Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders set up and run machines that apply protective or decorative coatings to products like glassware, ceramics, metal, plastic, and wood. They work in manufacturing facilities, factories, and automotive shops, adjusting equipment, monitoring application quality, and maintaining consistent finishes across production runs.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves inspecting machinery at shift start, adjusting spray nozzles and pressure settings based on product specifications, and monitoring coating application for consistency and defects. Operators load products onto conveyor lines, ensure proper coverage, and make real-time adjustments when issues arise. Work includes routine equipment cleaning, mixing coating materials to correct consistency, keeping detailed production records, and communicating with supervisors about equipment problems or quality concerns.
Who this work suits
Holland code RCA. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely do well in this work if you have a practical mindset and prefer following established procedures and specifications. You tend to be detail-oriented, comfortable with machinery and troubleshooting, and satisfied with straightforward tasks that produce tangible, visible results.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Gardener/Pesticide Spray Tech A08 · U.S. Marine Corps · Quantico, Virginia · $23.1–$23.1
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $45,210 | $69,910 | $81,610 | 140 |
| Washington | $47,790 | $59,980 | $78,740 | 3,980 |
| New Jersey | $47,320 | $58,240 | $76,530 | 2,890 |
| Maine | $47,430 | $56,200 | $64,720 | 680 |
| Maryland | $45,210 | $55,510 | $83,760 | 1,010 |
| Colorado | $47,480 | $53,590 | $75,510 | 1,470 |
| Mississippi | $43,680 | $53,170 | $63,180 | 2,010 |
| California | $43,840 | $52,950 | $68,890 | 11,570 |
| Connecticut | $44,710 | $52,900 | $65,450 | 1,550 |
| Minnesota | $46,440 | $52,210 | $62,500 | 3,430 |
| Hawaii | $45,040 | $51,990 | $63,240 | 230 |
| Massachusetts | $45,120 | $51,150 | $59,980 | 2,740 |
All 50 states
Certifications people in this field hold
- Coating Inspector Program - Level 1 (CIP) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance
- Coating Inspector Program - Level 3 Peer Review — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance
- Coating Inspector Program Level 2 - Bridge Specialty — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance
- Protective Coating Technician (PCS) — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance
- Industrial Painter Assessment — National Center for Construction Education and Research
- Coating Inspector Program Level 2 — The Association for Materials Protection and Performance
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 51-9124.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.