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Aircraft Parts Painter III Salary in the United States

How much does an Aircraft Parts Painter III make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Parts Painter III in the United States is $63,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,716
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,100 to $68,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,275
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Aircraft Parts Painter III Salaries

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

How Do Aircraft Parts Painter III 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 Parts Painter IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $70,200.
  • California: $69,900.
  • Massachusetts: $69,000.

Top Paying Cities for Aircraft Parts Painter IIIs

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: $79,900
  • San Francisco: $79,100
  • Oakland: $77,400

What Skills Can Increase an Aircraft Parts Painter III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.49% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 3.88% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
  • Lean (Mentioned in 2.91% Job Postings): Lean manufacturing, or lean production, is a system of techniques and activities for running a manufacturing or service operation.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.49%
Continuous Improvement 3.88%
Lean 2.91%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Aircraft Parts Painter III's salary.

  • Employee Health and Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Taking Action: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Security Clearance: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Employee Health and Safety $72,910
15%
Taking Action $72,910
15%
Security Clearance $70,374
11%
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Aircraft Parts Painter III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Aircraft Parts Painter III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $70,670. While startup companies pay approximate $59,881.

Aircraft Parts Painter III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $59,881
Growth Stage 51~500 $63,288
Established 501~5000 $68,252
Enterprise 5000+ $70,670

Aircraft Parts Painter III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aircraft Parts Painter III roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Transportation, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Aircraft Parts Painter positions in Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Aircraft Parts Painter III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Aircraft Parts Painter III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Transportation$76,080$37.020%

How Education impacts an Aircraft Parts Painter III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Aircraft Parts Painter IIIs enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Parts Painter III with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $62,324 and $64,378).

Aircraft Parts Painter III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Aircraft Parts Painter III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.5%
High School 63.6%
Associates 13.6%
Bachelors 4.5%
Masters 9.1%
Doctorate 4.5%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Aircraft Parts Painter III'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.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$58,100
Average $63,400/year
$68,800
$4,842
Average $5,283/month
$5,733
$1,117
Average $1,219/week
$1,323
$28
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,800 $5,733 $1,323 $33
Average $63,400 $5,283 $1,219 $30
25th Percentile $58,100 $4,842 $1,117 $28

Most common benefits for Aircraft Parts Painter III

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

Common company salaries for Aircraft Parts Painter III

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

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FAQ about Aircraft Parts Painter III

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

The Transportation industry offers the highest average compensation for Aircraft Parts Painter III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does a painter make a day?

An Aircraft Parts Painter typically earns between $61,300 and $71,000 annually. This translates to a daily wage of approximately $236 to $274, assuming a standard work year. The salary can vary based on experience and location, but these figures provide a general idea of daily earnings in this profession.

3. How much do people who make airplane parts make?

Aircraft Parts Painters typically earn between $61,300 and $71,000 annually, with a median salary of around $64,500. While some cities like San Francisco and Santa Clara offer higher salaries in the aircraft manufacturing sector, the average pay for this role remains within the specified range.

4. What is the highest paid painter?

The highest paid Aircraft Parts Painter earns a maximum salary of $71,000. In comparison, the minimum salary for this role is $61,300, while the mid-range salary is $64,500. This reflects the specialized skills and expertise required in the aviation industry, highlighting the value placed on quality workmanship in aircraft maintenance.

5. How much does Lockheed Martin pay aircraft painters?

Lockheed Martin pays aircraft painters an average salary ranging from $61,300 to $71,000 per year. The midpoint salary is approximately $64,500. This compensation reflects the skills and experience required for the role, aligning with industry standards for aircraft parts painters.

6. What is the highest paying aircraft job?

While pilots are among the highest-paid in aviation, another well-compensated role is that of an Aircraft Parts Painter. The salary for this position ranges from a minimum of $61,300 to a mid-range of $64,500, with a maximum salary reaching $71,000. This reflects the specialized skills required in the aviation industry.

7. What is the highest pay for painters?

In 2023, Aircraft Parts Painters earned a median salary of $64,500. The highest pay reached up to $71,000, while the lowest was $61,300. This indicates a significant earning potential in this specialized field compared to general painters.

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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