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Aircraft Painter III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Aircraft Painter III in the United States is $63,315 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,641
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,021 to $68,720
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,201
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Aircraft Painter III Salaries

An Aircraft Painter III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Aircraft Painter III'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:

  • Aircraft Painter I (0-1 years): $44,671
  • Aircraft Painter II (1-3 years): $56,781
  • Aircraft Painter III (3-5 years): $63,315
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Aircraft Painter I0-1 years$44,671
Aircraft Painter II1-3 years$56,781
Aircraft Painter III3-5 years$63,315
View as Graph

How Do Aircraft Painter IIIs 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 Painter IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $70,102.
  • California: $69,836.
  • Massachusetts: $68,906.

Top Paying Cities for Aircraft Painter III

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: $79,859
  • San Francisco: $78,985
  • Oakland: $77,320

What Skills Can Increase an Aircraft 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%
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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 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 $72,812
15%
Taking Action $72,812
15%
Security Clearance $70,280
11%
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Aircraft Painter III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Aircraft Painter III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $70,797. While startup companies pay approximate $59,925.

Aircraft Painter III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $59,925
Growth Stage 51~500 $63,354
Established 501~5000 $68,378
Enterprise 5000+ $70,797

Aircraft Painter III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Aircraft 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 Painter positions in Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Aircraft Painter III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Aircraft Painter III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Transportation$75,978$37.020%

How Education impacts an Aircraft Painter III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Aircraft Painter III enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $62,827 and $65,079.

Aircraft Painter III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Aircraft 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 Painter III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Aircraft 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 August 01, 2026
$58,021
Average $63,315/year
$68,720
$4,835
Average $5,276/month
$5,727
$1,116
Average $1,218/week
$1,322
$28
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,720 $5,727 $1,322 $33
Average $63,315 $5,276 $1,218 $30
25th Percentile $58,021 $4,835 $1,116 $28

Most common benefits for Aircraft Painter III

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

Common company salaries for Aircraft Painter III

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

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FAQ about Aircraft Painter III

1. Where can an Aircraft Painter III earn the most?

An Aircraft Painter III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Aircraft Painter III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Aircraft Painter III is $79,859.

2. What is the highest pay for Aircraft Painter III?

The highest pay for Aircraft Painter III is $73,641.

3. What is the lowest pay for Aircraft Painter III?

The lowest pay for Aircraft Painter III is $53,201.

4. What are the responsibilities of Aircraft Painter III?

Applies pre-mixed and blended paint or coating to interior and exterior of assembled aircraft or parts. Prepares surfaces for painting and protects painted surfaces from erosion. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

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

The Transportation industry offers the highest average compensation for Aircraft Painter III roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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