Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers

Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.
Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.

Important Qualities

Artistic ability. Some painting and coating workers make elaborate or decorative designs.

Color vision. Workers must be able to blend new paint colors in order to match existing colors on a surface.

Mechanical skills. Workers must be able to operate and maintain sprayers that apply paints and coatings.

Physical stamina. Workers may have to squat or bend frequently and stand for extended periods.

Physical strength. Workers may need to lift heavy objects. Some products that are painted or coated may weigh more than 50 pounds.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		81%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		68%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		65%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		61%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		56%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		56%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		55%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		53%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		52%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		51%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		100%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		66%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		63%	Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
		60%	Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
		56%	Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.

Inspect finishes of workpieces or finished products.

Operate painting or coating equipment.

Clean production equipment.

Maintain production or processing equipment.

Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.

Clean workpieces or finished products.

Load items into ovens or furnaces.

Select production input materials.

Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.

Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production.

Melt metal, plastic, or other materials to prepare for production.

Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces.

Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions.

Cut fabrics.

Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces.

Attach decorative or functional accessories to products.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		94%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		85%	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
		75%	Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
		74%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		73%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		71%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		71%	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
		70%	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
		69%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		67%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		66%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		60%	Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
		60%	Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing?
		58%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		56%	Exposed to Hazardous Conditions - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
		55%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		52%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		79%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		78%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		70%	Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		66%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		64%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		64%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		63%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		60%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		59%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		57%	Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
		56%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		52%	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

What Painting and Coating Workers Do

Painters use spray guns to apply paints and coatings in factories.

Painting and coating workers apply finishes, often using machines, to products such as cars, jewelry, and ceramics.

Duties

Painting and coating workers typically do the following:

Set up and operate machines that paint or coat products
Select the paint or coating needed for the job
Clean and prepare products to be painted or coated
Determine the required flow of paint and the quality of the coating
Apply paint or coating
Measure the thickness of paint or coating material applied
Clean and maintain tools, equipment, and work areas

Painting and coating workers apply paint, varnish, rustproofing, or other types of liquid treatments to finish and protect products. They often use machines to spread the liquid over large surfaces but may use handtools on small items or hard-to-reach surfaces.

Before workers apply the paint or other coating, they prepare the surface by sanding or cleaning it to prevent dust from becoming trapped under the paint. They also may cover portions of the product with tape and paper to prevent the paint or coating from touching those areas.

After the product is prepared, workers may use a number of techniques to apply the paint or coating. Common techniques include spraying products with paint or coating and dipping items in a large vat of paint or other coating. Many factories use automated painting systems. Workers may measure the paint thickness using a coating thickness gauge or painter meter.

The following are examples of types of painting and coating workers:

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders use spraying or rolling machines to apply lacquer, enamel, or other coatings to a variety of products, such as cars, boats, and glassware. These workers position the spray guns, set the nozzles, and synchronize the action of the guns with the speed of the conveyor carrying products through the machine. During the process, they program the machine, tend the equipment, watch gauges on the control panel, and check products to ensure that they are being painted evenly. The operator may use a manual spray gun to touch up flaws.

Painting, coating, and decorating workers use manual spray guns, pens, or brushes to apply various coatings to furniture, glass, pottery, toys, books, and other products. They also may immerse pieces into the liquid and place the coated items into ovens or dryers to harden the finishes. In addition, these workers examine products to be sure that they meet specifications.

For information about workers who paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structures, see the profile on construction and maintenance painters.

Work Environment

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders held about 172,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders were as follows:

Fabricated metal product manufacturing	17%
Transportation equipment manufacturing	16
Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair	14
Machinery manufacturing	7
Furniture and related product manufacturing	4

Painting, coating, and decorating workers held about 13,500 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of painting, coating, and decorating workers were as follows:

Fabricated metal product manufacturing	12%
Miscellaneous manufacturing	11
Self-employed workers	10
Furniture and related product manufacturing	7
Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair	5

Painting and coating is usually done in specially ventilated areas. Workers wear masks or respirators to protect themselves from inhaling microscopic particles or harmful chemicals. They also may wear gloves and other protective equipment to shield their skin and clothing.

Painting and coating workers often stand for long periods. They also may have to bend, stoop, or crouch in uncomfortable positions to reach different parts of the products they work on.

Injuries and Illnesses

Painting, coating, and decorating workers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Hazards include muscle strains and exposure to toxic materials. Factories have installed sophisticated paint booths and fresh-air ventilation systems to create a safe work environment.

Work Schedules

Most painting and coating workers are employed full time.

Getting Started

Education:

59%

Less than a High School Diploma

21%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

How to Become a Painting and Coating Worker

Painting and coating workers can usually become proficient in less than 1 year.

Painting and coating workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation. New workers usually train on the job for several months to attain competency.

Education

Painting and coating workers usually need a high school diploma or equivalent for entry-level positions. However, some employers hire candidates who do not have formal educational credentials.

Some automotive painters attend vocational-technical programs in which they receive practical instruction in mixing and applying different types of paint.

Training

To attain competency, painting and coating workers typically receive on-the-job training. Sometimes this training lasts only a few days, but it usually lasts several months.

Workers who operate computer-controlled equipment may require additional training in computer programming.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of painting and coating workers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.

Despite limited employment growth, about 16,700 openings for painting and coating workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Many consumer, commercial, and industrial products require painting and coating services, such as in automotive paint repair or detailing. However, automation is expected to limit opportunities for these workers in some manufacturing establishments.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about job opportunities for painting and coating workers, visit

Local manufacturers
Automotive body repair shops
Motor vehicle dealers
Vocational schools
Local unions representing painting and coating workers
Local offices of state employment services

For a directory of certified automotive painting programs, visit

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of painting and coating workers.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Automotive Body and Glass Repairers	Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.	High school diploma or equivalent	$47,270
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	Painters apply paint, stain, and coatings to walls and ceilings, buildings, large machinery and equipment, and bridges and other structures.	No formal educational credential	$46,090
Metal and Plastic Machine Workers	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces.	See How to Become One	$41,060

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers

Painting and Coating Worker

What they do:

On the job, you would: