Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders work in a sizable occupation, with 166,000 people employed nationally. The role centers on operating specialized machinery, and success in this field draws heavily on skills such as fine motor abilities, physical strength and stamina, mechanical aptitude, and being detail oriented. Workers also benefit from strengths in problem solving and decision making, critical and analytical thinking, adaptability, and project management. Leadership and science skills further support advancement and effectiveness on the job. Nationally, the median annual salary is $47,590, and typical entry into this career is possible with a high school diploma or equivalent. With a projected employment growth rate of 0.7% and 16,000 annual openings, this occupation offers ongoing entry and replacement opportunities. For those interested in hands-on, machine-focused work, it can also connect to related paths such as textile machine operation, metal pouring and casting, tire building, refractory materials repair, and other textile machine specialties.
The national median annual salary for coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders is $47,590. Earnings vary by location, with several states and metro areas offering higher median pay. Among states, Washington shows a median salary of $59,980, Colorado $53,590, California $52,950, and Massachusetts $51,150. New York’s median salary of $48,000 is close to the national figure. At the metro level, multiple areas report median salaries above $54,000, including San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $58,910, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $58,520, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $58,390. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro shows $57,660, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports $54,560. These differences suggest that geographic choice can significantly shape earning potential within this occupation, especially in certain states and major metro areas.
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders currently account for 166,000 jobs nationwide. The projected employment growth rate is 0.7%, indicating that overall employment is expected to increase modestly. In addition to this growth, the occupation is projected to have 16,000 annual openings. These openings can support both new entrants and those looking to move between employers or regions. The combination of positive, though limited, projected growth and a substantial number of annual openings suggests a labor market with continuing demand for workers in this role. Because the typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, this field can be accessible to individuals seeking machine-focused work without the need for a higher degree. For people already in related machine operation roles, this occupation can also represent a potential lateral or next-step option within a broadly similar employment base.
Location plays a meaningful role in opportunity for coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders. Among states, California stands out with an opportunity score of 67.38, median salary of $52,950, and employment of 11,570. Massachusetts and New York also show relatively strong opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, with median salaries of $51,150 and $48,000 and employment of 2,740 and 3,270, respectively. Washington and Colorado combine higher median salaries—$59,980 and $53,590—with opportunity scores of 56.29 and 56.97. All of these states share the same projected growth rate of 0.7%, so differences in opportunity scores and employment levels are notable. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ lead with high opportunity scores (77.42 and 77.27) and median salaries around the high-$58,000 range. Other strong metros include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH.
The typical education requirement for coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who do not plan to pursue a college degree but are interested in machine-centered work. Beyond formal education, the skill profile is important. Fine motor skills and physical strength and stamina support the hands-on and physically demanding aspects of the job. Mechanical aptitude helps with understanding and working with machinery, while being detail oriented is valuable for accuracy and consistency. Problem solving and decision making, along with critical and analytical thinking, contribute to handling issues that arise in daily operations. Adaptability and project management skills can support working within changing priorities or organized production workflows. Leadership and science skills can further enhance advancement prospects and effectiveness, especially for those interested in supervising others or taking on more complex responsibilities within this occupation.
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