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Production Painter I Salary in the United States

How much does a Production Painter I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Production Painter I in the United States is $44,671 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a Production Painter I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $52,435
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,816 to $48,735
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,217
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Production Painter I Salaries

A Production Painter I'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 Production Painter I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Production Painter I'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:

  • Production Painter I (0-1 years): $44,671
  • Production Painter II (1-3 years): $48,952
  • Production Painter III (3-5 years): $57,468
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Production Painter I0-1 years$44,671
Production Painter II1-3 years$48,952
Production Painter III3-5 years$57,468
View as Graph

How Do Production Painter Is 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 Production Painter Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $49,460.
  • California: $49,272.
  • Massachusetts: $48,615.

Top Paying Cities for Production Painter I

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: $56,344
  • San Francisco: $55,727
  • Oakland: $54,552

What Skills Can Increase a Production Painter I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.47% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Regulatory Compliance (Mentioned in 4.23% Job Postings): Monitoring strict adherence of all organizational processes and procedures to applicable laws and regulations.
  • Lean Manufacturing (Mentioned in 0.91% Job Postings): Lean manufacturing or lean production is a systematic method originating in the Japanese manufacturing industry for the minimization of waste (無駄, muda) within a manufacturing system without sacrificing productivity, which can cause problems. Lean also takes into account waste created through overburden (無理, muri) and unevenness in work loads (斑, mura). Working from the perspective of the client who consumes a product or service, "value" is any action or process that a customer would be willing to pay for.[citation needed] Lean manufacturing attempts to make obvious what adds value, through reducing everything else (because it is not adding value). This management philosophy is derived mostly from the Toyota Production System (TPS) and identified as "lean" only in the 1990s.[page needed], TPS is renowned for its focus on reduction of the original Toyota seven wastes to improve overall customer value, but there are varying perspectives on how this is best achieved. The steady growth of Toyota, from a small company to the world's largest automaker, has focused attention on how it has achieved this success.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.47%
Regulatory Compliance 4.23%
Lean Manufacturing 0.91%
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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 a Production Painter I's salary.

  • Installation: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Installation $52,265
17%
Leadership $48,691
9%
Decision Making $48,245
8%
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Production Painter I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Production Painter I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $50,007. While startup companies pay approximate $42,304.

Production Painter I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $42,304
Growth Stage 51~500 $44,742
Established 501~5000 $48,290
Enterprise 5000+ $50,007

Production Painter I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Production Painter I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Production Painter positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Production Painter I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Production Painter I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$58,072$28.030%
Energy & Utilities$55,839$27.025%
Insurance$53,605$26.020%
Software & Networking$53,605$26.020%
Aerospace & Defense$51,372$25.015%

How Education impacts an Production Painter I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Production Painter I 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 Production Painter I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $39,405 and $41,469.

Production Painter I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Production Painter I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.7%
High School 76.9%
Associates 7.7%
Bachelors 7.7%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Production Painter I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Production Painter I'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
$41,816
Average $44,671/year
$48,735
$3,485
Average $3,723/month
$4,061
$804
Average $859/week
$937
$20
Average $21/hour
$23
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $48,735 $4,061 $937 $23
Average $44,671 $3,723 $859 $21
25th Percentile $41,816 $3,485 $804 $20

Production Painter I Salary Growth & Career Path

Production Painter I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Production Painter I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aircraft Painter II $56,781 27%
Production Painter II $48,952 10%

Most common benefits for Production Painter I

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

Common company salaries for Production Painter I

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

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FAQ about Production Painter I

1. Where can a Production Painter I earn the most?

A Production Painter I'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, a Production Painter I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Production Painter I is $56,344.

2. What is the highest pay for Production Painter I?

The highest pay for Production Painter I is $52,435.

3. What is the lowest pay for Production Painter I?

The lowest pay for Production Painter I is $39,217.

4. What are the responsibilities of Production Painter I?

Operates a spray painter or other equipment to apply industrial paint finishes on metals or products. Mixes paints and other solutions and monitors drying to ensure desired results. Completes finishing with baking, polishing or other materials. Follows all required safety procedures. May paint items by hand as needed. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to supervisor/manager. May require an apprenticeship and/or formal training in area of specialty. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Production Painter I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Production Painter I roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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