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
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
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
| 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)
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
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings