Most car paint projects cost between $500 and $5,000 per job, with a typical price near $2,000. Prices vary by state and city, so the range below is a planning guide rather than a quote.
Typical car paint cost
$500 – $5,000
per job · typical $2,000
A general planning range, not a quotation.
Car paint cost breakdown
- Economy paint job$500 – $1,500typical $1,000
- Standard paint job$1,500 – $3,000typical $2,000
- Show-quality paint$3,000 – $10,000typical $5,000
What Car Painting costs
Costs cover surface prep, primer, paint, and clear coat. Prices vary by shop, paint type, and vehicle condition. Economy jobs use single-stage paint, while custom paint jobs can exceed $10,000.
Costs by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently asked questions
How much does a car paint job cost?
Most people spend $1,000-$3,000 for a quality job. Economy starts at $500, while show-quality can be $5,000+.
What affects the cost?
Paint quality, color change vs. same color, bodywork needed, shop reputation, and location. Metallic or pearl paints cost more.
How to save?
Do your own prep (sanding, masking), choose a solid color, get quotes, and consider a paintless dent repair first to reduce bodywork.