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Aircraft Painter Salary in the United States

How much does an Aircraft Painter make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Painter in the United States is $57,240 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, an Aircraft Painter's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $66,318
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,317 to $61,992
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,835
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Aircraft Painter Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Aircraft Painter Salaries

An Aircraft Painter's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Aircraft Painter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Aircraft Painter's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $54,484
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,645
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $56,250
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $57,900
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,560
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Aircraft Painter less than 1 year $54,484
Early Career Level Aircraft Painter 1-2 years $54,645
Mid-Level Level Aircraft Painter 2-4 years $56,250
Senior-Level Level Aircraft Painter 5-8 years $57,900
Expert Level Aircraft Painter over 8 years $58,560

How Do Aircraft Painter Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Aircraft Painters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $63,377.
  • California: $63,136.
  • Massachusetts: $62,295.

Top Paying Cities for Aircraft Painter

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $72,197
  • San Francisco: $71,407
  • Oakland: $69,902

Aircraft Painter Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aircraft Painter roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Aerospace & Defense, offers compensation 50% above the average. Conversely, Aircraft Painter positions in Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Aircraft Painter as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Aircraft Painter

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $85,861 $41.0 50%

How Education impacts an Aircraft Painter's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Aircraft Painter professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Aircraft Painter with a high school is between $53,216 and $57,231.

Aircraft Painter Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Aircraft Painter
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 77.8%
High School 77.8%
Associate's Degree 22.2%
Bachelor's Degree 0%
Master's Degree or MBA 0%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Aircraft Painter Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Aircraft Painter's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$52,317
Average $57,240/year
$61,992
$4,360
Average $4,770/month
$5,166
$1,006
Average $1,101/week
$1,192
$25
Average $28/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,992 $5,166 $1,192 $30
Average $57,240 $4,770 $1,101 $28
25th Percentile $52,317 $4,360 $1,006 $25

Most common benefits for Aircraft Painter

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Aircraft Painter

Here are companies hiring for Aircraft Painter and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Aircraft Painter Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Aircraft Painter job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Ohio | Columbus, OH

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    Ohio | Columbus, OH

    100% Remote - Ohio Neuro Teleradiology JobClinical Role. Do you know someone that might be a good fit for this position. Please ask about our generous refe... more

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    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

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  • OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    Ultrasonographer

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could... more

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FAQ about Aircraft Painter

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Aircraft Painter?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Aircraft Painter roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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