1

Painter Helper Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM (NOW HIRING)

Automotive Detailer - Day Shift

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

Car Dealership Detailer

Corrales, NM

$14 - $16.75/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

General Labor - Car Detailing

Rio Rancho, NM

$13.50 - $16.25/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

Car Dealership Detailer

Rio Rancho, NM

$13.50 - $16.25/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

Car Detailer

Corrales, NM

$14 - $17.25/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

Car Detailer

Albuquerque, NM

$13.75 - $17/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

Automotive Detailer - Day Shift

Albuquerque, NM

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

Automobile Detailer

Albuquerque, NM

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

Automotive Detailer - Day Shift

Albuquerque, NM

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

Automotive Detailer

Albuquerque, NM

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

Car Detailer

Kirtland Air Force Base, NM

$14 - $17.25/hr

... paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase. Why CarMax?

next page

Showing results 1-20

Painter Helper information

See Rio Rancho, NM salary details

$10

$15

$21

How much do painter helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for painter helper in Rio Rancho, NM is $15.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.09 and $17.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Painter Helper, you need basic knowledge of paint preparation, surface cleaning, and safety procedures, typically supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with tools such as sanders, scrapers, and ladders, as well as adherence to safety guidelines like OSHA standards, is important. Attention to detail, reliability, and strong teamwork skills help Painter Helpers support lead painters efficiently. These abilities ensure high-quality results, a safe work environment, and smooth collaboration on painting projects.

What is the difference between Painter Helper vs Painter?

AspectPainter HelperPainter
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma; apprenticeship or vocational training often required
Work EnvironmentAssist painters on construction sites, residential, or commercial projectsPerform painting tasks independently or under supervision in similar environments
Job ResponsibilitiesPrepare surfaces, hold materials, clean tools, assist with paintingApply paint, stain, or coatings; surface preparation; finishing work

The main difference between a Painter Helper and a Painter is that the Helper assists with preparatory and support tasks, while the Painter performs the actual painting and finishing work. Helpers gain experience and skills to advance to Painter roles, making this a common entry point in the painting industry.

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. Mastering specialized skills, certifications, and working in high-demand sectors can also increase earning potential for painter helpers and journeymen. Salary varies based on location, experience, and the type of painting work performed.

What does a painter's helper do?

A painter's helper assists painters by preparing surfaces, mixing paints, cleaning tools, and setting up equipment. They often perform basic tasks under supervision and may need to use safety gear and follow safety protocols in the work environment.

What are painter helpers?

Painter helpers are workers who assist painters by preparing surfaces, gathering and moving materials, setting up equipment, and cleaning up job sites. They may sand or scrape surfaces, mask off areas to protect them from paint, mix paints, and help with the application process under the supervision of experienced painters. Painter helpers play a critical role in ensuring painting projects run smoothly and efficiently, supporting both residential and commercial painting tasks.

What are some common challenges faced by Painter Helpers on the job, and how can they be managed?

Painter Helpers often encounter challenges such as working in confined or elevated spaces, exposure to paint fumes, and managing physical tasks like sanding, taping, or carrying supplies. To manage these, it's important to use proper personal protective equipment (PPE), follow safety protocols, and maintain effective communication with the lead painter and team members. Being proactive in preparing surfaces and organizing materials can also help streamline workflow and minimize on-the-job issues.

What Does a Painter Helper Do?

A painter helper assists painters, stucco masons, and plasterers with a wide variety of tasks to help complete a project quickly and efficiently. As a painter helper, your typical duties involve applying plaster, removing old paint, and preparing the work area. You may also pour chemical solutions into stripping tanks and use power tools to clear surfaces before painting or plastering them. To become a painter helper, you typically only need relevant work experience, such as on-the-job training under the supervision of a more experienced painter. Some employers may also require a high school diploma or GED certificate and the completion of a formal training program in painting. Additional qualifications include mechanical skills to use power tools like buffers and sanders, attention to detail for mixing and matching paint colors, and the ability to execute written and oral instructions.

What is a painter's hourly rate?

The hourly rate for a painter helper typically ranges from $12 to $20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the job. Entry-level helpers may earn less, while experienced workers or those in high-cost areas can earn more. Rates may also vary based on whether the work is part-time or full-time and if additional skills or certifications are involved.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A painter helper typically earns less than $10,000 a month; high earnings in painting or related trades usually require experience, specialization, or working on large projects. Jobs that can reach $10,000 monthly without a degree often include skilled trades like commercial or industrial painting, where overtime, union wages, or project-based pay can increase income. However, such high earnings are uncommon and often depend on location, skill level, and the scale of projects undertaken.
What are the most commonly searched types of Painter jobs in Rio Rancho, NM? The most popular types of Painter jobs in Rio Rancho, NM are:
What are popular job titles related to Painter Helper jobs in Rio Rancho, NM? For Painter Helper jobs in Rio Rancho, NM, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Rio Rancho, NM are hiring for Painter Helper jobs? Cities near Rio Rancho, NM with the most Painter Helper job openings:
Automotive Detailer - Day Shift

Automotive Detailer - Day Shift

CarMax, Inc.

Albuquerque, NM • On-site

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


CarMax rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 367 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 715 rated retailers


Job description

7194 - Albuquerque - 5500 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87113
CarMax, the way your career should be!
Position Overview
As a Cosmetic Reconditioning Associate II at CarMax, you'll play a vital role in delivering best-in-class vehicles to our customers. You will perform cosmetic inspections, final quality checks, and advanced reconditioning tasks such as paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing. Your work ensures every CarMax vehicle meets our high standards for quality and appearance, helping customers feel confident in their purchase.
Why CarMax?
At CarMax, we are the nation's largest retailer of used cars with stores from coast to coast, and we are still growing. We're rethinking the way people buy cars - and our associates help us do just that. We believe work should feel meaningful and rewarding, with opportunities to make an impact every day. Whether you're advancing your career or growing your skillset, we are here to drive you forward.
Role Responsibilities
  • Execute standardized cosmetic reconditioning processes at an established pace to maintain efficiency and quality.
  • Perform advanced cosmetic repairs including paint touch-up, wet sanding, and buffing to restore vehicles to CarMax standards.
  • Complete cosmetic and final quality inspections to ensure vehicles meet customer-ready standards.
  • Identify defects and determine the best repair methods for optimal results.
  • Support auction preparation and assist with vehicle movement on and off the lot.
  • Deliver exceptional customer service, collaborate with team members to achieve goals, support auction preparation, and assist with vehicle movement on and off the lot
  • Follow CarMax Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) requirements and maintain a clean and orderly work area.

Required Qualifications
  • Completion of all CarMax training programs, including online and hands-on modules.
  • Ability to read, interpret, and record data accurately for inventory and quality control.
  • Skilled in performing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
  • Capable of lifting up to 50 lbs and performing manual tasks for extended periods.
  • Strong communication skills for interacting with customers and team members.
  • Willingness to work in indoor and outdoor conditions, including inclement weather.

About CarMax
At CarMax, we revolutionized the used car buying experience over 30 years ago by introducing transparency and integrity into the process. Our commitment to customer experience, innovation, and community has made us the nation's largest used car retailer. With over 250 store locations and over 30,000 associates, we are proud to have been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® and are committed to helping our communities thrive.
As an associate, you are part of an innovative movement to empower the modern customer and drive progress. Your work fuels change-sparking ideas, overcoming challenges, and shaping what's next. Join us in creating a better future- for our company, our customers, and the communities we call home.
CarMax is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Upon an applicant's request, CarMax will consider reasonable accommodation to complete the CarMax Job Application.

What CarMax employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom