Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers earn a median of $41,600 per year ($20.00/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 1.3% through 2035, with about 700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 51-9123
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $41,600a year, or $20.00/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $31KTop 10% $61K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +1.3%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+1.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +1.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 7008,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20258.2K
- Projected 20358.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 8.2K Projected 2035 8.3K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school59%
- High school21.2%
- Certificate2.8%
- Some college17%
Highest education held by painting, coating, and decorating workers Segment Value Less than high school 59% High school 21.2% Certificate 2.8% Some college 17%
Also advertised as: Decaler, Decorator, Glass Decorator, Glazer, In Mold Coater, Painter.
Pay
How much do Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers make?
Every painting, coating, and decorating worker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$41,600
Middle half earn $37,030 to $50,360
- 10th
- $31,470
- 25th
- $37,030
- 75th
- $50,360
- 90th
- $60,820
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $31,470 |
| 25th | $37,030 |
| Median | $41,600 |
| 75th | $50,360 |
| 90th | $60,820 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $41,600
- Median hourly wage
- $20.00/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $45,210
- People employed
- 7,940
Versus all US occupations
At $41,600, Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers earn 18% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $9,380 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 13% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $60,820 or more while the bottom 10% earn $31,470, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 9% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($61,210), but once local prices are taken into account Nevada leads at $60,203 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $61,210 | $57,199 | 90 |
| 2Nevada | $60,190 | $60,203 | N/A |
| 3Colorado | $54,070 | $52,469 | 170 |
| 4Massachusetts | $54,070 | $51,127 | 210 |
| 5New Jersey | $52,160 | $47,939 | 90 |
| 6Connecticut | $50,720 | $48,953 | 50 |
| 7Ohio | $49,080 | $52,903 | 230 |
| 8Missouri | $48,560 | $53,470 | 140 |
| 9New York | $48,510 | $44,950 | 460 |
| 10Wisconsin | $48,330 | $51,363 | 230 |
Job outlook
Is Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +1.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers | +1.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers to change 1.3% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 700 openings are projected each year, 8.5% of the 8,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of painting and coating workers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 16,100 openings for painting and coating workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Many consumer, commercial, and industrial products require painting and coating services, such as in automotive paint repair or detailing. However, automation is expected to continue to limit opportunities for these workers in some manufacturing establishments.
Getting in
How to become a Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker
Painting and coating workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation. New workers usually train on the job for several months to attain competency.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as painting, coating, and decorating workers.
- Less than a High School Diploma59%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)21.2%
- Some College Courses17%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 59% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 21.2% |
| Some College Courses | 17% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 2.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker do?
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Painting and coating workers apply finishes, often using machines, to products such as cars, jewelry, and ceramics.
Day-to-day tasks
- Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
- Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.
- Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
- Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most painting and coating workers are employed full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually serious.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where painting, coating, and decorating workers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Fabricated metal product manufacturing21%
- Transportation equipment manufacturing17%
- Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair15%
- Machinery manufacturing8%
- Furniture and related product manufacturing3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabricated metal product manufacturing | 21% |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 17% |
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | 15% |
| Machinery manufacturing | 8% |
| Furniture and related product manufacturing | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening2.9
- Monitoring2.9
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Speaking2.8
- Critical Thinking2.8
- Writing2.3
- Active Learning2.1
- Learning Strategies2.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Speaking | 2.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.3 |
| Active Learning | 2.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Coordination2.9
- Time Management2.6
- Judgment and Decision Making2.5
- Service Orientation2.4
- Instructing2.1
- Complex Problem Solving2.1
- Operations Monitoring2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Time Management | 2.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.5 |
| Service Orientation | 2.4 |
| Instructing | 2.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Office suite software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules.
- Realistic6.9
- Artistic3.4
- Conventional3.4
- Social1.6
- Investigative1.3
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$48,250median a year
Most earn $36K to $75K
+2.5%High school - Production
- Construction and Extraction
Painter, Construction and Maintenance
$49,400median a year
Most earn $37K to $79K
+3.0%No formal credential - Production
Molder, Shaper, and Caster, Except Metal and Plastic
$46,170median a year
Most earn $36K to $62K
+5.8%High school - Production
- Production
Grinding and Polishing Worker, Hand
$42,660median a year
Most earn $33K to $61K
−19.2%No formal credential
More production careers
Median annual pay, with painting, coating, and decorating workers highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker$41,600
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker | $41,600 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker appears on
Questions
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker: frequently asked questions
How much do Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers make?
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers earn a median of $41,600 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 18% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $20.00/hr. The middle half earn between $37,030 and $50,360. The top 10% earn $60,820 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 59.0% hold less than a high school diploma.
Is Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 1.3% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker do?
Painting and coating workers apply finishes, often using machines, to products such as cars, jewelry, and ceramics. A core O*NET task: apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes. Employers most often ask for Graphics or photo imaging software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers the most?
The highest state medians for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers are Washington ($61,210), Nevada ($60,190), Colorado ($54,070) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Nevada moves to the top at $60,203.
What personality type suits a Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker?
O*NET scores Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers highest on the Realistic, Artistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.