Paint technician vs auto body worker

The differences between paint technicians and auto body workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an auto body worker has an average salary of $43,244, which is higher than the $37,602 average annual salary of a paint technician.

The top three skills for a paint technician include work ethic, fiberglass and paint guns. The most important skills for an auto body worker are customer vehicles, body shop, and water pumps.

Paint technician vs auto body worker overview

	Paint Technician	Auto Body Worker
Yearly salary	$37,602	$43,244
Hourly rate	$18.08	$20.79
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	28,982	27,162
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Paint technician vs auto body worker salary

Paint technicians and auto body workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Paint Technician	Auto Body Worker
Average salary	$37,602	$43,244
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $48,000	Between $26,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	Santa Clarita, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Ball	-
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between paint technician and auto body worker education

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

	Paint Technician	Auto Body Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Paint technician vs auto body worker demographics

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

	Paint Technician	Auto Body Worker
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%	Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between paint technician and auto body worker duties and responsibilities

Paint technician example responsibilities.

Use of booms, and hoists.
Use and conduct proper care of PPE.
Remove and replace chrome moldings and trim.
Help troubleshoot any issues with the painting systems.
Control CNC machine to run the assembly line.
Paint PrepperI work as a paint prepper for Nalley BMW.

Auto body worker example responsibilities.

Operate automated welding machines and spot welding, mig brazing and soldering welding.
Prepare vehicles for painting using Bondo and primer.
Grind, hammer out, apply Bondo, sand out, and prime dents.
Transport metal parts, nut weld parts; Mig weld and used a hand gun welder.
Utilize sophisticate diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot and correct vehicle computer, electrical, and mechanical, problems.
Utilize sophisticate diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot and correct vehicle computer, electrical, and mechanical, problems.

Paint technician vs auto body worker skills

Common paint technician skills

Work Ethic, 11%
Fiberglass, 9%
Paint Guns, 7%
Ladders, 6%
Painting Equipment, 5%
Safety Procedures, 4%

Common auto body worker skills

Customer Vehicles, 56%
Body Shop, 10%
Water Pumps, 8%
Condensers, 6%
MIG, 5%
Body Panels, 3%

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Paint Technician
Paint Technician vs Auto Body Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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