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Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Also called: Automotive Painter (Auto Painter), Coater Operator, Paint Technician (Paint Tech), Painter

What they do:

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.

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Persistence
  • Cooperation

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Inventory management software

  • Inventory control software
  • Inventory management systems

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft Outlook

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $43,960

Education

High school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED is usually needed.

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