Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Painting and coating workers apply finishes, often using machines, to a range of products.
Is painting, coating, and decorating workers a good career?
It scores 9/100 and ranks #720 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($41,600 vs $61,390)
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+1.4%)
What painting, coating, and decorating workers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. painting, coating, and decorating workers earn between $37,030 and $50,360 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Live painting, coating, and decorating workers jobs
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- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow slower than average through 2034.
Education
Painting and coating workers usually need a high school diploma or equivalent for entry-level positions. However, some employers hire candidates who do not have formal educational credentials.
Some automotive painters attend vocational-technical programs in which they receive practical instruction in mixing and applying different types of paint.
Training
To attain competency, painting and coating workers typically receive on-the-job training. Sometimes this training lasts only a few days, but it usually lasts several months.
Workers who operate computer-controlled equipment may require additional training in computer programming.
Important qualities
Artistic ability. Some painting and coating workers make elaborate or decorative designs.
Color vision. Workers must be able to blend new paint colors in order to match existing colors on a surface.
Mechanical skills. Workers must be able to operate and maintain sprayers that apply paints and coatings.
Physical stamina. Workers may have to squat or bend frequently and stand for extended periods.
Physical strength. Workers may need to lift heavy objects. Some products that are painted or coated may weigh more than 50 pounds.
Related occupations
How much do painting, coating, and decorating workers make?
The national median wage is $41,600 a year, with the middle half earning between $37,030 and $50,360 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is painting, coating, and decorating workers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 9 of 100 and ranks #720 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +1.4% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a painting, coating, and decorating worker?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential.
Where do painting, coating, and decorating workers earn the most?
Among states, Washington pays the highest median ($61,210). Local pay for every state and metro is below.