painter (Commercial)s?
Milwaukee, WI has a cost of living index of 90 (below national average). Painter (Commercial)s here earn below the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8% and top industries include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance.
What skills are needed for a Painter (Commercial) in Milwaukee?
Key skills for Painter (Commercial)s include Surface Preparation, Spray Equipment, Color Matching, Safety, Blueprint Reading. Typical education requirement is Apprenticeship. Valuable certifications include EPA Lead-Safe Certification.
How does Painter (Commercial) salary in Milwaukee compare to the national average?
The national median Painter (Commercial) salary is $42,000. In Milwaukee, the adjusted salary is $37,800, which is 10.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.