Painting/Coating Machine Operator
A Painting/Coating Machine Operator is a skilled professional who operates industrial machines to apply paint and coatings to a variety of objects, including vehicles, appliances, and personal accessories. The role typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with most operators gaining expertise through on-the-job training or apprenticeships. These operators usually work full-time in factory environments, where they may collaborate with other manufacturing specialists, particularly in the automotive industry.
The work involves setting up painting machines, preparing paint mixtures, and operating different types of machines such as dipping or spray machines. Due to the nature of the materials used, operators must adhere to safety protocols to avoid exposure to toxic chemicals, often working in well-ventilated areas equipped with safety gear. The occupation appeals to those who enjoy detail-oriented, physically demanding work without the need for advanced education. While job growth in this field is projected to be minimal, the median earnings for painting and coating machine operators stand at approximately $45,340 per year. As technology advances, the industry continues to innovate, focusing on safer materials and methods that align with environmental standards.
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Subject Terms
Painting/Coating Machine Operator
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Manufacturing
Interests: Painting, doing detail work, performing physically demanding work
Earnings (Yearly Median): $45,340 per year $21.8 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 1% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education High school or equivalent
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Painting and coating machine operators use industrial machines to paint or coat a variety of objects, from vehicles and home appliances to jewelry and other personal accessories. Painting and coating machines are even used to apply coatings of color and other substances to certain consumables. The operation of painting and coating machines requires specific on-the-job training, and most workers learn their trade through apprenticeships. Automotive painting is one of the most prominent subcategories within the larger painting and coating industry, and many of the organizations that exist to assist painting and coating specialists focus on workers in the automotive industry.
Work Environment. Painting and coating machine operators usually work full-time during regular business hours. Some large companies operate on extended production schedules that require employees to work weekend, evening, or night hours. Workers may be asked to work overtime to adjust to increased production needs.
In many cases, painting and coating machine operators work in teams, with each individual painting or coating a different part of the eventual product. At times, painting and coating specialists may work alongside individuals involved in other facets of the manufacturing process. Automotive painting specialists, for instance, may work alongside others who specialize in auto restoration and repair. In addition, painting and coating workers typically work under plant or factory managers who may oversee many different parts of the manufacturing operation. In some cases, painting and coating machine operators may interact with marketing, sales, or customer service personnel.
As many paints and coatings produce toxic fumes, painting and coating machine operators tend to work in specially ventilated rooms and use safety equipment to avoid injury. Workers risk exposure to toxic chemicals and may also spend long hours standing or in other positions that can cause strain or injury. The Clean Air Act of 1990 places restrictions on permissible levels of emissions, and workers using painting or coating machines must comply with company procedures for keeping emissions below regulation levels.
Occupation Interest. Those seeking work in the painting and coating industry should be detail-oriented and comfortable performing difficult, physically demanding work. The occupation appeals to those who wish to pursue something other than advanced education and prefer to learn through apprenticeships or on-the-job training. Individuals interested in automobile restoration or repair may be drawn to the specialized automotive painting and coating field.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. A typical day for a painting or coating machine operator will differ depending on the industry in which they work and the types of painting and coating processes used. Most painting and coating workers begin by setting up their painting machines, which may include preparing or mixing paint, calibrating machine parts, and arranging workstations for the day’s activities.
Different types of painting and coating machines and processes require different basic activities. For instance, dipping machines apply paint or coating to objects by dipping the objects into vats of liquid. An individual operating such a machine may mount objects to be painted on the machine and use controls to dip them into a liquid mixture of paint or another coating. Workers operating spray machines use nozzles to spray paint or other coatings onto objects. Spray machines may be entirely automated, or they may involve a combination of automated and manual functions. Individuals working with these machines may need to spend time mixing or preparing paints or coatings.
Painting and coating machine operators working with spray guns typically work in specially outfitted spray rooms or in general workshop areas that have been fitted with ventilation equipment. Goggles and ventilation masks are typically worn to avoid injury and exposure to toxic chemicals. Spray gun operators work on a variety of different objects, including auto parts, instruments, furniture, appliances, and jewelry. The facilities and type of spray gun used will differ depending on the object being coated. Additionally, different types of paint or coating are used for different applications. Powder coating, for instance, involves applying a thin layer of powdered paint, which can then be heated to form a skin similar to that created by liquid paint.
Machines used for applying paint or coating must be periodically serviced, cleaned, and adjusted for optimal performance. In some cases, peripheral staff members handle equipment maintenance, while in other cases, the workers who operate the machines are also responsible for maintenance and adjustment.
Airbrush Painters (741.684-018). Airbrush painters coat, decorate, glaze, retouch, and tint articles such as fishing lures, toys, pottery, artificial flowers, greeting cards, and household appliances using airbrushes.
Spray Painters I (741.684-026). Spray painters I spray the surfaces of machines, manufactured products or working areas with protective or decorative material, such as paint, enamel, glaze, gel coat, or lacquer using a spray gun.
Spray Painting Machine Operators (741.685-010). Spray painting machine operators tend the spray-painting machines that automatically apply lettering, diagrams, or designs on products, such as speedometer faces, automobile steering-wheel hubs, and radio or television control knobs. They remove the product from the machine and examine the coating for smears, runs, incomplete painting, or other flaws.
Spray Painters II (741.687-018). Spray painters II perform the duties described under Spray Painters I, except that their job involves coating a surface that does not have a need for a finished appearance. They spray manufactured articles on assembly lines or travel to work sites to spray materials such as waterproofing, adhesive, foam, or paint onto the surfaces of articles.
Spray Gun Stripers (741.687-022). Spray gun stripers paint decorative stripes on manufactured articles using spray guns and templates. They also touch up stripes and may paint stripes or spiral designs on articles such as bisque ware or wheels as they revolve on a turntable.
Stainers (742.684-014). Stainers stain furniture using a brush, pad, sponge, or spray gun or by dipping parts or frames into a vat of stain by hand and wiping off the excess.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Painting and coating machine operators generally work in factory environments or in workshops, depending on the type of business. Spray-gun operators may work in spray booths or spray rooms within larger workshops. Painting and coating rooms are well-ventilated and are typically outfitted with a variety of safety equipment, such as emergency showers and eye-flushing stations for when a worker’s skin or eyes have come into contact with dangerous chemicals.
Plant Environment. Painting and coating are essential steps in many large-scale manufacturing processes, and many painting and coating machine operators work in manufacturing plants or factories alongside workers handling other parts of the manufacturing process. In automotive factories, for instance, they are part of a larger process that involves the construction and assembly of various automotive parts.
Human Environment. Painting and coating machine operators generally work under the supervision of department or plant managers who oversee the work of multiple employees involved in the manufacturing process. Successful painting and coating specialists work well with others and are adept at taking instructions from managers and supervisors. Some painting and coating machine operators may have the opportunity to transition into management roles by becoming supervisors within their organizations.
Technological Environment. Technology used in painting and coating processes varies depending on the scope of the business. In some small shops and companies, workers use handheld paint guns and coating machines to complete their work. In larger manufacturing environments, workers may use paint machines connected to automated systems. Technological innovation in the painting and coating field has come largely in the form of new paints and coatings designed to conform to modern environmental and safety standards. New paints use fewer toxic and environmentally harmful chemicals, thereby providing a safer work environment for painting and coating workers.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. Most companies that hire painting and coating machine operators require candidates to have completed high school or an equivalent program. High school students can prepare to enter the field by taking classes in basic mathematics, chemistry, and physics, which enable them to perform basic measurements or calculations while on the job. Some high schools offer classes in basic home maintenance, construction, and other types of workshop activities, which can be helpful for those seeking work in the painting and coating industry.
Postsecondary. A four-year degree from a college or university is generally not required, but machine operators may benefit from completing a technical or vocational program that specifically trains students to use a variety of manufacturing and construction equipment, including painting and coating machines. Automotive painting specialists often attend classes in which they are instructed in special techniques used for automotive painting.
Most painting and coating machine operators learn the trade on the job, working under experienced operators until they are considered able to operate the machinery on their own. Training may last from several weeks to more than a year, depending on the type of painting and coating work required. For instance, individuals who work in factories and operate painting and coating machinery as part of a production line may require far less training than individuals who perform hands-on painting of intricate or specialized items.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 51-9124 Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes519124.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
“Painting and Coating Workers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 28 May. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/production/painting-and-coating-workers.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.