Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders
SOC Code: 51-9124
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders carries a 27% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $47,590 and +0.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 165,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 27% AI exposure, Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders sits 10 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 22% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders has ai exposure of 27%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders (SOC 51-9124) carries an AI exposure score of 27%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 165,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +0.7% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $47,590, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
- 2. Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.
- 3. Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings.
- 4. Monitor painting operations to identify flaws, such as blisters or streaks, and correct their causes.
- 5. Disassemble, clean, and reassemble sprayers or power equipment, using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths.
- 6. Fill hoppers, reservoirs, troughs, or pans with material used to coat, paint, or spray, using conveyors or pails.
- 7. Clean equipment and work areas.
- 8. Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers.
- 9. Weigh or measure chemicals, coatings, or paints before adding them to machines.
- 10. Apply rust-resistant undercoats and caulk and seal seams.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Coordination
- Complex Problem Solving
- Equipment Selection
- Troubleshooting
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Education and Training
- Chemistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders has an AI exposure score of 27%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to grow by 0.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 165,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Key skills for Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders include Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Operation and Control, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?
The median annual wage for Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders is $47,590, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The typical entry-level education for Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).