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Auto Body Prepper Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Paint Prepper - Autobody Shop** ** ** We are seeking a meticulous and skilled Paint Prepper to join our team at our reputable autobody shop. As a Paint Prepper, you will play a crucial role in ...

Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ... Auto Body roles: Paint, Prep/Body work, Wheel Repair, Airbrush, Interior Repair, Glass Repair, and ...

Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ... Auto Body roles: Paint, Prep/Body work, Wheel Repair, Airbrush, Interior Repair, Glass Repair, and ...

Auto Body Prepper Inspector

Crete, IL · On-site

$19.50 - $21.50/hr

Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ... Auto Body roles: Paint, Prep/Body work, Wheel Repair, Airbrush, Interior Repair, Glass Repair, and ...

Auto Body Prepper Inspector

Joliet, IL · On-site

$19.50 - $21.50/hr

Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ... Auto Body roles: Paint, Prep/Body work, Wheel Repair, Airbrush, Interior Repair, Glass Repair, and ...

Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ... Auto Body roles: Paint, Prep/Body work, Wheel Repair, Airbrush, Interior Repair, Glass Repair, and ...

Auto Body Prepper Inspector

Crete, IL · On-site

$19.50 - $21.50/hr

Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ... Auto Body roles: Paint, Prep/Body work, Wheel Repair, Airbrush, Interior Repair, Glass Repair, and ...

Auto Body Paint Prepper

Van Nuys, CA · On-site

$40K - $60K/yr

Competitive, based on experience ($40,000 - $60,000 annually, plus benefits) We are looking for a dedicated Auto Body Paint Prepper to join our collision repair team. In this hands-on role, you'll ...

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

Auto Body Paint Prepper

Van Nuys, CA · On-site

$40K - $60K/yr

Competitive, based on experience ($40,000 - $60,000 annually, plus benefits) We are looking for a dedicated Auto Body Paint Prepper to join our collision repair team. In this hands-on role, you'll ...

Competitive, based on experience ($40,000 - $60,000 annually, plus benefits) We are looking for a dedicated Auto Body Paint Prepper to join our collision repair team. In this hands-on role, you'll ...

Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ... Auto Body roles: Paint, Prep/Body work, Wheel Repair, Airbrush, Interior Repair, Glass Repair, and ...

Automotive Body Shop Paint Prepper At Moyer Auto Group, we take pride in delivering high-quality work and treating our team like family. We're looking for a reliable, detail-oriented Paint Prepper to ...

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Auto Body Prepper information

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$12

$27

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How much do auto body prepper jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for auto body prepper in the United States is $27.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.95 and $31.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Auto Body Prepper job?

An Auto Body Prepper is responsible for preparing vehicles for painting by sanding, masking, priming, and cleaning surfaces. They ensure the bodywork is smooth and free of imperfections before paint application. Preppers work closely with painters and body technicians to maintain quality standards. Their role is essential in achieving a flawless finish and long-lasting paint job.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Auto Body Prepper position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Auto Body Prepper, you need solid knowledge of surface preparation techniques, sanding, masking, and the use of auto body repair tools and materials. Familiarity with paint mixing systems, spray equipment, and adherence to safety protocols such as OSHA standards or I-CAR certification is often required. Attention to detail, time management, and strong teamwork skills help you excel in a fast-paced repair shop environment. These abilities ensure high-quality finishes, safe practices, and efficient collaboration with painters and technicians, leading to successful project outcomes.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Auto Body Prepper?

As an Auto Body Prepper, your daily tasks primarily involve inspecting vehicles for damage, sanding and cleaning surfaces, masking off areas, and preparing panels for paint application. You may also mix and apply primers, handle minor bodywork, and assist the paint technicians in maintaining a clean and organized work area. Attention to detail is crucial, as proper preparation directly impacts the quality of the finished paint job. The role often requires continuous collaboration with painters, estimators, and other body shop team members to ensure each vehicle meets both safety and cosmetic standards.
What cities are hiring for Auto Body Prepper jobs? Cities with the most Auto Body Prepper job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Auto Body Prepper jobs? The most popular types of Auto Body Prepper jobs are:
What states have the most Auto Body Prepper jobs? States with the most job openings for Auto Body Prepper jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Auto Body Prepper jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Auto Body Prepper jobs are:
Infographic showing various Auto Body Prepper job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,455 per year, or $27.6 per hour.
Auto Body Prepper (2nd Shift)

Auto Body Prepper (2nd Shift)

Carvana

Wood Village, OR • On-site

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday


Carvana rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 259 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

198th of 712 rated retailers


Job description

We're looking for Auto Body Preppers with a minimum of 6 months of professional automotive prepping experience to join us at Carvana - the fastest-growing used automotive retailer in U.S. history and one of the four fastest companies to make the Fortune 500.
As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint, including sanding, masking, taping, bagging, unbagging/tear down, and buffing.
At Carvana, you'll receive a competitive wage and amazing perks - including a 401(k) with Carvana match and even a vehicle purchase discount - all while using state of the art tools in one of our high-tech Inspection Centers (click here to learn more). If you're joining us in an entry-level position, we offer training programs to make sure your skills and pay progress along with the company.


Other perks of the Job

  • 100% company-paid healthcare premiums
  • Generous paid-time off and your birthday is a holiday!
  • ASE and tool reimbursement programs
  • Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment

Schedule: 

We do everything we can to deliver an exceptional customer experience, and that includes delivering great vehicles when expected. If we're in a pinch, mandatory overtime is one way in which we can follow-through on this commitment to our customers. We're looking for team players who are all in on our mission and are able to work mandatory overtime based on our business needs. 


How To Get Started
Join the Carvana team by applying on this page, or call one of our recruiters by phone at (888) 690-7853, Monday through Friday, between 6 AM and 4 PM PT (9AM to 7PM ET).


Not a match for this role?
We have a variety of paint roles available, depending on your experience - look below to see other roles available to help us get our low-mileage, late-model cars ready for our customers:

  • Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork, including sanding, masking, taping, bagging, unbagging/tear down, and buffing
  • Entry-Level Painter (min 1 year professional experience): prime vehicles and perform final sanding before the vehicle is painted, along with buffing, touch-up, paint mixing, and airbrush.
  • Mid-Level Painter (min 3 years professional experience):  match/mix paint color and use water-based paint to paint the vehicle inside our paint booths
  • Experienced Painter (min 5 years professional experience): painting (base coats, tri-coats, solid, metallic, and clear coats), blending adjacent panels, and paint correcting vehicles.

We also have a variety of other automotive roles available in one of our 18 locations across the country - take a look at our Careers site to apply for one of the following roles:

  • Auto Body roles: Paint, Prep/Body work, Wheel Repair, Airbrush, Interior Repair, Glass Repair, and PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) roles
  • Auto Technician/Mechanic roles: Lube and Oil, Inspection, Brake and Tire, Mechanical Repair / Build, and Master Technician roles
  • Entry-Level roles: Detailing, Inventory Associate (Car Porters), Photo, Parts Associate, Inspection, and Coordinator/Administrator roles

General qualifications and requirements

  • Ability to physically operate vehicle equipment and tools - must be able to lift up to 60 pounds independently
  • Must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver's license. Some positions may be subject to an Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check
  • An ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing production environment while sometimes being exposed to excessive weather conditions (heat/cold)
  • Use of safety equipment that may include but not limited to face shield or goggles, non-slip shoes, gloves, mask, and other protective garments and equipment

About Carvana
At Carvana, we sell cars but we aren't car salesmen. Our promise is simple: we won't sell a car to a customer that we wouldn't sell to our own Mom. Period.
To make sure our cars are in first-rate condition, we've built multiple vehicle Reconditioning Centers around the country, where our cars are inspected, perfected, and photographed before reaching the Carvana website.
Think you've got what it takes to join our team? Apply today!
Carvana is an equal employment opportunity employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Carvana also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.
Hiring is contingent on passing a complete background check. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver's license. Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English.


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About Carvana

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Carvana, we sell cars, but we're not salespeople. Since 2013, we've been making it our mission to change the way people buy cars. We saw a huge problem with how much it can suck to buy a car the traditional way, so we committed ourselves to tackling one of the largest, yet-to-be-disrupted markets in the world - the $1T per year U.S. car market (yes, that's $Trillion with a "T").

Industry

Automobile dealers

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Tempe, AZ, US

Year founded

2011