Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
SOC: 51-9123 O*NET: 51-9123.00
Median Salary
$40,860
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
What does a Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$28,490
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,540
25th percentile
Median
$40,860
50th percentile
Experienced
$50,700
75th percentile
Top Earners
$62,770
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$28,490
25th
$34,540
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$40,860
Mean: $44,130
75th
$50,700
90th
$62,770
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $34,280 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,540 and $50,700
- •Salary spread is 39.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 8,470 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:8,800
Top Industries
Manufacturing67.8%
Miscellaneous Manufacturing13.6%
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing13.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.4%
Annual Openings:800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)8,800
Current
2034 (Projected)8,900
+1.4%
+100
Employment Change
+1.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 36 locations
Texas
1,110 jobs$28,5701.47x
California
930 jobs$44,4200.94x
Florida
920 jobs$35,7101.70x
New York
510 jobs$68,1400.97x
Indiana
390 jobs$44,7302.21x
Tennessee
380 jobs$35,6202.10x
Pennsylvania
360 jobs$41,6001.08x
Michigan
270 jobs$37,5501.12x
Virginia
260 jobs$46,1901.18x
Massachusetts
250 jobs$52,3201.27x
New Jersey
200 jobs$50,7000.88x
Missouri
200 jobs$45,1201.26x
North Carolina
200 jobs$45,0800.73x
Iowa
170 jobs$45,3901.95x
Ohio
170 jobs$44,3800.56x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What knowledge is required?
✓
Production and Processing
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Adobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
9
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Clean surfaces of workpieces in preparation for coating, using cleaning fluids, solvents, brushes, scrapers, steam, sandpaper, or cloth.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Rinse, drain, or wipe coated workpieces to remove excess coating material or to facilitate setting of finish coats on workpieces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Place coated workpieces in ovens or dryers for specified times to dry or harden finishes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Select and mix ingredients to prepare coating substances according to specifications, using paddles or mechanical mixers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Conceal blemishes in workpieces, such as nicks and dents, using fillers such as putty.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •78% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers professionals typically have a RAC Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
AArtistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.24
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.71
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.61
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.2
Dependability
3.7
Cooperation
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
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