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Paint Prepper Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Paint Prepper

Norfolk, VA ยท On-site

$17 - $19/hr

Applies paint to vehicle parts after repair work is complete. * Covers vehicle parts that do not require painting. * Buffs or cleans surfaces after paint dries. * Requests necessary materials.

Paint Prepper

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$100K/yr

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 ...

Paint Prepper

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$44K - $100K/yr

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 ...

Applies paint to vehicle parts after repair work is complete. * Covers vehicle parts that do not require painting. * Buffs or cleans surfaces after paint dries. * Requests necessary materials.

Paint Prepper

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$44K/yr

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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Showing results 1-20

Paint Prepper information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$17

$23

How much do paint prepper jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for paint prepper in Virginia is $17.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.72 and $19.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do body paint models get paid?

Body paint models typically earn between $50 and $200 per hour, depending on the event, location, and experience. Payment can also include photoshoots, promotional events, or artistic projects, with rates varying accordingly.

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.

How to be a paint prepper?

A paint prepper prepares surfaces for painting by cleaning, sanding, and repairing imperfections to ensure proper adhesion. They often use tools like sanders, scrapers, and cleaning agents, and may need safety equipment such as masks and gloves. Attention to detail and knowledge of surface materials are essential for quality results.

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 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.

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 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 jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

A paint prepper can earn around $3,000 a month with experience and consistent work, especially in industrial or commercial settings. Other jobs that typically pay this amount without a degree include commercial truck driving, HVAC technician, or skilled trades like welding, which often require technical training or certifications but not a college degree.

What kind of painters make the most money?

Experienced commercial and industrial painters tend to earn higher wages than residential painters due to the complexity and scale of their projects. Skilled painters with certifications, such as those trained in spray techniques or safety standards, often command higher pay. Additionally, those working in high-demand industries or with specialized tools can increase their earning potential.
What job categories do people searching Paint Prepper jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Paint Prepper jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Paint Prepper jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Paint Prepper job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Paint Prepper jobs in VA? For Paint Prepper jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Paint Prepper job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,962 per year, or $17.8 per hour.
Paint Prepper

$17 - $19/hr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Collision Center (Norfolk)
Location: 6252 Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, Virginia 23502
Summary: Responsible for assisting Painter in painting parts after body repair work is complete according to Collision Center guidelines.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
  • Assist Painter as needed.
  • Applies paint to vehicle parts after repair work is complete.
  • Covers vehicle parts that do not require painting.
  • Buffs or cleans surfaces after paint dries.
  • Requests necessary materials.
  • Assists with performing paint jobs efficiently and according to Collision Center guidelines.
  • Maintains CSI at or above Company standards
  • Maintains an organized, clean and safe work area
  • Participates in required training
  • Records all hours worked accurately in company timekeeping system
  • Follows Safeguards rules and regulations.
  • Demonstrates the Company's Core Values
  • Complies with Company policies and procedures
  • Observes all Federal, State, Local and Company safety rules and regulations in the performance of duties.
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with medical conditions to perform the essential functions.
The Painter Helper Position has a Pay Scale consisting of the following elements and ranges. Wages include Base Hourly Compensation of $17.00 - $19.00 . The position also may also pay a production bonus based on individual or team performance that may range from $0.00 (if baseline benchmarks are not met) without any fixed upper limit.
Desired Education:
o GED
โ€ข High School Diploma
o Associate Degree
o Bachelor Degree
o Master Degree
o Doctorate Degree
Field of Study/Work Experience:
o Accounting
o Automotive
o Business
o Human Resources
o Information Technology
Desired Work Experience:
โ€ข up to 3 years
o 3-5 years
o 5+ years
Education/Experience:
Previous experience in Collision Center Paint. Ability to operate equipment to perform painting functions.
Certificates and Licenses:
โ€ข Valid Driver's License
o Automobile Salesperson License
Computer Skills:
Basic Computer skills to utilize timekeeping system.
Communication Skills:
Ability to understand and follow instructions. Ability to communicate effectively with customers and company
personnel.
Attendance Expectations:
The position requires regular and predictable attendance. Scheduled shifts may include evening hours, weekends, and holidays.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must be able to lift up to 80 pounds. Must pass OSHA respiratory medical exam.
Environment Demands:
Duties are performed primarily in the body repair shop. Work includes frequent movement around vehicles in order to apply paint to various vehicle body parts. May be exposed to loud noise, vibration, paint-dust, paint fumes, and other body repair shop conditions.
Verbal and Writing Ability:
Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos.
Math Ability:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions. Ability to understand and follow technical manuals.
Core Values:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following Core Values:
Servant Leadership
Servant Leaders consciously put the needs of others before their own, because to serve people is to value them.
Teamwork through Trust & Respect
Diversity is strength, and when we trust and respect one another we can work as a team to achieve at a high level.
Integrity
Being honest and transparent with people, in an effort to do the right thing within the letter and spirit of the law, drives every action we take and every decision we make.
Commitment to Customer Enthusiasm
Every day we recommit ourselves to the customer experience, and we are empowered to exceed the expectations of our customers.
Passion for Winning
Hendrick's tradition of winning is based on the idea of striving to be the best, not the biggest, and is therefore defined by how we treat our people.
Accountability at All Levels
Taking ownership of our actions and our decisions allows us to grow as individuals, and support each other as a team.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Every day we soften our hearts as well as our egos, in order to seek out and improve upon areas of opportunity within ourselves and our team.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by this employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties and responsibilities upon the request of a supervisor. This job description is subject to revision at the discretion of the company.
Hendrick is an Equal Opportunity employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information regarding the EEOC, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf.