Jobs › Carvana

Mid-Level Auto Painter

Carvana · University Park, IL · $23.00–$30.00 an hour · Reconditioning

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about your three years of painting experience. What kinds of jobs did you do most?

What they are checking: Whether they meet the experience level and can speak about it honestly.

Tell me about a time you had to redo a paint job. What happened?

What they are checking: Whether they are honest about mistakes and learn from them.

What would you do

What do you do if your color match looks off after the first coat?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and correct the problem instead of hoping it blends out.

How do you keep quality up when you're asked to paint many cars in a shift?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold the standard in a production paint shop.

Overtime can be mandatory here. How does that fit with your life?

What they are checking: Whether they can commit to the schedule demands named in the posting.

About the work

Walk me through how you mix and match a paint color for a car.

What they are checking: Whether they can read codes, use a mixing system and check the match before spraying.

What's different about spraying water-based paint compared to solvent-based?

What they are checking: Whether they know about flash times, airflow and humidity that affect waterborne systems.

How do you prep a panel before it goes into the booth?

What they are checking: Whether they know prep makes or breaks the finish, from sanding to cleaning and masking.

How do you set up your spray gun, and how do you know it's right?

What they are checking: Whether they know pressure, fan pattern and test sprays that control finish quality.

What safety equipment do you wear in the booth, and why?

What they are checking: Whether they take respiratory and skin protection seriously.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Carvana from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Carvana.

We’re looking for Auto Painters with a minimum of 3 years of professional automotive painting experience to join us at Carvana - the fastest-growing used automotive retailer in U.S. history and one of the four fastest companies to make the Fortune 500. As a Mid-Level Painter, you’ll be expected  to match/mix paint color and use water-based paint to paint the vehicle inside our paint booths.  At Carvana, you’ll receive a competitive wage and amazing perks – including a 401(k) with Carvana match and even a vehicle purchase discount – all while using state of the art tools in one of our high-tech Inspection Centers ( click here to learn more). If you’re joining us in an entry-level position, we offer training programs to make sure your skills and pay progress along with the company. Pay Range: $23 - $30 Hourly Other perks of the Job • 100% company-paid healthcare premiums • Generous paid-time off and your birthday is a holiday! • ASE and tool reimbursement programs • Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment   Schedule:  We do everything we can to deliver an exceptional customer experience, and that includes delivering great vehicles when expected. If we're in a pinch, mandatory overtime is one way in which we can follow-through on this commitment to our customers. We're looking for team players who are all in on our mission and are able to work mandatory overtime based on our business needs.  How To Get Started Join the Carvana team by applying on this page , or call one of our recruiters by phone at (888) 690-7853 , Monday through Friday, between 6 AM and 4 PM PT (9AM to 7PM ET). Not a match for this role? We have a variety of paint roles available, depending on your experience - look below to see other roles available to help us get our low-mileage, late-model cars ready for our customers: • Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork, including sanding, masking, taping, bagging, unbagging/tear down, and buffing • Entry-Level Painter (min 1 year professional experience): prime vehicles and perform final sanding before the vehicle is painted, along with buffing, touch-up, paint mixing, and airbrush. • Mid-Level Painter (min 3 years professional experience):  match/mix paint color and use water-based paint to paint the vehicle inside our paint booths • Experienced Painter (min 5 years professional experience): painting (base coats, tri-coats, solid, metallic, and clear coats), blending adjacent panels, and paint correcting vehicles. We also have a variety of other automotive roles available in one of our 18 locations across the country – take a look at our Careers site to apply for one of the following roles: • Auto Body roles: Paint, Prep/Body work, Wheel Repair, Airbrush, Interior Repair, Glass Repair, and PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) roles • Auto Technician/Mechanic roles:  Lube and Oil, Inspection, Brake and Tire, Mechanical Repair / Build, and Master Technician roles • Entry-Level roles: Detailing, Inventory Associate (Car Porters), Photo, Parts Associate, Inspection, and Coordinator/Administrator roles General qualifications and requirements • Ability to physically operate vehicle equipment and tools - must be able to lift up to 60 pounds independently • Must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. Some positions may be subject to an Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check • An ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing production environment while sometimes being exposed to excessive weather conditions (heat/cold) • Use of safety equipment that may include but not limited to face shield or goggles, non-slip shoes, gloves, mask, and other protective garments and equipment About Carvana At Carvana, we sell cars but we aren’t car salesmen. Our promise is simple: we won’t sell a car to a customer that we wouldn’t sell to our own Mom. Period. To make sure our cars are in first-rate condition, we’ve built multiple vehicle Reconditioning Centers around the country, where our cars are inspected, perfected, and photographed before reaching the Carvana website. Think you’ve got what it takes to join our team? Apply today! Carvana is an equal employment opportunity employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Carvana also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Hiring is contingent on passing a complete background check. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English.

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