Last Updated: April 11, 2026

Updated: April 2025 | Hub: Services & Fitness Jobs | Positions: Auto Body Technician, Painter, Estimator, Shop Manager | Min Age: 18

Maaco Auto Body Application Guide (2025): How to Apply for a Job Online

Quick Answer: Maaco is America’s largest auto body and painting franchise with 500+ locations across the U.S. and Canada, all franchise-owned under Driven Brands. To apply, visit maaco.com/careers or search your local franchise on Indeed. Auto Body Technicians earn $18–$32/hr, Painters earn $16–$28/hr, Estimators earn $16–$24/hr, and Shop Managers earn $45,000–$65,000/yr. No automotive training is required for some entry-level positions. Maaco is an excellent entry point into the auto body industry with on-the-job training available for motivated candidates.

Maaco at a Glance

Founded: 1972, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Parent company: Driven Brands (also owns Midas, Take 5 Oil Change, CARSTAR)
Total Locations: 500+ in the U.S. and Canada
Model: 100% franchise-owned; franchise owners hire independently
Services: Auto body repair, painting, collision repair, rust repair, dent removal
Market position: Value-focused — known for affordable paint jobs ($300–$1,000+)
Glassdoor rating: 3.3 out of 5 stars

How to Apply at Maaco

Step 1: Find Your Local Maaco and Apply

Use the shop finder at maaco.com to locate your nearest franchise. Because Maaco is 100% franchise, each shop hires independently. You can apply through the corporate-linked careers page at maaco.com/careers (which routes to franchise postings), search “Maaco [your city]” on Indeed, or visit the shop directly. Direct walk-ins are effective at Maaco — franchise owners are often on-site and can interview you on the spot if they have an opening.

Step 2: Describe Your Technical Background

For technician and painter roles, describe any prior auto body experience, tools you own or can operate (spray guns, sanders, DA polishers), and any I-CAR or manufacturer certifications you hold. For estimator roles, experience with CCC ONE or Mitchell estimating software is a major differentiator. For entry-level positions with no experience, emphasize willingness to learn, reliability, and physical capability (standing for long hours, working with chemicals and equipment).

Step 3: Interview with Shop Owner

Maaco interviews are conducted by the franchise owner or shop manager — usually informal and skills-focused. Experienced technicians may receive a skills assessment reviewing their ability to prep and mask a vehicle for painting. Estimator candidates may be walked through an estimate scenario. Entry-level candidates are evaluated on work ethic and learning aptitude more than technical skill.

Maaco Pay Rates (2025)

Maaco Pay Rates by Position (2025)
Position	Starting Pay	Experienced Pay	Type
Entry-Level / Prep Technician	$14–$17/hr	$17–$20/hr	Full-time
Auto Body Technician	$18–$24/hr	$24–$32/hr	Full-time
Automotive Painter	$16–$22/hr	$22–$28/hr	Full-time
Damage Estimator	$16–$20/hr	$20–$28/hr	Full-time
Shop Manager	$45,000–$55,000/yr	$55,000–$68,000/yr	Salaried

Maaco Application Requirements

Minimum age: 18 for all positions.
Experience: Not required for entry-level prep positions. Mid-level and senior technicians/painters need 1–3+ years of hands-on auto body experience.
Certifications: I-CAR training is valued but not required for entry-level. ASE certification is beneficial for advanced technician roles. HVLP spray gun certification or equivalent painting experience preferred for painter positions.
Physical requirements: Must be able to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and work with chemical compounds (paints, primers, body fillers) in a shop environment with proper PPE.
Driver’s license: Valid driver’s license required for moving vehicles around the shop lot.

Benefits

Benefits vary by franchise owner — Maaco has no corporate-mandated benefit package. Ask about health insurance, retirement, and PTO during your interview.
On-the-job training: Most Maaco franchise owners provide hands-on training for entry-level prep techs willing to learn. Starting as a prep tech is the traditional entry point into auto body careers.
I-CAR training: Many franchise owners sponsor I-CAR certification courses (the industry standard for collision repair training) for promising employees.
Career pathway: Prep Tech → Body Technician → Painter → Estimator → Shop Manager — a clear progression available within Maaco or transferable to dealerships and independent shops paying $50,000–$80,000+/year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Maaco hire with no auto body experience?

Yes — Maaco actively hires prep technicians at the entry level with no prior auto body experience. Prep work involves sanding, masking, applying primer, and preparing vehicle surfaces before painting. It’s physical, detail-oriented work that franchise owners can train from scratch. Many Maaco painters and body technicians started as prep techs. If you’re mechanically inclined, willing to work hard, and want to enter the auto trades without a formal training program, a prep tech position at Maaco is one of the most accessible entry points in the industry.

Maaco Auto Body Application – Jobs, Pay & How to Apply