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The differences between paint technicians and body shop technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a body shop technician has an average salary of $42,116, 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 a body shop technician are body shop, OSHA, and refinish.
| Paint Technician | Body Shop Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $37,602 | $42,116 |
| Hourly rate | $18.08 | $20.25 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 28,982 | 40,107 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The responsibilities of a Paint Technician primarily depend on their place or industry of employment. In the automotive industry, a Paint Technician specializes in painting new vehicles, conducting paint repairs, or providing custom paint services. Their tasks often include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, developing strategies and concepts, and adhering to schedules and formats. Aside from having a great attention to detail, a Paint Technician must also have strength, endurance, and presence of mind as their duties require long hours of physical work.
A body shop technician specializes in repairing and restoring the exteriors of vehicles. It is their responsibility to assess vehicle damage reports, conduct inspections, develop plans, provide cost estimates, remove damaged parts and attach new ones, realign frames and structures, perform installations and upgrades, and refinish surfaces. They may also assist clients by answering inquiries, providing them with vehicle care advice, and recommending upgrades. Moreover, a body shop technician typically works in a group setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Paint technicians and body shop technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Paint Technician | Body Shop Technician | |
| Average salary | $37,602 | $42,116 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $48,000 | Between $26,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clarita, CA | Middletown, CT |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Ball | DATTCO |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a paint technician and a body shop technician in terms of educational background:
| Paint Technician | Body Shop Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between paint technicians' and body shop technicians' demographics:
| Paint Technician | Body Shop Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% |
| 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, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |