Occupation · SOC 51-9123
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Median wage
$40,860
$28,490–$62,770
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
8,470
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingTime Management
Knowledge areas
Production and Processing
Technology & tools
Graphics or photo imaging softwareOffice suite softwareSpreadsheet software
Representative tasks
Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using sprExamine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defeClean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Spray guns and brushes — apply basic paint or coating to workpiece surfaces under direct supervisor guidance on a production floor.Job orders and work instructions — read and interpret to identify required materials and procedures with supervisor assistance in a manufacturing setting.Surface defects and finish quality — recognize and report nonconformances by visually inspecting coated workpieces against basic specifications.Solvents, brushes, and rags — use to clean spray guns and hand tools at the end of each shift following established cleaning protocols.Paint viscosity and coating thickness — follow preset measurements and mix ratios as directed by a lead worker during routine production runs.Safety labels and material data sheets — read and follow handling instructions for paints, lacquers, and thinners in a shop environment.Arm-hand steadiness and manual dexterity — demonstrate by applying even coats along flat or simple-curved surfaces under close supervision.Color samples and production color charts — match colors visually to confirm correct material selection before beginning a coating task.Workstation setup and teardown — complete in sequence following a posted checklist at the start and end of a coating shift.Supervisor feedback and verbal instructions — listen actively and follow corrections to technique or material use during on-the-job training.
developing
Spray guns, airbrushes, and dip coating equipment — operate and adjust settings independently to apply uniform finishes on varied workpiece geometries in a production facility.Finished surfaces and dimensional specifications — inspect completed workpieces against quality standards and perform touch-up retouching with minimal rework guidance.Solvent-based and water-based cleaning agents — select appropriate agents and execute thorough equipment maintenance routines to extend tool service life.Job orders and production schedules — read and prioritize multiple work orders to sequence coating tasks efficiently across a standard production shift.Coating defects such as runs, drips, and orange peel — identify root causes and apply corrective technique adjustments during active production runs.Color discrimination skills — apply consistently to detect subtle color variations between batches and flag out-of-tolerance finishes before products advance to the next stage.Time management practices — plan daily coating workload to meet throughput targets while maintaining finish quality on a moderate-volume production line.Lacquers, inks, and specialty coatings — select correct product type and application method based on substrate material and customer specification sheets.Coating thickness gauges and visual inspection tools — use routinely to verify film build and surface uniformity without supervisor direction.Coordination with adjacent production workers — communicate proactively to synchronize coating schedules with upstream preparation and downstream assembly operations.
proficient
Full range of coating application methods including spray, brush, pen, and roller — execute autonomously across diverse substrates and finish requirements in high-volume production environments.Complex or non-routine surface defects — diagnose, retouch, and document resolution actions to restore workpieces to specification without supervisory escalation.Equipment maintenance programs — develop and execute preventive cleaning and calibration schedules for spray systems and coating tools to minimize unplanned downtime.Multi-step job orders with variable materials and custom color requirements — interpret independently and translate into accurate work procedures on the production floor.Coating process parameters such as pressure, temperature, and viscosity — monitor and fine-tune throughout a shift to sustain consistent finish quality across production runs.Problem sensitivity and critical thinking — apply to evaluate finish failures, trace defects to process or material sources, and implement corrective actions.Graphics and photo imaging software — use to document finish samples, catalog color references, and communicate quality standards to production teams.Workflow coordination — manage competing coating tasks across multiple workpieces by applying time management skills to meet tight production deadlines independently.Coating material selection criteria — evaluate and recommend appropriate paints, lacquers, or inks for new workpiece types based on substrate compatibility and durability requirements.Quality inspection records and production logs — maintain accurately using office suite or spreadsheet software to support traceability and continuous improvement efforts.
advanced
Coating and finishing standards for the work unit — establish and communicate specifications, tolerances, and inspection criteria to guide all production-level coating workers.Training curricula and on-the-job instruction plans — develop and deliver to bring emerging and developing coating workers to proficient performance on the production floor.Process improvement initiatives — lead by analyzing coating defect trends, identifying systemic root causes, and implementing changes that raise first-pass quality rates.Equipment procurement and coating material sourcing decisions — inform by evaluating new spray technologies, coatings, and tools against production cost and quality targets.Production processing knowledge — apply at an organizational level to align coating operations with upstream manufacturing and downstream finishing for optimal throughput.Safety and environmental compliance programs — oversee by ensuring all workers follow hazardous material handling, ventilation, and waste disposal regulations across the coating department.Spreadsheet and production management software — use to analyze coating output data, track efficiency metrics, and present performance reports to operations leadership.Innovation in coating techniques — champion by researching emerging application methods and piloting new processes to expand departmental capability and competitive differentiation.Cross-functional coordination with engineering, quality, and supply chain teams — lead to resolve escalated coating issues and align material specifications with customer requirements.Departmental performance goals and achievement targets — set and monitor to sustain a culture of dependability, attention to detail, and continuous improvement across all coating operations.
Also known as
204 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
ChalkerDecoratorMirror MakerIn Mold CoaterPanmanNeon Sign MakerCeramic PainterPaper StripperDrierImpressed Lettering PainterPainter, Rug Touch-UpTile DecoratorHand Funnel CoaterAirbrush PainterPainting TechnicianHand StriperBattery Container Finishing HandScreen PrinterPowder Coat PainterButton SpindlerHand DecoratorCleaner and PreparerGlass DecoratorProduction PainterHand Touch Up PainterResin CoaterLighting Fixtures DecoratorLens CoaterPanel Edge PainterPasterBowling Pin RefinisherGround LayerEnrobing Machine CorderSilver Spray WorkerOpaquerPattern PainterCoaterLinerCoating OperatorManugrapher