Occupational Outlook Handbook > Production >

Painting and Coating Workers

Summary
What They Do
Work Environment
How to Become One
Pay
Job Outlook
State & Area Data
Similar Occupations
More Info

Summary

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Quick Facts: Painting and Coating Workers
2018 Median Pay	$36,810 per year $17.70 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education	See How to Become One
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Moderate-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2018	163,100
Job Outlook, 2018-28	2% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2018-28	2,700

What Painting and Coating Workers Do

Painting and coating workers paint and coat a wide range of products, often with the use of machines.

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

Most painting and coating workers learn on the job after earning a high school diploma or equivalent. Training for new workers usually lasts several months.

Pay

The median annual wage for painting and coating workers was $36,810 in May 2018.

Job Outlook

Employment of painting and coating workers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2018 to 2028, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by specialty and industry.

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 About this section

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

Painting and coating workers paint and coat a wide range of products, including cars, jewelry, and ceramics, often with the use of machines.

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
Clean and maintain tools, equipment, and work areas

Painting and coating workers paint items ranging from cars to furniture. They apply paint, varnish, rustproofing, or other types of liquid applications to make a product more attractive and protect it from the elements. The paint finish on an automobile, for example, makes the vehicle more attractive and provides protection from corrosion.

Before workers begin to apply the paint or other coating, they often prepare the surface by sanding or cleaning it carefully to prevent dust from becoming trapped under the paint. Workers also may mask or cover portions of the product with tape and paper before painting the product.

After the product is prepared, workers may use a number of techniques to apply the paint or coating. A common technique is dipping an item in a large vat of paint or some other coating. Spraying products with paint or another coating is also common. Many factories use automated painting systems.

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

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders 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, these workers 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 apply coatings to furniture, glass, pottery, toys, books, and other products. Paper is often coated to give it a gloss. Silver, tin, and copper solutions are frequently sprayed onto glass to make mirrors.

Transportation equipment painters are the best known group of painting and coating workers. They paint various types of transportation equipment, including cars, aircraft, and boats.

Work Environment About this section

Workers must wear masks, gloves, and other protective equipment.

Painting and coating workers held about 163,100 jobs in 2018. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up painting and coating workers was distributed as follows:

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders	92,300
Painters, transportation equipment	58,100
Painting, coating, and decorating workers	12,600

The largest employers of painting and coating workers were as follows:

Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair	16%
Coating, engraving, heat treating, and allied activities	10
Machinery manufacturing	7
Furniture and related product manufacturing	4
Self-employed workers	2

Painting and coating is usually done in specially ventilated areas. Nonetheless, workers must wear masks or respirators that cover their nose and mouth.

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. More sophisticated paint booths and fresh-air ventilation systems are increasingly being installed in factories to provide a safer work environment.

Work Schedules

Most painting and coating workers are employed full time.

How to Become a Painting and Coating Worker About this section

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

Most painting and coating workers learn on the job after earning a high school diploma or equivalent. Training for new workers usually lasts several months.

Education

Painting and coating workers usually must have a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some employers hire workers who lack a high school diploma.

Taking high school courses in automotive painting can be helpful.

Some automotive painters attend a technical or vocational school where they receive hands-on training and learn the intricacies of mixing and applying different types of paint.

Training

Although some worker training may last only a few days, most entry-level workers receive on-the-job training that may last from 1 month to 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. For example, some automotive painters specialize in making custom designs for vehicles.

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. Some workers must stand at their station for extended periods. Continuous standing or activity can be tiring.

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

Pay About this section

Painting and Coating Workers

Median annual wages, May 2018

Total, all occupations: $38,640
Painting and coating workers: $36,810
Production occupations: $35,070

The median annual wage for painting and coating workers was $36,810 in May 2018. 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 $24,520, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59,810.

Median annual wages for painting and coating workers in May 2018 were as follows:

Painters, transportation equipment	$42,280
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders	34,800
Painting, coating, and decorating workers	31,050

In May 2018, the median annual wages for painting and coating workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair	$42,930
Machinery manufacturing	36,960
Furniture and related product manufacturing	31,890
Coating, engraving, heat treating, and allied activities	31,790

Automotive 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 About this section

Painting and Coating Workers

Percent change in employment, projected 2018-28

Total, all occupations: 5%
Painting and coating workers: 2%
Production occupations: -5%

Overall employment of painting and coating workers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2018 to 2028, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by occupation and industry.

Much of the job growth for painting and coating workers will occur in automotive repair shops, where the irregular nature of the work makes automation difficult.

Although many consumer, commercial, and industrial products require painting or coating and thus will provide job opportunities for these workers, automation in many manufacturing facilities is expected to reduce job opportunities for these workers.

Job Prospects

In addition to job growth in some industries, many job openings should result from the need to replace workers who leave the occupation.

Employment projections data for painting and coating workers, 2018-28
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2018	Projected Employment, 2028	Change, 2018-28		Employment by Industry
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2018	Projected Employment, 2028	Percent	Numeric	Employment by Industry
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Painting and coating workers	—	163,100	165,800	2	2,700	—
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders	51-9121	92,300	92,200	0	-100	Get data
Painters, transportation equipment	51-9122	58,100	60,800	5	2,700	Get data
Painting, coating, and decorating workers	51-9123	12,600	12,700	1	100	Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment Statistics (OES)

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) 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.

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 About this section

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	2018 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	$41,330
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	Painters apply paint, stain, and coatings to walls and ceilings, buildings, bridges, and other structures.	No formal educational credential	$38,940
Metal and Plastic Machine Workers	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	See How to Become One	$36,080

Contacts for More Information About this section

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

O*NET

Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Painters, Transportation Equipment

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers

Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Painting and Coating Workers,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/painting-and-coating-workers.htm (visited October 23, 2019).

Last Modified Date: Wednesday, September 4, 2019

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2018 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics survey. In May 2018, the median annual wage for all workers was $38,640.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.