38,280
U.S. painting contractor establishments
Employer businesses classified as Painting and Wall Covering Contractors.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023Industry reference
Painting Contractor Statistics: U.S. and Illinois
A source-backed snapshot of the painting contractor industry, including employer businesses, employment, and payroll. Figures use the latest complete U.S. Census County Business Patterns release.
Last updated August 12, 2026. Data year: 2023.
National snapshot
Painting contractor businesses are largely small, local employers.
208,201
U.S. employees
Employees reported by U.S. painting and wall covering contractor establishments.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023$11.5B
Annual U.S. payroll
Annual payroll reported by the industry, rounded from $11.485 billion.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 202375%
Have fewer than five employees
28,745 of 38,280 U.S. establishments fell into the smallest employment-size group.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023Illinois and Cook County
A local view of the trade.
These figures cover employer establishments only. They do not represent every self-employed painter or every business that offers painting among other services.
1,505
Illinois establishments
Employer painting and wall covering contractor businesses in Illinois.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 20236,093
Illinois employees
Employees reported by Illinois painting and wall covering contractors.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023539
Cook County establishments
Employer painting and wall covering contractor businesses in Cook County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 20231,958
Cook County employees
Employees reported by Cook County painting and wall covering contractors.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023How to read these figures
Built for clear comparisons, not inflated claims.
All figures use North American Industry Classification System code 238320, Painting and Wall Covering Contractors. The Census Bureau reports employment, payroll, and establishment counts from employer businesses. Payroll figures are reported in thousands of dollars, and the headline figure on this page is rounded for readability.
The 75% small-business figure is calculated from the same U.S. Census release: 28,745 establishments with fewer than five employees divided by 38,280 total establishments. Use the linked source record when you need the underlying table.
Sources and citation
Use this page as a reference.
For a straightforward citation, use: Always Pro Painters, “Painting Contractor Statistics: U.S. and Illinois,” updated August 12, 2026, citing U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns data for 2023.
https://alwayspropainters.com/painting-contractor-statistics
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