CFChooseField
Production

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers

Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers

Median pay

$40,860
Median annual pay for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

1.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

8,800
Estimated U.S. employment for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Production and Processing
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5Design
  6. 6Chemistry

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Arm-Hand Steadiness
  3. 3Visual Color Discrimination
  4. 4Manual Dexterity
  5. 5Finger Dexterity
  6. 6Oral Comprehension

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Artistic
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Innovation
  6. 6Achievement Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  2. 2Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  3. 3Handling and Moving Objects
  4. 4Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  5. 5Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  3. 3Exposed to Contaminants
  4. 4Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  5. 5Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  6. 6Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
  • Select and mix ingredients to prepare coating substances according to specifications, using paddles or mechanical mixers.
  • Place coated workpieces in ovens or dryers for specified times to dry or harden finishes.
  • Clean surfaces of workpieces in preparation for coating, using cleaning fluids, solvents, brushes, scrapers, steam, sandpaper, or cloth.
  • Conceal blemishes in workpieces, such as nicks and dents, using fillers such as putty.

Software and tools

Adobe Illustrator · hot technologyAdobe Photoshop · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyAdobe FreeHand MXCorel WordPerfect Office Suite

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.