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Auto body technician vs refinish technician

The differences between auto body technicians and refinish technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a refinish technician has an average salary of $45,014, 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 refinish technician are paint brushes, body shop, and stencils.

Auto body technician vs refinish technician overview

Auto Body TechnicianRefinish Technician
Yearly salary$39,232$45,014
Hourly rate$18.86$21.64
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs17,46728,813
Job satisfaction2-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 37%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Auto body technician vs refinish technician salary

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

Auto Body TechnicianRefinish Technician
Average salary$39,232$45,014
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $55,000Between $31,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyW&W-
Best paying industry--

Differences between auto body technician and refinish technician education

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

Auto Body TechnicianRefinish Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 37%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Auto body technician vs refinish technician demographics

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

Auto Body TechnicianRefinish Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 95.2% Female, 4.8%Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%
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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between auto body technician and refinish technician 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

Refinish technician example responsibilities.

  • Apply all primers, sealers, basecoats and top coats as required.
  • Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
  • Experience with both PPG and DuPont paint mixing systems, their applications, and all paint prep processes.

Auto body technician vs refinish technician skills

Common auto body technician skills
  • Spray Guns, 23%
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Collision Repair, 8%
  • ASE, 6%
  • Repair Vehicles, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
Common refinish technician skills
  • Paint Brushes, 38%
  • Body Shop, 20%
  • Stencils, 16%
  • I-Car, 9%
  • OEM, 8%
  • Coats, 3%

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