How to hire a vehicle painter

How to hire a vehicle painter, step by step

Here's a step-by-step vehicle painter hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the vehicle painter you need to hire. Certain vehicle painter 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

   Hiring the perfect vehicle painter also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of vehicle painters and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Vehicle Painter	Description	Hourly rate
   Vehicle Painter	Painting and coating workers paint and coat, often with machines, a wide range of products, including cars, jewelry, and ceramics.	$12-26
   Auto Body Painter	An auto body painter is a trained professional who specializes in applying paint and finishing to the exterior of vehicles such as cars, buses, and trucks. Their job entails understanding the project requirements, preparing the necessary paint and materials, filling scratches to smoothen surfaces, utilizing spray guns and other equipment, and adhering to goals and deadlines... Show more	$12-24
   Painter	Painters are skilled professionals who handle the painting needs of clients. They work closely with their clients to ensure that they will be able to do what is expected of them... Show more	$14-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Mask

   Responsibilities:

   • Prepared/Paint LPG tanks prepared/paint heater treaters prepared/paint oil-filled holding tanks prepared/paint separators
   • Operate compressors, sandblasters and spray equipment.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your vehicle painter job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A vehicle painter can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, vehicle painters' average salary in georgia is 39% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level vehicle painters 55% less than senior-level vehicle painters.
   • Certifications. A vehicle painter with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a vehicle painter's salary.

   Average vehicle painter salary

   $37,714yearly

   $18.13 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level vehicle painter salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a vehicle painter job description

   A good vehicle painter job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a vehicle painter job description:

   Vehicle painter job description example

   Apply now "
   
   Painter I-Horton Emergency Vehicles
   
   Date: Oct 14, 2022
   
   Location:
   
   Grove City, OH, US, 43123
   
   Company: REV Group, Inc.
   
   Work Hours: Mon-Thu 5a-3:30p, 30 min lunch
   
   Additional Locations:
   
   
   Since 1968 Horton Emergency Vehicles has built the industry's most innovative ambulances for first responders risking their lives to save others. Horton designs, manufactures, and delivers the highest-quality, most tailor-made ambulances the market has to offer.
   
   Horton Emergency Vehicles is part of the larger REV Group (NYSE: REVG), a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles for the fire & emergency, commercial, and recreation markets. REV Group's extensive vehicle line-up includes models such as ambulances, fire trucks, school buses, terminal trucks, RV's, luxury buses, and much more. Our 6,500+ employees continuously demonstrate their commitment to building innovative and reliable vehicles that our customers can depend on whether for a family trip across the U.S. or when responding to an emergency. Rev Group is a veteran friendly employer and hires over 200 veterans and or those transferring out of the military each year.
   
   Apply sub-coatings and finish coatings to all metal components and finished product. Fulfill all painting requirements to include from parts painting to complete vehicle paint, both in solid and metallic colors. Mix all products according to specifications. Check all painted materials for proper surface condition and proper paint preparations and repair as required.
   
   Responsibilities:
   
   * Set work priorities to meet production goals as scheduled per assigned department.
   * Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those in contact on a day to day basis.
   * Meet minimum standards of safety per assigned department.
   * Perform spot-in repairs.
   * Sand paint finish and use compounds and operate polisher.
   * Mix coatings with thinner and catalyst to correct mixture, using color mixture equipment.
   * Apply coatings with all types of spray equipment to meet coverage and gloss standards. Be able to correct errors in application of all types of coatings.
   * Paint the parts and understand the acceptable quality of finish.
   * Clean and inspect parts prior to painting.
   * Follow all procedures for a quality, lasting paint finish.
   * Be able to mix and spray all products used.
   * Follow hazardous waste disposal program and fire prevention procedures.
   * Keep equipment and working area clean.
   * Ensure that hazardous waste that is handled is placed into the proper container(s).
   * Familiar with Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan.
   
   The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and you may be required to undertake other responsibilities and/or training as requested by your line manager.
   
   Requirements (education, experience, travel, physical, work environment):
   
   * Ability to read, write, comprehend, and verbally communicate simple instructions, short correspondence and memos
   * Ability to read and use measuring devices.
   * Ability to run dual action sanders, grinders and miscellaneous hand tools.
   * Able to read and interpret shop orders to determine the color required.
   * Able to determine the proper surface condition for acceptance of paint and prepare if required.
   * Must have full knowledge of quality requirements to produce acceptable finish paint.
   * Must have general knowledge of OSHA and EPA standards.
   * Be trained in Hazardous Materials Handling Operations with an annual refresher course.
   * Close attention to detail
   * Function with a minimal amount of supervision or no supervision.
   * Set work priorities to meet production goals as scheduled per assigned department.
   * Able to learn how to mix primers and other paint products.
   
   Physical Demands:
   
   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Other physical requirements include:
   
   * Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 40#'s without assistance.
   * Ability to work from various squatting, kneeling or bending positions.
   * Ability to work with arms above head.
   * Ability to work from ladders or scaffolding.
   * Ability to stand at a workstation for ten hours a day (minus specified breaks.)
   * Ability to perform all operations within acceptable quality and time standards.
   * Ability to safely use specified hand, air, power tools, and machinery.
   * Ability to operate and understand the operation of all protective safety equipment in the area.
   * Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
   * Required to handle and dispose of hazardous waste.
   * Ability to work in 105-degree heat for excess of ten (10) hours per day.
   * Ability to work in noisy and dusty conditions.
   
   Work Environment:
   
   The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
   
   The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.
   
   The noise level in the work environment is elevated.
   
   Personal Protective Equipment Recommended and/or Required:
   
   * Safety glasses, or prescription safety glasses with side shields
   * Face shields
   * Ear plugs
   * Work Gloves
   * Protective disposable suite when necessary
   * Respirator when required for hazardous materials
   * Fall protection
   
   Steel Toe Shoes
   
   REV Group is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. The Company conducts all employment practices without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran's status, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by law. REV Group also undertakes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunities for minorities and women, for persons with disabilities, and for protected veterans.
   
   NOTICE FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS
   
   Effective January 1, 2020, pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (as amended, the "CCPA"), if you are a California resident, you may have certain additional rights. Please click on the link for a description of those rights and how California residents may exercise them.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right vehicle painter for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with vehicle painters they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit vehicle painters who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your vehicle painter job on Zippia to find and recruit vehicle painter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit vehicle painters, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 vehicle painter

   Once you've found the vehicle painter 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.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new vehicle painter. 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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