How to hire a paint associate

How to hire a paint associate, step by step

Here's a step-by-step paint associate hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the paint associate you need to hire. Certain paint associate roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A paint associate's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, paint associates from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of paint associates.

   Type of Paint Associate	Description	Hourly rate
   Paint Associate	Retail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts (called parts salespersons). Both types of workers help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments.	$11-22

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Sales Floor
   • Plumbing
   • Product Knowledge
   • Customer Issues
   • Customer Inquiries
   • Quality Customer Service
   • Customer Service
   • Front End
   • Coats
   • Customer Orders
   • POS
   • Stock Shelves
   • Customer Complaints
   • Mix Paints

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and maintain the paint and caulking department, and the screw and nails department.
   • Participate in ordering of all nursery stock and managing inventory.
   • Assist with specific plumbing relate questions.
   • Check out customers using retail POS system.
   • Create customize paint by using PPG materials/chemicals.
   • Waterproof buildings, using water roofers and caulking.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your paint associate job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A paint associate salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, paint associates' average salary in louisiana is 50% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level paint associates earn 50% less than senior-level paint associates.
   • Certifications. A paint associate with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a paint associate's salary.

   Average paint associate salary

   $15.88hourly

   $33,021 yearly

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   Entry-level paint associate salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing a paint associate job description

   A paint associate 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. Below, you can find an example of a paint associate job description:

   Paint associate job description example

   Vigor Values
   
   Vigor expects all employees to enhance the atmosphere in which they work by living the Vigor Values every day.
   
   Truth: We seek the truth, and we speak the truth
   
   Responsibility: We act on what we know is right
   
   Evolution: We seek mastery, and adapt to a changing world
   
   Love: We care about the people we work with, and the world we live in
   
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Other duties may be assigned. Successfully performs work as an individual, as a member of a single craft, or multi-craft work crew. Performs work with minimal supervision.
   
   * Complies with craft and shipyard safety and environmental measures
   * Performs sandblast and painting duties.
   * Individually, and as a member of a work crew, blasts coatings off ship hull and tanks to prepare steel surfaces for painting.
   * Tends paint pot and paint equipment.
   * Operates shot blasting booth in shop.
   * Primes and color coats parts in paint booth.
   * Successfully completes sustained work at various heights, including but not limited to, 100 feet.
   * Proper cares and safely uses of hand and power tools and all company property.
   * Prepares surfaces for painting: cleaning and masking.
   * Sets up and operates painting equipment: airless, conventional, brush and roller.
   * Applies epoxy, enamel and industrial coatings.
   * Maintains painting equipment: hoses, pumps, pressure tanks, spray guns and tips.
   * Knowledge of SSPC (Structural Steel Painting Council) specifications.
   * Sets up and operates sandblasting equipment: pot tending.
   * Maintains sandblasting equipment: hoses, nozzles, and gaskets: electric and air.
   
   SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Incumbent performs similar work in all areas of the Yard as the need arises.
   
   KNOWLEDGE AND/OR SKILLS:
   
   * Communicates effectively independently or in a group.
   * Ability to do basic math, i.e. add, subtract, divide and multiply.
   * Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English.
   * Shipyard terminology and shipboard familiarity.
   * Proper care and use of respirators and identification of type required for operation.
   
   EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
   
   High School diploma or GED preferred. Two years industrial painting and/or blasting work experience. Proven skills, work history and/or applicable education will be considered in lieu of work experience.
   
   Associate 2
   
   Proficient in both Fire Watch and Associate 1 job duties. Trains and assists with erecting and dismantling staging. Assists with and/or performs basic pipe bolting under the direction of a Journey Level employee or Supervisor. May perform Associate 1 or Fire Watch duties. Must acquire three (3) additional Ship Repair Skills to progress to the next level.
   
   Associate 3
   
   Proficient in Fire Watch, Associate 1 and Associate 2 job duties. Trains and assists with rigging under the direction of a Journey Level employee or Supervisor. Assists with and/or performs mechanical bolting under the direction of a Journey Level employee or Supervisor. May perform Fire Watch, Associate 1 or Associate 2 duties. Must acquire three (3) additional Ship Repair Skills to progress to the next level.
   
   CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
   
   * HAZWOPER- First Responder Awareness Level
   * Four hour fire watch certification, must be obtained within 30 days of hire
   * Highlift certification
   * Two hour course in pot tending safety
   
   PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
   
   * Painter must transfer tools (deck scaler, scaling hammer, needle gun) to/from area of need. Requires vertically transferring tools (deck scaler, scaling hammer, needle gun) weighing up to (15 lbs.) from (4") to (76"), up to 20/hr.).
   * Painter must transfer 2 gallon bucket of paint to/from area of need. Requires vertically/horizontally transferring 2 gallon bucket of paint weighing up to (30 lbs.) from (12") to (60"), up to (2/hr.), a distance of up to (40 feet) without mechanical assistance.
   * Painter must transfer 5 gallon bucket of paint to/from area of need. Requires vertically/horizontally transferring 5 gallon bucket of paint weighing up to (55 lbs.) from (18") to (36"), up to (10/hr.), a distance of up to (20 feet) without mechanical assistance.
   * Painter must transfer 5 gallon bucket of AF paint to/from area of need. Requires vertically/horizontally transferring 5 gallon bucket of AF paint weighing up to (95 lbs.) from (18") to (36"), up to (10/hr.), a distance of up to (20 feet) without mechanical assistance.
   * Painter must layout dry dock electrical blast hoses, bull air lines. Must horizontally transfer dry dock electrical blast hoses, bull air lines requiring a force up to (80 lbs.), up to (1/hr.), a distance up to (150 ft.).
   * Painter must lower/raise 5 gallon bucket of paint in/out of area of need. Requires upper body forces up to (55 lbs.), up to (20/hr.).
   * Painter must operate sandblasting gun, power tools such as deck grinder, needle gun requiring coupling forces up to (20 lbs.), up to (15/hr.).
   * Painter must access tanks, scaffolding, job locations. Requires climbing ladder up to 100 rungs/hr. in (8 hr.).
   * Painter must access vessels, job locations. Requires climbing stairs up to 100 steps/hr. in (8 hr.).
   * Painter must access tanks, bilge areas. Must access spaces with specific entries (15") x (21").
   * Painter must access work locations; works off JLG, scaffolding. Must tolerate heights up to (100 ft.).
   * Painter must access double bottom, bilge areas. Must work in spaces with limited headroom of (36 in.).
   * Painter must prepare, mask off surfaces for painting. Requires repetitive assumption of posture to access a point (1 inches) from the floor up to (60/hr.).
   * Painter must stand to perform painting and sandblasting duties. Requires tolerance of standing posture up to (2 hr.) continuously, for a total of up to (7 hr.) per (8 hr.).
   * Painter must tolerate working environment with inside ambient temperatures.
   * Painter must tolerate working environment with outside temperatures.
   * Painter requires (near/far/depth/color) vision to perform painting and sandblasting duties.
   * Painter must access sandblasting/paint booths, shops, vessels, work locations. Requires walking up to (3.0 mi.), in (8 hr.).
   
   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
   Talking, Hearing, Vision, Near Acuity (clarity of vision at 20 inches or less), Far Acuity (clarity of vision at 20 feet of more), Depth Perception (three-dimensional vision to judge distance and spatial relationships), Color Vision (if required to distinguish colors for job performance or safety), Field of Vision (if required to observe a large field of vision while keeping eye fixed on a given point for job performance or safety), and Smell.
   
   INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS
   
   * Interaction/communication with others: Communicates with others on site to ensure safety/coordinate work efforts.
   * Works alone/independently: Frequently- Works in pairs.
   * Directs/supervises others: Not Required.
   * Repetitive work: Work consists of performing similar painting related tasks throughout the day.
   * Attention to detail: Surface preparation and color choices must be accurate.
   * Flexibility: Priorities changed during the day.
   
   WORK ENVIRONMENT
   
   * Works indoors: Frequently
   * Works outdoors: Continually
   * Other Exposures: May be exposed to paints, sand, petroleum, upper extremity vibration (sustained and repeated) with hoses, paint thinners, free silica, asbestos, epoxy, dust, and heights.
   * Safety equipment required: Wears hard hat, respirator, gloves, hearing protection, fall restraint and eye protection. Must wear long sleeved clothing and leather boots with steel safety toes.
   * Operation of equipment/tools/vehicles: Uses hoses, high-lift, shovel, ladder, scaffolding, high pressure water wash, 100 to 600 pound pressure pots, hydro pumps, brushes, rollers, 1-1/4 inch blast hose, blast nozzle, air fed respirators/blast hoods, forklift, sandblast hoppers, vacuum units, D.H. (full face respirator) units, and air mixers (drill motors).
   * Required hygiene standards: Per company standards.
   
   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find paint associates for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your paint associate job on Zippia to find and attract quality paint associate candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as salesjobs, salesheads, allretailjobs.com, sales trax.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with paint associate candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   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 paint associate

   Once you've found the paint associate 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new paint associate. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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