Pop. 1.4MCOL: 112%5 month season#34 Market
Off-peak rates available - best time for interior work

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

With 1.4M residents and a 73.6% homeownership rate, Maine has approximately 1,002,696 potential painting customers. Higher costs of living with moderate demand means less competition - a real opportunity to become the go-to provider. Demand for painting stays steady throughout the year, making income more predictable.

Or Use Maine State Average

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

Enter Your Details

Include hallways

sq ft

Wall surface area

$

Suggested: $50/hr based on Maine wages

Your Pricing

Recommended Price

$1,772

Range: $1,575 - $1,969

$1.18/sq ft - 17.6h estimated

5 gallons of paint needed + 3 gallons primer

Cost Breakdown

Labor Cost$982.80
Paint$225.00
Primer$60.00
Supplies$45.00
Total Materials$330.00
Subtotal$1,312.80
Markup (35%)+$459.20

While you paint, customers call. 62% won't leave voicemail.

Voctiv AI answers calls 24/7 while you work. Free to try.

Maine Painting Market Intelligence

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

Painting Pricing Breakdown

Pricing ModelLowTypicalHigh
Per sq ft (interior)$2$3$4
Per sq ft (exterior)$2$4$6
Per room (avg 12x12)$224$448$784
Per hour$39$50$73

Prices adjusted for Maine cost of living (112% of national average).

How Much Can You Earn Doing Painting in Maine?

Part-time
15 hrs/week
$3,251/mo
$39,012/yr
Full-time
35 hrs/week
$7,585/mo
$91,020/yr
Recommended
Hustler
50 hrs/week
$10,836/mo
$130,032/yr

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

Maine vs Other Markets

MarketHourly RateCOLDemand
Maine$50/hr112%medium
National Average$45/hr100%-
New Hampshire(neighbor)$50/hr112%medium
Your Competitors Are Picking Up

Your Business Misses 5-10 Calls a Day.
One Is a Hot Lead - Gone to a Competitor.

Every time you can't answer, that caller Googles the next business - and they pick up. 62% won't leave a voicemail. They won't call back. That's $200-500 walking out the door. Stop losing money - let AI answer while you work.

Instant Call Answering

Never miss a lead, even at 3 AM

Smart Scheduling

Books appointments directly to your calendar

SMS Follow-ups

Automatic text confirmations to callers

24/7 Availability

Works while you sleep, holidays included

Losing:$3,000-$6,000/mo in missed calls
Invest:$29/moto capture every hot lead

"I calculated 3 missed calls per day at $500 average job. Voctiv captures those - that's $1,500/day saved."

- Paul D., Interior Painting Pro, Wisconsin

Setup takes 40 seconds. While you're reading this, someone's trying to call you.

Maine Licensing Requirements

  • No state contractor license required
  • Register with Maine Secretary of State
  • Local licenses vary by municipality
  • Workers comp required for 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.

Maine Painting Business Tips

Local insights for running a successful painting business in Maine

pricing

Compressed season (May-October) means premium pricing is expected. Don't undercharge.

marketing

Second homes and summer properties need spring opening and fall closing services. Package these.

Key Insight: Maine's short season and tourism economy mean higher rates are expected — price for the season, not the hour.

Painting Demand in Maine by Month

Plan your year around seasonal demand patterns.

Jan
0%
Feb
5%
Mar
20%
Apr
50%
May
80%
Jun
100%
Jul
100%
Aug
85%
Sep
60%
Oct
35%
Nov
15%
Dec
5%
Peak: Jun-Aug
Off-season: Nov-Mar

Plan alternative income sources for the off-season months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I charge for painting in Maine?

In Maine, painting rates range from $40-$75/hour, with an average of $50/hour. Maine's cost of living is 112% of the national average. Major cities like Portland command higher rates ($53/hr), while smaller markets like Auburn average $45/hr.

What's the Maine average for painting services?

The Maine statewide average for painting is $50/hour or approximately $150-$250 per job. This reflects Maine's 112% cost of living index relative to the national baseline.

Which Maine cities have the highest painting rates?

In Maine, Portland has the highest painting rates at around $53/hour due to its 118% cost of living. Other high-rate areas include Portland, Lewiston, Bangor.

Do I need a license for painting in Maine?

Maine licensing: No state contractor license required Register with Maine Secretary of State Local licenses vary by municipality Workers comp required for 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 Maine a good market for painting businesses?

Maine offers a strong market for painting with rates averaging $50/hour. The state's 112% cost of living index supports sustainable pricing. Top markets include Portland, Lewiston, Bangor.

Trusted Data Sources

Based on

10,000+ quotes

Used by

5,000+ pros

Updated

January 2026

Verified by

BLS Data

Painting pricing data for Maine 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
  • Maine Labor Department
  • U.S. Census Bureau

Last updated: January 2026