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Automotive painter vs body painter

The differences between automotive painters and body painters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an automotive painter and a body painter. Additionally, an automotive painter has an average salary of $40,894, which is higher than the $38,459 average annual salary of a body painter.

The top three skills for an automotive painter include spray guns, OEM and coats. The most important skills for a body painter are refinish, quality products, and coats.

Automotive painter vs body painter overview

Automotive PainterBody Painter
Yearly salary$40,894$38,459
Hourly rate$19.66$18.49
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs36,7198,249
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Automotive painter vs body painter salary

Automotive painters and body painters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automotive PainterBody Painter
Average salary$40,894$38,459
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $53,000Between $27,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between automotive painter and body painter education

There are a few differences between an automotive painter and a body painter in terms of educational background:

Automotive PainterBody Painter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyAutomotive Technology
Most common college--

Automotive painter vs body painter demographics

Here are the differences between automotive painters' and body painters' demographics:

Automotive PainterBody Painter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.0% Female, 5.0%Male, 90.4% Female, 9.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 3.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between automotive painter and body painter duties and responsibilities

Automotive painter example responsibilities.

  • Paint and/or refinish repair areas on vehicle to achieve a better than factory finish.
  • Set up ladders, and scaffolding according to regulation.
  • Use of relate PPE and knowledge of hazardous waste disposal procedures.
  • Set up portable equipment, such as ventilators, exhaust units, ladders, or scaffolding.
  • Sand vehicle surfaces between coats of paint or primer to remove flaws and enhance adhesion for subsequent coats.
  • Work with PPG waterborne paint and primers.
  • Show more

Body painter example responsibilities.

  • Paint and/or refinish repair areas on vehicle to achieve a better than factory finish.
  • Mask area and vehicles prior to spraying.
  • Paint animal molds with base coats for artists.
  • Experience in working with forced-air breathing apparatus and respirators.
  • Entrust to paint luxury cars, including Ferrari, BMW, and Maserati.

Automotive painter vs body painter skills

Common automotive painter skills
  • Spray Guns, 18%
  • OEM, 13%
  • Coats, 10%
  • Hazardous Waste, 9%
  • Stencils, 8%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 6%
Common body painter skills
  • Refinish, 22%
  • Quality Products, 15%
  • Coats, 12%
  • Painting Equipment, 10%
  • Mask, 9%
  • Primer, 8%

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