Painting, coating, and decorating workers
SOC Code: 51-9123
Painting, coating, and decorating workers carries a 30% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $40,860 and +1.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 8,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Painting, coating, and decorating workers (SOC 51-9123) carries an AI exposure score of 30%, 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 8,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +1.4% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $40,860, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, 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 Painting, coating, and decorating workers. 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. Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
- 2. Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.
- 3. Select and mix ingredients to prepare coating substances according to specifications, using paddles or mechanical mixers.
- 4. Place coated workpieces in ovens or dryers for specified times to dry or harden finishes.
- 5. Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
- 6. Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
- 7. Clean surfaces of workpieces in preparation for coating, using cleaning fluids, solvents, brushes, scrapers, steam, sandpaper, or cloth.
- 8. Conceal blemishes in workpieces, such as nicks and dents, using fillers such as putty.
- 9. Rinse, drain, or wipe coated workpieces to remove excess coating material or to facilitate setting of finish coats on workpieces.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Service Orientation
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Design
- Chemistry
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Painting, coating, and decorating workers?
Painting, coating, and decorating workers has an AI exposure score of 30%, 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 Painting, coating, and decorating workers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Painting, coating, and decorating workers is projected to grow by 1.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 8,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Painting, coating, and decorating workers?
Key skills for Painting, coating, and decorating workers include Active Listening, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Painting, coating, and decorating workers earn?
The median annual wage for Painting, coating, and decorating workers is $40,860, 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 Painting, coating, and decorating workers?
The typical entry-level education for Painting, coating, and decorating workers is No formal educational credential. 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 Painting, coating, and decorating workers?
Painting, coating, and decorating workers 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 9 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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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).