Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Using precise hand and finger movements to control tools, equipment, or materials.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
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.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Overall employment of painting and coating workers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 16,100 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 continue to limit opportunities for these workers in some manufacturing establishments. Painting and Coating Workers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Painting workers 2% Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders 2% Painting, coating, and decorating workers 1% Production occupations 0% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Painting and Coating Workers Do
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
Work Environment
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders held about 164,800 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders were as follows:
| Fabricated metal product manufacturing | 21% |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 17 |
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | 15 |
| Machinery manufacturing | 8 |
| Furniture and related product manufacturing | 3 |
Painting, coating, and decorating workers held about 8,200 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of painting, coating, and decorating workers were as follows:
| Miscellaneous manufacturing | 12% |
| Fabricated metal product manufacturing | 9 |
| Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing | 6 |
| Furniture and related product manufacturing | 4 |
| Self-employed workers | 4 |
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.
Work Schedules
Most painting and coating workers are employed full time.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. 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.
More Information
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.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.