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Aircraft Painter Salary in California

How much does an Aircraft Painter make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Painter in California is $63,136 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,149
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,706 to $68,377
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,761
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Aircraft Painter Job Openings in California

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 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): $60,096
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $60,273
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $62,044
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $63,864
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,592
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Aircraft Painter less than 1 year $60,096
Early Career Level Aircraft Painter 1-2 years $60,273
Mid-Level Level Aircraft Painter 2-4 years $62,044
Senior-Level Level Aircraft Painter 5-8 years $63,864
Expert Level Aircraft Painter over 8 years $64,592

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:

  • Los Angeles: $63,245
  • West Hollywood: $63,199
  • Dodgertown: $63,244

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 $94,704 $46.0 50%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$57,706
Average $63,136/year
$68,377
$4,809
Average $5,261/month
$5,698
$1,110
Average $1,214/week
$1,315
$28
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,377 $5,698 $1,315 $33
Average $63,136 $5,261 $1,214 $30
25th Percentile $57,706 $4,809 $1,110 $28

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.

  • US Department of Defense | Travis Afb, CA

    SHEET METAL MECHANIC

    US Department of Defense | Travis Afb, CA

    Sheet Metal Mechanic (Aircraft/Painter)This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. ARTs are part of the regular career civil service and enjoy all th... more

    4 Days Ago

  • US Government Jobs | Travis Afb, CA

    SHEET METAL MECHANIC

    US Government Jobs | Travis Afb, CA

    Job Title. Plan, lay out, fabricate, modify, repair, assemble, install complex aircraft Sheet metal parts, items, assemblies that have combined straight, c... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Aramark | BARRY SQUARE, CT

    Painter

    Aramark | BARRY SQUARE, CT

    As a Painter I at ARAMARK, you will support facility appearance and safety across our accommodation and food service environments. You will prepare and fin... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Global Medical Response | NICHOLS HILLS, OK

    Aircraft Maintenance Technician

    Global Medical Response | NICHOLS HILLS, OK

    Join Global Medical Response (GMR), a leader in emergency medical transportation, as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician. Be part of a dedicated team commit... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Guardian Flight | PEARL, MS

    Aircraft Maintenance Technician

    Guardian Flight | PEARL, MS

    Guardian Flight, a leader in air medical transportation, is seeking a skilled Aircraft Maintenance Technician to join our dedicated team. This role is cruc... more

    1 Day Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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