Painter demand in Philadelphia, PA
How in-demand is painter work in Philadelphia right now, how the local market looks, and how to start.
fewer pros than demand — easier to win clients. 21 painter pros listed on HireLocal in Philadelphia against ~1,900 the market supports — #14 of 16 trades by demand.
Demand in Philadelphia: 670,000 households
Philadelphia has 670,000 households. 21 painter pros are listed on HireLocal — about 1.1 % of the 1,900 the market can support.
- Households
- ~670,000
- Pros the market supports
- ~1,900
- Listed on HireLocal
- 21
| Households | 669,222 |
|---|---|
| Owner-occupied share | 52 % |
| Pros the market supports | 1,904 |
| listed on HireLocal | 21 |
| Coverage | 1.1 % |
| Score | 99 / 100 |
By national ratios Philadelphia supports about 1,900 full-time painter pros — a large market with room for niche specialists, emergency-only operators and franchises alike. That is several times the size of a typical United States city we cover. Ownership is split — 52 % owner-occupied — so a typical week mixes homeowners with landlords and property managers who buy in volume. The housing stock is old for the country, which pushes repair and replacement demand above the national average.
21 painter pros are listed in Philadelphia. Every listed pro covers roughly 29,000 households — plenty of room before this market reads as crowded.
The brick rowhouse facades and humid summers drive demand for masonry-friendly coatings and frequent exterior touch-ups, while lead-paint rules in the abundant pre-1978 stock require certified contractors for any disturbance of painted surfaces in homes with young children.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2019–2023); U.S. BLS OEWS; HireLocal. Updated . How we calculate →
Should you start as a painter in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia supports about 1,900 painter pros; with 21 listed on HireLocal there is still room, though a specialty or an emergency offer will set a new business apart. Pros in United States typically charge $25–75 / hr.
The typical call-outs, each with the DIY guide customers try first — so you know where the paid work starts.
How to become a painter
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Open directory- Is painter a good trade to start in Philadelphia?
- Painter scores 99/100 (Underserved) in Philadelphia — fewer pros than demand — easier to win clients. There are 21 pros serving the city today.
- How many painter pros are there in Philadelphia?
- We track 21 painter pros serving Philadelphia, ranking #14 of 16 trades by local demand.