Post job

Auto body technician vs paint prepper

The differences between auto body technicians and paint preppers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a paint prepper has an average salary of $41,414, which is higher than the $39,232 average annual salary of an auto body technician.

The top three skills for an auto body technician include spray guns, customer service and collision repair. The most important skills for a paint prepper are body shop, hand tools, and windows.

Auto body technician vs paint prepper overview

Auto Body TechnicianPaint Prepper
Yearly salary$39,232$41,414
Hourly rate$18.86$19.91
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs17,4675,118
Job satisfaction2-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Auto body technician vs paint prepper salary

Auto body technicians and paint preppers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Auto Body TechnicianPaint Prepper
Average salary$39,232$41,414
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $55,000Between $29,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyW&W-
Best paying industry--

Differences between auto body technician and paint prepper education

There are a few differences between an auto body technician and a paint prepper in terms of educational background:

Auto Body TechnicianPaint Prepper
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Auto body technician vs paint prepper demographics

Here are the differences between auto body technicians' and paint preppers' demographics:

Auto Body TechnicianPaint Prepper
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 95.2% Female, 4.8%Male, 91.5% Female, 8.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 1.7% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 2.0% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between auto body technician and paint prepper duties and responsibilities

Auto body technician example responsibilities.

  • Attain ICAR and ASE master technician status.
  • Replace inner and outer body panels using MIG and spot welding machines.
  • Repair all makes and models (big jobs/small jobs) A/C work.
  • Disassemble cars fenders, chrome trim, badges.
  • Load aluminum body side onto jig for automate welding.
  • Steel, aluminum, and fiberglass repair and fabrication.
  • Show more

Paint prepper example responsibilities.

  • Paint primer, undercoats, top layer and clear coats as needed.
  • Operate compress air equipment and gun to apply prime and final coats of paint.
  • Wait for the primer surface to dry then proceed to sand and wash the vehicle.
  • Spray different finishes inside and out, this include primer, flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, high-gloss, lacquer and stain
  • Perform minor bumper repair jobs using bondo and hardener
  • Install, repair and fabricate fiberglass components within specifications dictate by military contracts.
  • Show more

Auto body technician vs paint prepper skills

Common auto body technician skills
  • Spray Guns, 23%
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Collision Repair, 8%
  • ASE, 6%
  • Repair Vehicles, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
Common paint prepper skills
  • Body Shop, 20%
  • Hand Tools, 20%
  • Windows, 12%
  • Coats, 12%
  • Painting Process, 8%
  • Mixers, 3%

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs