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Ship Painter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$17.25 - $23.50/hr

Painting Contract Supervisor Location ... Newport News, VA (Huntington Ingalls Shipyard) Mills Marine A growing ship repair company focused ...

Painter

National City, CA

$23.50 - $28.25/hr

Painter Journeymen - Shipyard (San Diego, CA) Lead Marine San Diego, CA, USA Full Time Lead Marine ... Surfaces include parts, equipment, interiors, and exteriors of ships, and boats using brushes ...

MARINE PAINTER EXPERIENCED Location: Newport News, Virginia, United States Date: Aug 25, 2026 Req ... Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple ...

MARINE PAINTER EXPERIENCED Location: Newport News, Virginia, United States Date: Aug 25, 2026 Req ... Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple ...

Painter 2/C

Panama City, FL · On-site

$16.25 - $22/hr

Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc. reserves the right to increase, waive or reduce these minimal ... Prepare work site; transport paint, tools, materials, and equipment to job site as needed.

Marine Painter

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Performs application and removal of various paint coatings on ships and non-nuclear components, interior/exterior surface ships preservation per NAVSEA Standard Item (009-32). LOCATION: Norfolk, VA ...

MARINE PAINTER EXPERIENCED Location: Newport News, Virginia, United States Date: Aug 25, 2026 Req ... Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple ...

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Ship Painter information

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How much do ship painter jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for ship painter in the United States is $21.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a ship painter?

A Ship Painter is responsible for preparing and painting ships to protect them from corrosion and enhance their appearance. Duties include cleaning and sanding surfaces, applying primers and coatings, and using spray guns or brushes. Ship Painters work in shipyards, docks, or onboard vessels, often in challenging conditions. Attention to detail, knowledge of protective coatings, and safety awareness are essential for this role.

What does a ship painter do?

A typical day for a Ship Painter involves tasks such as preparing ship surfaces by cleaning, sanding, or blasting, followed by the application of primers, paints, and protective coatings using brushes, rollers, or spray equipment. You may work indoors in shipyards or outdoors on dry docks, often as part of a larger crew alongside welders, fabricators, and supervisors. Coordination and safety are key, as you’ll follow detailed instructions and adhere to safety protocols, especially when working in confined spaces or at heights. The work can be physically demanding but offers a sense of achievement as you directly impact a vessel’s appearance and longevity. Many Ship Painters use this role as a stepping stone to more specialized positions or supervisory roles within the maritime industry.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a ship painter?

To excel as a Ship Painter, you need a strong understanding of surface preparation, knowledge of various paint types, and experience with spray-painting equipment, often gained through vocational training or apprenticeship. Familiarity with protective coatings, safety protocols, and potentially certifications like OSHA or confined space entry are common technical requirements. Attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to work well as part of a team are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities help ensure high-quality, durable finishes that protect vessels and contribute to efficient, safe shipyard operations.

How to become a ship painter?

To become a ship painter, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and relevant training in surface preparation, painting techniques, and safety procedures. Many ship painters learn through apprenticeships or on-the-job training, and obtaining certifications such as OSHA safety training can improve employment prospects.
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Infographic showing various Ship Painter job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,051 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

2nd Class Brush & Roll Painter

Newport News, VA

MILLS MARINE & SHIP REPAIR LLC
Ship and Boat Building • 11 - 50 employees

$16.50 - $22.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Position: Marine Painter 2nd Class intermediate Marine Painter
Job Type: Full-time
Reports to: Painting Contract Supervisor
Location: Newport News, VA (Huntington Ingalls Shipyard)
Mills Marine
A growing ship repair company focused on repairing and building ships to support the Military's Mission. We are committed to providing Safe, Quality and Process Driven services for our customers in the ship new construction and repair.
Position Summary
Qualified intermediate-level preservation mechanic capable of independently performing routine surface preparation, containment, brush-and-roll painting, material mixing, spray support, and pump-operation duties with limited supervision.
What will you Do?
PUMP OPERATOR:
• Inspect and set up pumps, hoses, fittings, filters, tips, guards, suction equipment, and material stations.
• Verify product information and follow coating mixing, induction-time, pot-life, and thinner requirements.
• Mix and strain coatings, prime the pump, monitor pressure and cycling, maintain communication with the Sprayer, and track material levels.
• Recognize and correct common pressure, suction, blockage, leak, filter, tip, and material-delivery problems within qualification.
• Depressurize, flush, clean, and store pumps, hoses, guns, and related equipment.
BRUSH AND ROLL:
• Apply approved primers and coatings using brushes and rollers.
• Perform stripe coating on welds, edges, corners, bolts, stiffeners, and irregular surfaces.
• Select proper brushes, rollers, extension handles, containers, and application techniques.
• Maintain even coverage while avoiding runs, sags, lap marks, holidays, contamination, and excess coating buildup.
• Perform touch-up and repair work and recognize obvious preparation or coating defects.
LABORER / PREPARATION:
• Wrap and mask equipment and adjacent surfaces, build and remove containment, manually move materials and equipment, scrape, sand, feather, clean, vacuum, handle spray hoses, support mixing and staging, maintain housekeeping, and dispose of waste correctly.
Qualifications
Ability to read and write effectively.
High school diploma or equivalent preferred
Minimum of 1 year experience direct work as a marine painter
Marine Pump operator experience preferred
Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Strong attention to detail and commitment to workplace safety.
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
Lift and carry up to 60 pounds.
Ability to work in confined spaces.
Continuous visual awareness and mental focus.
Ability to work 8-12-hour shifts.
Availability to work 5-7 days per week, including overtime as needed.
Employment Requirements
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening.
Required physical examination and respirator fit testing.
Subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
Background check, including verification of the past seven years of employment history.
Benefits
At Mills Marine, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We offer a competitive compensation package based on experience, along with industry-leading benefits that support you and your family.
Benefits Include
Competitive pay based on experience
Paid vacation accrual
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Company-paid life and accidental death insurance
Optional life and disability insurance
Legal Resource Benefit
401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
Full-time, long-term employment opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer
Mills Marine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.
Proud V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) Certified Employer is proud to be a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer committed to hiring talented individuals who value safety, teamwork, and excellence. If you're dependable, safety-focused, and ready to work in a fast-paced shipyard environment, we encourage you to apply.