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Paint Prepper Jobs in Philadelphia, PA (NOW HIRING)

Tamco Collision Inc

Detailer / paint prepper

Norwood, PA · On-site

$16 - $25/hr

This position is responsible for pre-washing vehicles for repair, sanding & polishing paint, final clean and wash for delivery. In addition help with buffing, and installing trim and cosmetic parts ...

Tamco Collision Inc

Detailer / paint prepper

Norwood, PA · On-site

$16 - $25/hr

This position is responsible for pre-washing vehicles for repair, sanding & polishing paint, final clean and wash for delivery. In addition help with buffing, and installing trim and cosmetic parts ...

Carvana

Automotive Prepper - 2nd Shift

Delanco, NJ

$20 - $23/hr

As a Painter, you'll be expected to prime vehicles and perform final sanding before the vehicle is painted , along with buffing, touch-up, paint mixing, and airbrush. At Carvana, you'll receive a ...

Carvana

Automotive Prepper - 2nd Shift

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

As a Painter, you'll be expected to prime vehicles and perform final sanding before the vehicle is painted , along with buffing, touch-up, paint mixing, and airbrush. At Carvana, you'll receive a ...

Carvana

Automotive Prepper - 2nd Shift

Delanco, NJ · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

As a Painter, you'll be expected to prime vehicles and perform final sanding before the vehicle is painted , along with buffing, touch-up, paint mixing, and airbrush. At Carvana, you'll receive a ...

Carvana

Automotive Prepper - 2nd Shift

Delanco, NJ · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

As a Painter, you'll be expected to prime vehicles and perform final sanding before the vehicle is painted , along with buffing, touch-up, paint mixing, and airbrush. At Carvana, you'll receive a ...

Carvana

Automotive Prepper - 2nd Shift

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

As a Painter, you'll be expected to prime vehicles and perform final sanding before the vehicle is painted , along with buffing, touch-up, paint mixing, and airbrush. At Carvana, you'll receive a ...

Wastequip

Paint Prep Tech

Erial, NJ

$20.68/hr

Wastequip is recruiting for a Paint Prep in our Erial, NJ location, who cleans, grinds, and sands surfaces of component and or finished raw product prior to painting. Hourly Pay : $20.68 Shift Hours ...

Wastequip

Paint Prep Tech

Erial, NJ · On-site

$20.68/hr

Wastequip is recruiting for a Paint Prep in our Erial, NJ location, who cleans, grinds, and sands surfaces of component and or finished raw product prior to painting. Hourly Pay : $20.68 Shift Hours ...

Carvana

Automotive Cosmetic Inspector

Delanco, NJ

$17 - $19/hr

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

Head Combo Autobody Tech

Delanco, NJ · On-site

$29 - $36/hr

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

Senior Combo Body Technician

Delanco, NJ · On-site

$29 - $36/hr

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 ...

Pro Team Collision

Auto Body Painter

King Of Prussia, PA · On-site

... paint production management, prepper management, material management, booth maintenance management, quality assurance, and positive attitude. We strive for excellence in everything we do at Pro Team ...

Carvana

Automotive Cosmetic Inspector

Mount Laurel, NJ

$17 - $19/hr

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 Cosmetic Inspector

Camden, NJ · On-site

$17 - $19/hr

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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All JobsPaint Prepper JobsPaint Prepper Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

Paint Prepper information

See Philadelphia, PA salary details

$10

$18

$24

How much do paint prepper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for paint prepper in Philadelphia, PA is $18.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.01 and $19.42 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 $50,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the projects. Skilled prep workers with certifications or specialized tools may earn higher wages, especially in industrial or commercial settings.
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Paint Prepper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Paint Prepper job openings in Philadelphia, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,620 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

Painting Prepper - Industrial Painting

Riverton, NJ

HireSource Solutions
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about HireSource Solutionsexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Industrial Paint Prepper - Temp to Perm
 
This position offers stability, growth potential, a very positive work environment within a stable, well-established-yet-growing family-owned industrial company in South Jersey.   It is a 'temp-to-perm' position. You must be able to work on-site as far as your regular weekly schedule.  
 
 
IMPORTANT!! - If you are qualified for the position and interested in pursuing it, please answer the questions posed at the end of the description and send me your resume.  
Overview
Job Summary
This position reports to the Paint Department Supervisor. The ideal candidate should have previous experience in the field. Must be able to work in a paint suit and mask.
Responsibilities
Accident Prevention: Actively identify, correct, and/or report safety hazards to prevent accidents.
Efficiency: Actively identify and pursue cost reduction and efficiency/profit improvement opportunities.
Quality Control: Support the company's Quality Management System and internal quality policies calling for self-inspection of your work product.
Surface Preparation: Wash units to remove dirt, oil, grease, and debris from painted surfaces.
Defect Repair: Locate and remove imperfections on panels prior to painting. Treat scratched and chipped areas with proper products.
Masking: Apply paper and tape to protect unpainted surfaces and other parts while surrounding areas are spray-painted.
Sanding: Smooth unmasked surfaces with sandpaper removing gloss from previous coats of paint. Sand rough spots.
Finishing: After the unit is painted, remove masking tape and clean the finished surfaces.
Physical Demands: Lifting production objects of up to 50 lbs.
Safety & Compliance: Must be able to fulfill essential job functions in a consistent state of alertness and safe manner.

Requirements:
The candidate should posses 2-5 years of prepping experience in an industrial environment (i.e. manufacturing, automotive, etc.)  
IMPORTANT - IF INTERESTED AND QUALIFIED PLEASE ANSWER THE BELOW QUESTIONS AND SEND ME YOUR RESUME
1.        Why are you looking for a new position?
2.        Are you open to working Full Time on a temp-to-perm basis?  
3.         Are you open to commuting to the Delran / Cinnaminson area?  This role does require working on-site every day, M-F.
 
 
Please send your resume & answers to the above questions to:
  sharper@hire-source.com 
  sharper(at)hire-source(dot)com
  
  Your resume will be held with strict confidence and will NEVER be forwarded to any of our clients without your permission.
 
  If you are NOT interested or unqualified, please send us a referral. This is an immediate and urgent need for our valued client and therefore, we are offering a $1000.00 refer-a-friend fee to anyone who leads us to a candidate who is hired for this position.
 
  MORE JOBS??
 
  www.hire-source.com/listings.html