How to become a painting, coating, and decorating workers
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What painting, coating, and decorating workers do
- Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
- Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
- 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.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
Is painting, coating, and decorating workers a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 18% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Washington $61,210
- Colorado $54,070
- Massachusetts $54,070
- New Jersey $52,160
- Connecticut $50,720
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.