Career Overview
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Also Known As
- Decorator
- Glazer
- Painter
- Pottery Decorator
Alternate Job Titles
- Air Brush Decorator
- Air Brush Operator
- Airbrush Painter
- Art Gilder
- Auto Body Painter (Automotive Body Painter)
- Babbitter
- Bake Off Decorator
- Bakery Decorator
- Balloon Dipper
- Banner Painter
- Barrel Coater
- Barrel Liner
- Battery Container Finishing Hand
- Bisque Ware Dipper
- Blocker
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
- Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.
- Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
- Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Manual Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Finger Dexterity
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Innovation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Excel
Tools & Equipment
- Banding wheels
- Belt dryers
- Cleaning brushes
- Cleaning scrapers
- Computer inkjet printers
- Computer laser printers
- Cordless power sanders
- Decorating wheels
- Dial calipers
- Digital hydrometers
- Digital micrometers
- Enamel setting kilns
- Enameling sifters
- Exposure units
- Finishing ovens
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $28,490 |
| Median | $40,860 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $62,770 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 8,470
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $47,590
Etchers and Engravers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $40,450
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,660
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $45,690
Furniture Finishers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $42,530
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.