Painter Salary in Denmark 2026: What Do Painters Earn?
Painters finish Denmark's buildings inside and out — a Positive List trade where piece-rate work shapes actual pay. The figures below are the official standardised earnings for the trade.
What does a painter earn in Denmark in 2026?
The official number (incl. pension and supplements, full-time equivalent): The standardised monthly earnings average 40,662 DKK/month (DISCO 7131, 4,610 full-time employees, all sectors, 2024 — pulled directly from Statistics Denmark). Source: Statistics Denmark, LONS20 — direct table extract.
Work permit note: This trade appears on Denmark's official Positive List for skilled work — with a job offer, non-EU citizens can apply for a residence and work permit through the scheme. Lists update every 1 January and 1 July; always check the current list. Source: nyidanmark.dk — The Positive Lists. See also our working in Denmark guide.
The real salary spread — quartiles straight from Statistics Denmark
Averages get pulled up by top earners. The quartiles show where pay actually sits for painters (standardised hourly earnings, all sectors, 2024):
| Quartile | Hourly earnings (DST) | Monthly equivalent* |
|---|---|---|
| Lower quartile (25% earn less) | 225.48 DKK | approx. 36,151 DKK |
| Median (the middle salary) | 249.77 DKK | approx. 40,046 DKK |
| Upper quartile (25% earn more) | 279.64 DKK | approx. 44,835 DKK |
Half of all painters earn between approx. 36,151 and 44,835 DKK/month. Hourly figures are DST's raw numbers — *monthly figures are OUR calculation (hourly earnings × 160.33, DST's standard month). Source: Statistics Denmark, LONS20 — direct table extract. Last fact-checked 16 July 2026.
What makes up the salary?
The standardised hourly earnings in this trade (253.62 DKK/hour, 2024) break down like this:
| Component | DKK per hour (DST) | Share* |
|---|---|---|
| Base pay | 217.56 DKK | 85.8% |
| Pension incl. ATP | 27.29 DKK | 10.8% |
| Shift/inconvenience supplements | 1.97 DKK | 0.8% |
| Irregular payments (bonus etc.) | 6.23 DKK | 2.5% |
| Employee benefits | 0.57 DKK | 0.2% |
Hourly figures are DST's raw component numbers — *shares are OUR calculation. Source: Statistics Denmark, LONS20 — direct table extract. Last fact-checked 16 July 2026.
What moves the pay in this trade?
The Malernes akkordsystem (piece-rate) means productive painters routinely out-earn the base rate, especially on new-builds. Decorative and restoration specialisations price above standard work, and running your own one-person firm is the trade's classic next step.
How to read the numbers
The figures are standardised monthly earnings: everything the employer pays (base pay, pension, supplements, holiday pay) converted to full time. That is usually higher than the base salary on a payslip — but it is the honest number for comparing trades. Part-timers are converted to full-time equivalents. All figures are before tax.
Applying for jobs in Denmark?
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The Danish cover letter guide →Related reading
Average salary in Denmark · Trades careers in Denmark · Working in Denmark guide