Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers

SOC Code: 51-9123

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workerss apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 92.1/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Coordination, Social Perceptiveness, Monitoring.

AI-Proof Score: 92.1Very High
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Median Salary

$40,860

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Job Growth

1.4%

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Training Time

Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)

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Job Zone

Zone 2 / 5

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Training Cost

~$5,000

Key Skills

  • Coordination
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Monitoring
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Time Management

Common 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.
  • Select and mix ingredients to prepare coating substances according to specifications, using paddles or mechanical mixers.

Why AI-Proof?

  • Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
  • Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
  • Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
  • Social and regulatory barriers to full automation