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

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Compare to another career

Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $48,250/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$36,260$74,730

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +0.7% projected growth, 2024–2034 — slower than average.

About 15,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Operations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlMonitoringEquipment MaintenanceRepairingTroubleshootingComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationEquipment Selection
Top knowledge areas
MechanicalEnglish LanguageProduction and ProcessingEducation and TrainingChemistryCustomer and Personal ServicePublic Safety and SecurityComputers and Electronics
Core tasks

• Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.

• Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.

• Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings.

• Monitor painting operations to identify flaws, such as blisters or streaks, and correct their causes.

• Disassemble, clean, and reassemble sprayers or power equipment, using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths.

• Fill hoppers, reservoirs, troughs, or pans with material used to coat, paint, or spray, using conveyors or pails.

• Clean equipment and work areas.

• Apply rust-resistant undercoats and caulk and seal seams.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

The median pay for Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $48,250 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

Employment for Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is projected to change +0.7% from 2024 to 2034 - slower than average.

What education is typically required for Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

About 15,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.