### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Painting and Coating Workers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			painting and coating workers imagePainting and coating workers paint many different surfaces.							
						Quick Facts:     Painting and Coating Workers2023     Median Pay
            						$45,340     per year
										$21.80     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    See How to Become OneWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    185,900Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    1,000What Painting and Coating Workers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Painting and coating workers apply finishes, often using machines, to a range of products.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most painting and coating workers are employed full time. They frequently stand for long periods in specially ventilated areas.
            
                                                How to Become a Painting and Coating Worker
                                                
                        
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.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders was $45,560 in May 2023.									                                														The median annual wage for painting, coating, and decorating workers was $40,230 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for painting and coating workers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of painting and coating workers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about painting and coating workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Painting and Coating Workers Do 
            

			Painting and coating workersPainters 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 areasPainting 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
			Painting and coating workersWorkers wear masks, gloves, and other protective  equipment.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 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
                16Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair
                14Machinery manufacturing
                7Furniture and related product manufacturing
                4Painting, 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
                11Self-employed workers
                10Furniture and related product manufacturing
                7Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair
                5Painting 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.
 How to Become a Painting and Coating Worker

			Painting and coating workersPainting 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.
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.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                        Painting and Coating WorkersMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders$45,560  Painting workers$45,340  Production occupations$43,630  Painting, coating, and decorating workers$40,230Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders was $45,560 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $66,390.The median annual wage for painting, coating, and decorating workers was $40,230 in May 2023. 


The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,660, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59,160.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Transportation equipment manufacturing
                $50,650Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair
                48,910Machinery manufacturing
                45,530Fabricated metal product manufacturing
                40,320Furniture and related product manufacturing
                40,160In May 2023, the median annual wages for painting, coating, and decorating workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair
                $48,100Furniture and related product manufacturing
                39,360Fabricated metal product manufacturing
                38,030Miscellaneous manufacturing
                36,800Automotive painters in repair shops may receive a bonus or commission in addition to their wages.
Most painting and coating workers are employed full time.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                       Painting and Coating WorkersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Painting workers1%  Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders1%  Painting, coating, and decorating workers0%  Production occupations-3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			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.
			

                        Employment projections data for     painting and coating workers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Painting workers**
			51-9120
			185,900
			186,900
			1
			1,000
			Get data**Painting, coating, and decorating workers**
			51-9123
			13,500
			13,500
			0
			0
			Get data**Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders**
			51-9124
			172,400
			173,400
			1
			1,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders
					Painting, coating, and decorating workers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 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
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**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
            $48,450**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
            $47,700**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
            $44,880
 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 servicesFor a directory of certified automotive painting programs, visit
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersPainting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Painting and Coating Workers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/painting-and-coating-workers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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