Pop. 1.8MCOL: 96%5 month season#31 Market
Off-peak rates available - best time for interior work

How Much to Charge for Painting in Idaho?2026 Statewide Rates & Calculator

With 1.8M residents and a 72.6% homeownership rate, Idaho has approximately 1,335,191 potential painting customers. Plenty of work available at competitive rates. Focus on efficiency and client retention. Demand for painting stays steady throughout the year, making income more predictable. Idaho rates run about 8% lower than neighboring Montana - useful context if you serve clients near the border.

Or Use Idaho State Average

Don't see your city? Use the calculator below with Idaho statewide rates.

Enter Your Details

Include hallways

sq ft

Wall surface area

$

Suggested: $43/hr based on Idaho wages

Your Pricing

Recommended Price

$1,424

Range: $1,265 - $1,582

$0.95/sq ft - 17.6h estimated

5 gallons of paint needed + 3 gallons primer

Cost Breakdown

Labor Cost$724.46
Paint$225.00
Primer$60.00
Supplies$45.00
Total Materials$330.00
Subtotal$1,054.46
Markup (35%)+$369.54

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Idaho Painting Market Intelligence

Pricing models, earning potential, and market comparison for painting in Idaho.

Painting Pricing Breakdown

Pricing ModelLowTypicalHigh
Per sq ft (interior)$1$2$4
Per sq ft (exterior)$2$3$5
Per room (avg 12x12)$192$384$672
Per hour$34$43$62

Prices adjusted for Idaho cost of living (96% of national average).

How Much Can You Earn Doing Painting in Idaho?

Part-time
15 hrs/week
$2,786/mo
$33,432/yr
Full-time
35 hrs/week
$6,502/mo
$78,024/yr
Recommended
Hustler
50 hrs/week
$9,288/mo
$111,456/yr

Estimates based on Idaho average rates. Actual income varies by experience, efficiency, and client mix.

Idaho vs Other Markets

MarketHourly RateCOLDemand
Idaho$43/hr96%high
National Average$45/hr100%-
Montana(neighbor)$47/hr104%medium
Wyoming(neighbor)$43/hr96%low
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Idaho Licensing Requirements

  • No state contractor license required
  • Register with Idaho Secretary of State
  • Local business licenses required in cities
  • Workers comp required for all employees

This information is provided as general guidance only. Requirements may change and vary by locality. Always verify current requirements with state and local licensing authorities before starting your business.

Idaho Painting Business Tips

Local insights for running a successful painting business in Idaho

growth

Boise is Idaho's fastest-growing metro. Focus on new construction neighborhoods for early customer acquisition.

pricing

Ski communities (Sun Valley, McCall) have distinct wealthy clientele. Premium positioning works well.

growth

Agricultural properties in eastern Idaho offer large-scale commercial opportunities.

Key Insight: Idaho's population boom (especially Boise) creates a growing market with still-moderate competition.

Painting Demand in Idaho by Month

Plan your year around seasonal demand patterns.

Jan
5%
Feb
10%
Mar
30%
Apr
55%
May
80%
Jun
100%
Jul
100%
Aug
85%
Sep
65%
Oct
40%
Nov
20%
Dec
10%
Peak: Jun-Jul
Off-season: Nov-Feb

Plan alternative income sources for the off-season months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I charge for painting in Idaho?

In Idaho, painting rates range from $34-$65/hour, with an average of $43/hour. Idaho's cost of living is 96% of the national average. Major cities like Meridian command higher rates ($47/hr), while smaller markets like Pocatello average $40/hr.

What's the Idaho average for painting services?

The Idaho statewide average for painting is $43/hour or approximately $129-$215 per job. This reflects Idaho's 96% cost of living index relative to the national baseline.

Which Idaho cities have the highest painting rates?

In Idaho, Meridian has the highest painting rates at around $47/hour due to its 105% cost of living. Other high-rate areas include Boise, Meridian, Nampa.

Do I need a license for painting in Idaho?

Idaho licensing: No state contractor license required Register with Idaho Secretary of State Local business licenses required in cities Workers comp required for all employees This information is provided as general guidance only. Requirements may change and vary by locality. Always verify current requirements with state and local licensing authorities before starting your business.

Is Idaho a good market for painting businesses?

Idaho offers a competitive market for painting with rates averaging $43/hour. The state's 96% cost of living index supports sustainable pricing. Top markets include Boise, Meridian, Nampa.

Trusted Data Sources

Based on

10,000+ quotes

Used by

5,000+ pros

Updated

January 2026

Verified by

BLS Data

Painting pricing data for Idaho is sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau cost of living data, and verified quotes from local service professionals.

Data Sources:

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Idaho Labor Department
  • U.S. Census Bureau

Last updated: January 2026