How to hire an auto painter

How to hire an auto painter, step by step

Here's a step-by-step auto painter hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an auto painter job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new auto painter
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The auto painter hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an auto painter to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an auto painter that fits the bill.

   This list presents auto painter salaries for various positions.

   Type of Auto Painter	Description	Hourly rate
   Auto Painter	Painting and coating workers paint and coat, often with machines, a wide range of products, including cars, jewelry, and ceramics.	$14-25
   Aircraft Painter	An aircraft painter is responsible for applying paints on the aircraft surfaces and inspecting the condition of the plane parts to ensure that the task would not affect the plane's performance in any way. Aircraft painters operate various tools and equipment to manage the flow of coating and painting according to the business specifications and requirements... Show more	$13-25
   Painter	Painters are skilled professionals who handle the painting needs of clients. They work closely with their clients to ensure that they will be able to do what is expected of them... Show more	$14-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Coats
   • Mask
   • Auto Body Painting
   • Customer Service
   • Painting Process
   • Stencils
   • Spray Guns
   • Refinish
   • Base Coat
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Quality Standards
   • Smooth Surfaces
   • PPG
   • Air Tools

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Paint and/or refinish repair areas on vehicle to achieve a better than factory finish.
   • Paint steam and water treatment piping using scaffolding, safety harnesses, and follow refinery safety protocols
   • Operate strriping machines, sandblasters and spray equipment.
   • Entrust to paint luxury cars, including Ferrari, BMW, and Maserati.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your auto painter job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An auto painter can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, auto painters' average salary in georgia is 36% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level auto painters 43% less than senior-level auto painters.
   • Certifications. An auto painter with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an auto painter's salary.

   Average auto painter salary

   $41,337yearly

   $19.87 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level auto painter salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing an auto painter job description

   An auto painter job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an auto painter job description:

   Auto painter job description example

   PeopleReady has an immediate opening for Auto Painters in Orlando, FL.
   
   Do you have a creative way that you like to express yourself? Perhaps you'd be interested in painting this town red? PeopleReady is now hiring Painters who can bring a positive attitude and professional flair to the jobsite.
   
   Professional painters begin by preparing surfaces for painting. This may require removing old paint, filling holes, and washing walls. Sandpaper, wire brushes, scrapers, and abrasive blasting may be used to prepare surfaces. The Painter fills holes and divots with putty, plaster, or caulk, and then ensures that surfaces are not susceptible to moisture by sealing cracks and corners where building materials meet.
   
   After a surface is clean and ready for paint, professional painters apply primer and paint at the appropriate spread rate and temperature in order to ensure the best results. Primer selection is based on the location and type of surface being finished.
   
   Our Painters also show a keen knowledge of color theory. While color selection is ultimately up to the customer, painters advise clients and craft the appearance their customers seek. They may use varnish, oil, or paint additives to derive specific colors and textures. Some special techniques provide decorative and faux finishes. These finishes often require the use of washes, glazes, and layering. Professional Painters may also use techniques such as sponging, distressing, stippling, and color blocking to build effects for their clients.
   
   Painters also handle jobsite preparation and cleanup. They may build scaffolding and use dropcloths or tape in order to clean paint spills, dust from sanding, and other materials, and remove them from a completed jobsite. Although some painters do all types of painting, many specialize in one type, such as new construction, signs, exterior or interior work, or remodeling. Regardless of the type, we would love to talk more about this full-time opportunity.
   
   Note - Pay rate for this job is $18.00/Hour
   
   Shift timing - 1st shift (Day)
   
   Responsibilities Include:
   
   * Applying various finishes to equipment, buildings, bridges, or other structures
   
   * Applying primers or sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare wood or metal, for finish coats
   
   * Mixing colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency
   
   Qualifications:
   
   * Background check and Drug screen required.
   
   * Experience with interior and exterior painting
   
   * Reliable transportation to and from different jobsites
   
   * Tools of the trade and the ability to bring them to the jobsite
   
   * References to verify your professional skills and experiences
   
   * Strong work ethic and positive attitude
   
   * Able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time and able to occasionally lift and move 20 pounds
   
   PeopleReady is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religious affiliation, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by law. We will get to know you and connect you with jobs that match your skills, experience and preferences. We work hard every single day to find jobs so each employee has opportunity and variety in their work.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right auto painter for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your auto painter job on Zippia to find and recruit auto painter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit auto painters, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new auto painter

   Once you've found the auto painter candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new auto painter first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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