Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
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.
Common Job Titles
- Automotive Painter (Auto Painter)
- Coater Operator
- Paint Technician (Paint Tech)
- Painter
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- Hands-onOperate spraying and rolling machines for coating various products in manufacturing settings, controlling flow rates and coverage patterns for materials including lacquer, enamel, and rust-proofing compounds.Proficient
- KnowledgeAssess coating quality and surface finish against established standards through visual inspection and quality control procedures during production runs.Proficient
- Hands-onCoordinate material handling and surface preparation activities using forklifts, hoists, and sanders to position products and ensure proper adhesion.Proficient
- Hands-onCalibrate paint spray guns, airless pumps, and electrostatic coating systems using viscometers and pressure gauges to ensure proper application specifications.Developing
- KnowledgeAnalyze equipment malfunctions and coating defects to identify root causes and implement corrective actions during production.Developing
- Hands-onPerform preventive maintenance and repairs on coating machinery using hand and power tools to maintain optimal equipment performance and minimize downtime.Developing
- KnowledgeInterpret production specifications, work orders, and chemical mixing ratios to prepare appropriate coating materials and configure equipment settings.Developing
- KnowledgeDistinguish coating chemistry properties and application requirements for diverse substrates including metal, wood, plastic, and ceramics.Developing
- MindsetCommit to workplace safety protocols and personal protective equipment use when operating in paint booths with hazardous materials and ventilation systems.Developing
- KnowledgeEstimate material consumption, production time, and resource requirements to support workflow planning and inventory management.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
159,500
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $35,480. 25th percentile: U.S. $39,470. 50th percentile: U.S. $47,590. 75th percentile: U.S. $58,740. 90th percentile: U.S. $72,800. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $35,480 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $72,800 |
| Workers on average earn | $51,610 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Mechanical3.0/5
- English Language2.6/5
- Production and Processing2.6/5
- Education and Training2.2/5
- Chemistry2.1/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Technology Skills
- Inventory control software
- Inventory management systems
- Maintenance management software
- Materials requirement planning MRP software
- Robotic painting software
- Scheduling software
- Time recording software
Tools & Equipment
- Abrasive disc wheels
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Adjustable wrench sets
- Air compressors
- Air-assisted spraying systems
- Airless gravity pumps
- Automated paint mixing equipment
- Blow torches