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Paint Prepper Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Crash Champions

Paint Prepper

Pinole, CA · On-site

$100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Remove grease, dirt, paint, or rust from vehicle surfaces in preparation for paint application, using abrasives, solvents, brushes, blowtorches, washing tanks, or sandblasters. * Assists painter in ...

Calvin Wayne Cox

Automotive Prepper

Exeter, CA

$22/hr

As an Automotive Prepper, you will be responsible for prepping vehicles surfaces for painting by ... They work closely with painters to achieve high-quality results If you have a "never give up ...

Calvin Wayne Cox

Automotive Prepper

Exeter, CA

$22/hr

As an Automotive Prepper, you will be responsible for prepping vehicles surfaces for painting by ... They work closely with painters to achieve high-quality results If you have a "never give up ...

Calvin Wayne Cox

Automotive Prepper

Exeter, CA · On-site

$22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

As an Automotive Prepper, you will be responsible for prepping vehicles surfaces for painting by ... They work closely with painters to achieve high-quality results If you have a "never give up ...

CSN Collision

Auto Body Paint Prepper

El Monte, CA

  • Medical

  • PTO

Position Summary We are looking for a skilled and detail-oriented Auto Body Paint Prepper to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have experience preparing vehicles for painting, including ...

CSN Collision

Auto Body Paint Prepper

South El Monte, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • PTO

Position Summary We are looking for a skilled and detail-oriented Auto Body Paint Prepper to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have experience preparing vehicles for painting, including ...

CSN Collision

Auto Body Paint Prepper

El Monte, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • PTO

Position Summary We are looking for a skilled and detail-oriented Auto Body Paint Prepper to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have experience preparing vehicles for painting, including ...

SlingShot Connections

Be Seen First

Paint Prep - Metal Fabrication

Fremont, CA · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

The Paint Prep role performs advanced paint preparation to achieve Class A, B, or C cosmetic finishes while ensuring parts meet company and customer specifications. We're looking for someone who: ● ...

Carvana

Auto Body Prepper

Rocklin, CA · On-site

$21 - $23/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Fusion Sign and Design

Paint Prep/Painter

Chino, CA · On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Paint helper/Prepper for an electrical sign company. Job Summary: The Paint Helper/Prepper is responsible for preparing sign components and surfaces for painting and assisting painters with their ...

Carvana

Automotive Painter

Tracy, CA · On-site

$22 - $26/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Carvana

Automotive Painter

Rocklin, CA

$22 - $26/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Carvana

Automotive Painter (2nd Shift)

Rocklin, CA · On-site

$22 - $26/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Carvana

Experienced Auto Painter - Rio Linda

Rio Linda, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

New

Carvana

Experienced Auto Painter - Rio Linda

Rio Linda, CA

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

New

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPaint Prepper JobsPaint Prepper Jobs in California

Paint Prepper information

See California salary details

$10

$17

$23

How much do paint prepper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for paint prepper in California is $17.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.67 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a paint prepper?

A paint prepper prepares a vehicle body or other surface for painting. In this career, your job duties include all aspects of preparation. Your responsibilities involve steps such as the removal of dirt from the surface and parts due for painting. You may sand, polish, retouch, buff, degrease, or otherwise clean the surface. You may also mix color, blend paint, and load paint into spray-painting equipment. A paint prepper may sometimes need to apply primer to the surface to prepare and protect it until the painters perform their job.

What does a paint prepper do?

A Paint Prepper is responsible for preparing surfaces on vehicles or other items before they are painted. This includes tasks such as sanding, masking, cleaning, and sometimes applying primer to ensure the paint adheres properly and results in a smooth, flawless finish. Paint Preppers work closely with painters and follow strict safety and quality guidelines. Their work is essential in achieving a professional and durable paint job, especially in automotive collision repair and manufacturing settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a paint prepper, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Paint Prepper, you need a solid understanding of surface preparation techniques, attention to detail, and knowledge of safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with sanding tools, masking materials, chemical cleaners, and sometimes automotive paint systems is important. Strong organizational skills, reliability, and the ability to work efficiently in team settings help individuals stand out in this role. These skills are crucial to ensure high-quality paint finishes, workplace safety, and efficient workflow in automotive or industrial environments.

What are some common challenges paint preppers face when preparing vehicles for painting, and how can they be managed?

Paint Preppers often encounter challenges such as identifying and removing hidden contaminants, achieving smooth surface finishes, and working efficiently under tight deadlines. Managing these challenges involves maintaining strict attention to detail during cleaning and sanding, using the proper tools and materials for each surface, and communicating closely with painters and body technicians to ensure all imperfections are addressed before painting. Staying organized and following standard operating procedures also helps minimize errors and rework, leading to better results and a smoother workflow.

What is the difference between Paint Prepper vs Painter?

AspectPaint PrepperPainter
CertificationsOSHA safety training, basic painting prep certificationsOSHA safety training, advanced painting certifications
Work EnvironmentPreparation areas, workshops, industrial sitesPainting surfaces, construction sites, residential and commercial buildings
Job ResponsibilitiesSurface cleaning, sanding, masking, primingApplying paint, finishing coats, touch-ups

Paint Prepper primarily focuses on surface preparation tasks to ensure quality paint application, while Painters execute the actual painting process. Both roles often work together but require different skill sets and certifications. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus within the painting industry.

How much does a paint prepper make a year?

A paint prepper typically earns between $30,000 and $45,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the work. Skilled prepper roles that require certifications or specialized tools may offer higher wages. The job often involves working in industrial or automotive environments with safety protocols.
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Paint Prepper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Paint Prepper job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,793 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

Paint Prepper

Crash Champions

Pinole, CA • On-site

$100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 6 days ago

Crash Champions rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 93 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

169th of 369 rated vehicle maintenance

Job description

Champions Do More

As one of the fastest-growing and most exciting brands in the industry, Crash Champions is the largest founder-led multi-shop operator (MSO) of high-quality collision repair service in the U.S. The company, which also operates the growing Crash Champions LUXE | EV Certified brand of highline and luxury EV repair centers, services customers at more than 650 state-of-the-art locations in 38 states across the U.S. Crash Champions was founded in 1999 as a single Chicago repair center by industry veteran and 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Midwest award winner Matt Ebert. For more than 25 years, our vision has been anchored by the belief that delivering superior collision repair service is about People First. Welcome to Crash Champions. We Champion People. 

Responsibilities
  • Remove grease, dirt, paint, or rust from vehicle surfaces in preparation for paint application, using abrasives, solvents, brushes, blowtorches, washing tanks, or sandblasters.
  • Assists painter in pre-paint blending needs.
  • Works with paint team to assist in keeping vehicle on track for scheduled delivery time.
  • Fill small dents or scratches with body fillers and smooth surfaces to prepare vehicles for painting.
  • Buff and wax the finished paintwork.
  • Disassemble, clean, and reassemble sprayers and power equipment, using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths for cleaning duties.
Qualifications
  • Prior experience in vehicle paint process.
  • I-CAR certifications preferred.
  • Ability to receive directions and work well with others.
  • Must be able to pass thorough background check.
Benefits

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements and annual updates:

  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • 401k Retirement Plan with match
  • Referral Bonus ("Cash From Crash")
  • 5 Paid Holidays

We are committed to providing competitive compensation for this role. The actual offer will be based on various factors, including but not limited to: job related knowledge, skills, experience, relevant certifications and qualifications.

This position is paid on a commission/ flag rate structure. Flag pay is guaranteed to meet local minimum wage requirements for all hours worked each week. The compensation range listed is the average flag pay range for a typical full-time employee in this position.

The compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Posted Min Pay RateUSD $45,960.00/Yr.Posted Max Pay RateUSD $100,000.00/Yr.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

What Crash Champions employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Crash Champions

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Founded in 1999, and based in Chicago, IL, Crash Champions, LLC ("Crash Champions"or the"Company") is the fifth largest independent collision repair chain in the United States, with an established presence in 17 states- and formal direct repair program ("DRP") relationships with most leading insurance carriers. The Company is led by founder and CEO Matt Ebert, who maintains an impressive track record of both organic and acquisition growth. As an acquiror of choice with a value-added capital partner, Crash Champions is expected to grow from a multi-regional business into a nationally recognized provider of collision repair services. Based upon the current pipeline of acquisitions and greenfield openings.

Industry

Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts wholesalers

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Westmont, IL, US

Year founded

1999

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