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Painter helper vs spray painter

The differences between painter helpers and spray painters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes More than 10 years to become both a painter helper and a spray painter. Additionally, a spray painter has an average salary of $40,155, which is higher than the $32,449 average annual salary of a painter helper.

The top three skills for a painter helper include safety rules, OSHA and painting equipment. The most important skills for a spray painter are painting equipment, spray guns, and coats.

Painter helper vs spray painter overview

Painter HelperSpray Painter
Yearly salary$32,449$40,155
Hourly rate$15.60$19.31
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs17,1834,325
Job satisfaction4.255
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a painter helper do?

A painter helper is a specialist who assists the principal painter with the preparation of a room, building, car, or other objects. You will be responsible for the preliminary work before the actual painting, such as preparing the work area, scraping off old paint, buffing and sanding surfaces, and applying filler and taping. Paint helpers are essential for the efficient and timely completion of a painting project. They are primarily in the automotive, home, or construction industries, where most painting work is done.

What does a spray painter do?

A spray painter applies spray paint to automobiles. They also apply primers, remove old paint, and repair minor damages. They must work quickly and accurately. They are also responsible for cleaning and maintaining their painting equipment.

Painter helper vs spray painter salary

Painter helpers and spray painters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Painter HelperSpray Painter
Average salary$32,449$40,155
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $48,000Between $24,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CitySouthampton, NYHicksville, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best paying companyCenergy International ServicesHarvey Building Products
Best paying industryEnergyAutomotive

Differences between painter helper and spray painter education

There are a few differences between a painter helper and a spray painter in terms of educational background:

Painter HelperSpray Painter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Painter helper vs spray painter demographics

Here are the differences between painter helpers' and spray painters' demographics:

Painter HelperSpray Painter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 84.1% Female, 15.9%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 35.4% Asian, 2.2% White, 47.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 28.5% Asian, 2.1% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between painter helper and spray painter duties and responsibilities

Painter helper example responsibilities.

  • Manage painting crews in both commercial and industrial environments from swing stage to high boom work.
  • Apply exterior caulking to building joints and seams, tape around windows and fixtures prior to painting walls.
  • Sand vehicle surfaces between coats of paint and primer in order to remove flaws and enhance adhesion for subsequent coats.
  • Apply paint and stencils to product per spec using high volume/low pressure sprayer.
  • Learned how to operate and maintain HVLP and pressure pot spray equipment during summer vacations.
  • Help painters, sandblasters set up maintain sand pods full keep a safe working area.
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Spray painter example responsibilities.

  • Replace, wood trim, windows, doors, and screen.
  • Sanitize work area wearing proper PPE
  • Paint various faux finishes, murals, etc.
  • Assemble doors, jambs and windows back into frames.
  • Prep including wall paper removal, sanding, drywall repairs, patching and caulking.
  • Mask off areas of the truck or miscellaneous parts that are not being paint.
  • Show more

Painter helper vs spray painter skills

Common painter helper skills
  • Safety Rules, 13%
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Painting Equipment, 9%
  • Hazardous Waste, 7%
  • Hazardous Materials, 6%
  • Surface Preparation, 5%
Common spray painter skills
  • Painting Equipment, 11%
  • Spray Guns, 9%
  • Coats, 8%
  • Paint Guns, 8%
  • Primer, 6%
  • Surface Preparation, 5%

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