Occupation Details
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.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$31,830.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$39,260.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$48,590.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
3,190
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
4,320
+113 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
487
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.4%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Aquatic Antifouling Paint Applicator
Learn MoreApprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Abrasive disc wheels
- Adjustable wrench sets
- Air compressors
- Air-assisted spraying systems
- Airless gravity pumps
- Automated paint mixing equipment
- Blow torches
- Claw hammers
- Compressed air systems
- Computer terminals
- Desktop computers
- Electric hoists
- Electrically operated airless pumps
- Electrostatic paint systems
- Exhaust units
- Forklifts
- Gas torches
- Handcarts
- High volume low pressure HVLP spray guns
- Hoisting equipment
- Hot air guns
- Hydraulic jacks
- Infrared drying lamps
- Low volume high pressure LVHP sprayers
- Manlift buckets
- Metal inert gas MIG welding equipment
- Oxyacetylene welding equipment
- Paint application brushes
- Paint application rollers
- Paint booths
Technology
- Inventory control software
- Maintenance management software
- Materials requirement planning MRP software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Robotic painting software
- Scheduling software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- operate forklift
- apply cleaning solvents
- apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
- apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
- move or fit heavy objects
- clean rooms or work areas
- prime or paint vehicle or transportation equipment surfaces
- mask vehicle body in preparation for painting
- maintain production or work records
- test manufactured products or materials
- adjust production equipment/machinery setup
- set up production equipment or machinery
- clean equipment or machinery
- clean equipment or machinery
- install equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
- measure, weigh, or count products or materials
- control operation of compressors
- control operation of compressors
- use lifting equipment in vehicle repair setting
- operate mix or blending machine
- operate mix or blending machine
- operate paint or coating application production machinery
- operate power driven pumps
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- operate pulp or paper making equipment
- operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
- use spray paint equipment
- use spray paint equipment
- use auto or vehicular body repair equipment
- use hand or power tools
- use hand or power tools
- use pneumatic tools
- use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
- use spray application production equipment
- operate glass or stone working equipment/machinery
- operate sandblasting equipment
- operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
- monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
- maintain consistent production quality
- perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
- examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
- distinguish colors
- understand service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- read blueprints
- read technical drawings
- read vehicle manufacturer's specifications
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Adjust controls on infrared ovens, heat lamps, portable ventilators, or exhaust units to speed the drying of surfaces between coats.
- Apply primer over any repairs made to surfaces.
- Fill small dents or scratches with body fillers and smooth surfaces to prepare for painting.
- Mix paints to match color specifications or original colors, stirring or thinning paints, using spatulas or power mixing equipment.
- Remove grease, dirt, paint, or rust from surfaces in preparation for paint application, using abrasives, solvents, brushes, blowtorches, washing tanks, or sandblasters.
- Sand and apply sealer to properly dried finish.
- Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
- Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.
- Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings.
- Monitor painting operations to identify flaws, such as blisters or streaks, and correct their causes.
- Fill hoppers, reservoirs, troughs, or pans with material used to coat, paint, or spray, using conveyors or pails.
- Disassemble, clean, and reassemble sprayers or power equipment, using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths.
- Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers.
- Clean equipment and work areas.
- Weigh or measure chemicals, coatings, or paints before adding them to machines.
- Start and stop operation of machines, using levers or buttons.
- Apply rust-resistant undercoats and caulk and seal seams.
- Operate auxiliary machines or equipment used in coating or painting processes.
- Remove materials, parts, or workpieces from painting or coating machines, using hand tools.
- Determine paint flow, viscosity, and coating quality by performing visual inspections, or by using viscometers.
- Attach hoses or nozzles to machines, using wrenches and pliers, and make adjustments to obtain the proper dispersion of spray.
- Turn dials, handwheels, valves, or switches to regulate conveyor speeds, machine temperature, air pressure and circulation, and the flow or spray of coatings or paints.
- Record operational data on specified forms.
- Operate lifting or moving devices to move equipment or materials to access areas to be painted.
- Observe machine gauges and equipment operation to detect defects or deviations from standards, and make adjustments as necessary.
- Prepare and apply stencils, computer-generated decals, or other decorative items to finished products.
- Set up portable equipment, such as ventilators, exhaust units, ladders, or scaffolding.
- Examine, measure, weigh, or test sample products to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Buff and wax the finished paintwork.
- Use brush to hand-paint areas in need of retouching or unreachable with a spray gun.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Painting and coating workers, except construction and maintenance
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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