Vehicle spray painter

paint sprayer paint technician
Bookmark
Garage services
Produce

Career outlook for vehicle spray painter

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£19,000

Experienced

£30,000


Currently employed in Scotland

Information is unavailable

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would apply the right colour and finish to cars and other vehicles to cover repairs or remove scratches and minor damage.

You’d make sure that the newly-painted areas match the rest of the car so people cannot see the difference.

You would:

  • Set up the spray equipment
  • Mix paint by eye or using computer technology to ensure the best colour match
  • Clean and prepare the surfaces to be painted
  • Mask areas that are not going to be painted
  • Apply coats of primer
  • Apply the main paint, followed by the finish
  • Check finished jobs as part of quality control
  • Clean and maintain spray equipment
  • Treat vehicles with rust-proofing chemicals.

You’d use specialist equipment like a manual spray gun or automated equipment. You’d need to follow strict safety procedures for using hazardous materials, and be careful not to contaminate the work area.

The type of vehicles you'd work on could include light vehicles like cars, vans and motorcycles or heavy vehicles like lorries, trucks, buses and coaches.

You'd need to maintain the quality of your work under pressure.

Working conditions

Hours

Environment

UK employment status

Full-time

82%

Part-time

0%

Self employed

18%

Create a qualification route

We've found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.

Discover my route

Search course options

Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.

Find courses

Search job opportunities

If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.

Find a job

Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Listening
  • Resourceful
  • Observation
  • Attention to detail
  • Implementing ideas

Skills Explorer

Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.

Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.

Use the Skills Explorer tool

Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

 Many people enter through a Modern Apprenticeship.

You do not need formal qualifications to enter this job but many employers look for a good general education (SCQF level 4-5) to enter an Modern Apprenticeship. 

You may have to pass an aptitude and/or colour visions test when applying to enter Modern Apprenticeship jobs.

There may be a medical test as any breathing problems you may have could be affected by paint fumes.

Once in a Modern Apprenticeship you will work towards relevant qualifications such as the Scottish Vocational Qualification in Automotive, Vehicle Paintwork Repair ( SVQ Level 2/3).

Useful subjects

  • Maths
  • English
  • Science subjects
  • Technologies subjects such as practical metalwork

Helpful to have

Qualifications that show physical fitness/strength and practical skills such as Skills for Work Automotive Skills (SCQF level 4).