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Auto body painter salary
Average auto body painter salary
$36,508
Understanding Auto Body Painter Salaries
The average salary for an Auto Body Painter in the United States is approximately $36,508 annually or $18 per hour. Salaries can vary based on several factors, including experience level, geographic location, and the specific employer. For instance, auto body painters in high-demand areas often earn significantly more than their counterparts in less competitive markets.
In states like California and New York, where living costs are higher, auto body painters can expect to see salaries that exceed the national average. Additionally, years of experience play a crucial role in salary potential. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with specialized skills or certifications can command higher wages.
Many employers also offer competitive benefits, which can enhance overall compensation packages. Understanding these dynamics can assist aspiring auto body painters in negotiating better salaries and seeking out opportunities that align with their career goals.
Explore Career Opportunities
For those interested in pursuing a career as an auto body painter, job boards like Zippia provide valuable insights into available positions and salary ranges by state. This information is essential for making informed decisions about your career path.
Let Zippi find your next auto body painter job
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Where can an Auto Body Painter earn more?
Auto body painter salary estimates from across the web
Average auto body painter salary by state
The highest-paying states for auto body painters are Vermont, New Jersey, and Alaska. The lowest average auto body painter salary states are North Carolina, Arkansas, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for auto body painters
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $45,484 | $21.87 |
| 3 | Ohio | $39,545 | $19.01 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $40,430 | $19.44 |
| 5 | Iowa | $40,626 | $19.53 |
| 6 | Vermont | $46,796 | $22.50 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $39,739 | $19.11 |
| 8 | Kansas | $39,074 | $18.79 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $41,868 | $20.13 |
| 10 | Michigan | $37,471 | $18.01 |
| 11 | Oregon | $39,119 | $18.81 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $38,114 | $18.32 |
| 13 | Illinois | $41,547 | $19.97 |
| 14 | Maine | $40,069 | $19.26 |
| 15 | Alaska | $43,765 | $21.04 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $37,096 | $17.83 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $40,453 | $19.45 |
| 18 | New York | $41,662 | $20.03 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $36,667 | $17.63 |
| 20 | Indiana | $35,206 | $16.93 |
| 21 | Montana | $37,412 | $17.99 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $39,921 | $19.19 |
| 23 | California | $42,485 | $20.43 |
| 24 | Delaware | $37,922 | $18.23 |
| 25 | Idaho | $36,249 | $17.43 |
| 26 | Maryland | $38,361 | $18.44 |
| 27 | Washington | $38,479 | $18.50 |
| 28 | Utah | $36,278 | $17.44 |
| 29 | Missouri | $35,342 | $16.99 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $34,418 | $16.55 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $34,526 | $16.60 |
| 32 | Nevada | $36,186 | $17.40 |
| 33 | West Virginia | $35,858 | $17.24 |
| 34 | Arizona | $34,971 | $16.81 |
| 35 | Wyoming | $35,560 | $17.10 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $34,708 | $16.69 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $35,981 | $17.30 |
| 38 | Alabama | $33,971 | $16.33 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $40,654 | $19.55 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $33,178 | $15.95 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $29,912 | $14.38 |
| 42 | Texas | $33,592 | $16.15 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $34,473 | $16.57 |
| 44 | District of Columbia | $36,749 | $17.67 |
| 45 | Virginia | $34,753 | $16.71 |
| 46 | Florida | $32,050 | $15.41 |
| 47 | Colorado | $34,388 | $16.53 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $29,772 | $14.31 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $32,974 | $15.85 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $33,909 | $16.30 |
| 51 | Georgia | $29,883 | $14.37 |
Highest paying cities for auto body painters
The highest-paying cities for auto body painters are Lodi, NJ, San Francisco, CA, and Mundelein, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lodi, NJ | $45,773 | $22.01 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $45,241 | $21.75 |
| 3 | Mundelein, IL | $41,991 | $20.19 |
| 4 | Medford, MA | $41,949 | $20.17 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $41,587 | $19.99 |
| 6 | Johnston, RI | $40,453 | $19.45 |
| 7 | Massillon, OH | $40,102 | $19.28 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $39,571 | $19.02 |
| 9 | Hutchinson, KS | $38,899 | $18.70 |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $34,971 | $16.81 |
| 11 | Richmond, VA | $34,604 | $16.64 |
| 12 | Aurora, CO | $34,365 | $16.52 |
| 13 | Hilton Head Island, SC | $34,272 | $16.48 |
| 14 | Dallas, TX | $33,514 | $16.11 |
| 15 | Raleigh, NC | $33,344 | $16.03 |
| 16 | Jacksonville, FL | $32,354 | $15.55 |
| 17 | Duluth, GA | $29,928 | $14.39 |
Auto body painter salary details
An auto body painter's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $50,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an auto body painter's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| Average | $36,508 | $3,042 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying auto body painter jobs
The highest paying types of auto body painters are transportation equipment painter, aircraft painter apprentice, and hand painter.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Painter | $42,339 | $3,528 | $20.36 | 4,482 |
| Aircraft Painter | $40,227 | $3,352 | $19.34 | 6,791 |
| Auto Body Technician | $39,232 | $3,269 | $18.86 | 17,467 |
Top companies hiring auto body painters now:
Which companies pay auto body painters the most?
Auto body painter salaries at GILLIG and Atlantic Coast Financial are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average auto body painter salary at companies like Conklin Cars and Aerotek are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GILLIG | $43,004 | $20.68 |
| 2 | Atlantic Coast Financial | $41,277 | $19.84 |
| 3 | Conklin Cars | $38,683 | $18.60 |
| 4 | Aerotek | $37,478 | $18.02 |
| 5 | Gerber NCS | $36,611 | $17.60 |
| 6 | Queensboro Toyota | $36,234 | $17.42 |
| 7 | Chase Professionals | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| 8 | PDS Tech | $35,715 | $17.17 |
| 9 | Cox Enterprises | $35,626 | $17.13 |
| 10 | Crash | $35,323 | $16.98 |
| 11 | Cox Automotive | $35,235 | $16.94 |
| 12 | Carvana | $33,486 | $16.10 |
| 13 | Factory Direct, Inc | $33,374 | $16.05 |
| 14 | Fred Beans Ford | $32,412 | $15.58 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Auto body painter salary trends
The average auto body painter salary has risen by $5,237 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average auto body painter earned $31,271 annually, but today, they earn $36,508 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for auto body painters over the last decade.
Compare auto body painter salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average auto body painter salary over time
Compare auto body painter salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Auto body painter salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,500 | $17.55 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $34,900 | $16.79 | +4.4% |
| 2023 | $33,400 | $16.05 | +1.0% |
| 2022 | $33,000 | $15.89 | -0.7% |
| 2021 | $33,300 | $16.00 | +2.4% |
Recently added auto body painter salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mickey Truck Bodies | Auto Body Painter | High Point, NC | 06/29/2025 | $39,653 |
| Aerotek | Auto Body Painter Helper | Apex, NC | 06/21/2025 | $35,479 |
| Gillig | Vehicle Painter-Auto Body Painter | Livermore, CA | 06/14/2025 | $86,569 |
| Prime Golf Cars | Auto Body Painter | Riviera Beach, FL | 06/10/2025 | $25,044 |
| Boyd Group | Auto Body Painter | Oklahoma City, OK | 05/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Mickey Truck Bodies | Auto Body Painter | High Point, NC | 05/28/2025 | $39,653 |
| Glassamerica | Refinish Technician/Auto Body Painter | Lexington, SC | 05/27/2025 | $41,740 |
| Aventure Staffing | Auto Body Painter | Centerville, IA | 05/20/2025 | $52,175 |
| Mickey Truck Bodies | Auto Body Painter | High Point, NC | 04/30/2025 | $39,653 |
| Gillig | Vehicle Painter-Auto Body Painter | Livermore, CA | 04/28/2025 | $86,569 |
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