Career comparison
Auto Body Technician vs. Painter
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Auto body technicians earn more at the median ($54,890 vs. $49,400), while painters usually get to work faster (1–6 months on the job of training). Auto body technicians repair and restore vehicles after collisions, from dents and frames to paint. Painters prepare and paint walls, trim, buildings and structures for protection and a clean finish.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Auto Body Technician | Painter | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $54,890 ($26.39/hr) | $49,400 ($23.75/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,910 – $87,940 | $37,440 – $78,810 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.7% (about as fast as average) | +3.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 12,600 | 24,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 6 months–2 years | 1–6 months on the job |
| Key credential | I-CAR training and Platinum recognition | EPA RRP Certified Renovator |
| Work setting | Technicians work in collision repair shops and dealerships with lifts, frame machines and paint booths. | Painters work indoors and outdoors in homes, offices, schools, factories and on bridges and tanks. |
What each job does
Auto Body Technician
- Inspect damage and review repair estimates
- Remove and replace damaged panels and parts
- Repair dents and reshape metal
- Measure and straighten frames and unibodies
- Weld and bond steel and aluminum components
Painter
- Protect floors, furniture and fixtures before work starts
- Wash, scrape, sand and patch surfaces
- Caulk gaps and apply primer
- Apply paint and coatings with brushes, rollers and sprayers
- Mix and match colors and finishes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, indoor work, working independently, and creative work. They sit in different fields, mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing and skilled trades & construction, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose auto body technician if…
- I like fixing things and seeing the results
- I have a good eye for shape and detail
- I don’t mind dust and noise
Choose painter if…
- I like making spaces look clean and finished
- I’m patient with careful prep work
- I’m comfortable on ladders
Still torn? Take the Auto Body Technician fit quiz and the Painter fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, auto body technician or painter?
Auto Body Technicians earn more at the median: $54,890 versus $49,400 for painters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Painters typically train faster (1–6 months on the job) than auto body technicians (6 months–2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects auto body technicians to grow +3.7% from 2025–35, compared with +3.0% for painters.