Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers earn a median salary of $40,860 per year, ranking in the top 83% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +1.4% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do painting, coating, and decorating workers earn?

The median annual wage for painting, coating, and decorating workers is $40,860. That puts painting, coating, and decorating workers at #673 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is painting, coating, and decorating workers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for painting, coating, and decorating workers is +1.4%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 8K positions in 2024 to 8K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do painting, coating, and decorating workers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working painting, coating, and decorating workers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
2. 2.Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
3. 3.Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
4. 4.Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.

Top skills for painting, coating, and decorating workers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become painting, coating, and decorating worker?

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about painting, coating, and decorating workers