Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
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.
- Education Required
- Painting and coating workers usually must have a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some employers hire workers who lack a high school diploma.
- Training Required
- 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.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 3% (Slower than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Median pay: How much do Painting and Coating Workers make?
- $35,300 Annual Salary
- $16.97 per hour
Careers for Painting and Coating Workers
- Aircraft painters
- Auto body painters
- Auto painters
- Automobile body painters
- Automobile refinishers
- Automotive paint technicians
- Automotive painters
- Automotive refinish technicians
- Automotive spray painters
- Boat painters
- Ceramic painters
- China decorators
- Dippers
- Electrostatic paint operators
- Glass decorators
- Lacquer spray booth operators
- Lacquerers
- Paint line operators
- Painting and coating workers, except construction and maintenance
- Painting, coating, and decorating workers
- Railroad car painter
- Sign painters
- Spraying machine operators
- Tactical vehicle painters
- Transportation equipment painters
- Vehicle painters