Auto Body Technician
Repair and restore vehicles after collisions, from dents and frames to paint.
- $54,890
- 6 months–2 years
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Industrial Painter
Also called: Spray Painter · Coating Operator · Powder Coater · Paint Line Operator
What industrial painters do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an industrial painter do?
Coating, painting and spraying machine setters, operators and tenders set up, operate or tend machines to coat or paint products such as furniture, glass, automobiles and machinery. The median pay is $48,250 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +2.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$48,250$23.20/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.5%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year15,300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs164,800Employment, 2025
What industrial painters do
Industrial painters protect and finish products. They prep surfaces, mask parts, run spray guns and automated paint lines, apply powder coat and liquid coatings, cure parts in ovens and check film thickness and appearance.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Prep surfaces
- Mask parts
- Mix coatings
- Spray paint
- Run powder coating
- Cure parts
- Inspect finishes
Work environment and schedule
Painters work in spray booths and paint lines.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Check the booth.
- Mix paint.
- Hang parts.
- Spray coat.
See a full day in the life of an industrial painter →
Industrial Painter salary
Half of industrial painters earned more than $48,250 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,260 for the lowest 10% to $74,730 for the top 10%.
Full industrial painter pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an industrial painter
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn prep and masking
- Learn spraying
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an industrial painter →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Spray technique
- Surface prep
- Powder coating
- Coating mixing
- Film thickness measurement
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Patience
- Safety focus
- Reliability
All industrial painter skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Average growth
- Skill builds
- Many industries
Cons
- Fumes
- PPE all day
- Repetitive
- Heat from ovens
Certifications and licenses
- PCI powder coating training: Powder Coating Institute.
- Respirator fit test: Required.
- AMPP coating training: Helpful.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Painter: Spray.
- Lead Painter: Lead.
- Finishing Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Industrial Painter training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as spray an even coat and measure dry film thickness, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Painter
Prepare and paint walls, trim, buildings and structures for protection and a clean finish.
- $49,400
- 1–6 months on the job
Product Decorator
Paint, print and decorate products like ceramics, signs and toys.
- $41,600
- A few months on the job
Plating Operator
Coat metal parts with chrome, nickel, zinc or other finishes in chemical baths.
- $43,960
- A few months on the job
Compare: Industrial Painter vs. Auto Body Tech · Industrial Painter vs. Painter · Industrial Painter vs. Product Decorator · Industrial Painter vs. Plating Operator
Industrial Painter FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
Is PPE required?
Yes, respirators and suits.
How much does an industrial painter make?
The median annual wage for industrial painters was $48,250 ($23.20 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,260 and the highest 10% earned more than $74,730.
How long does it take to become an industrial painter?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be an industrial painter?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More industrial painter questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9124 (Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.