What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the U.S. earn more than $48,250 a year — the middle 80% land between $36,260 and $74,730. About 158,740 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$48,250typical pay / year
158,740people in this work
$74,730+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make1
Operate spraying or rolling machines
+Operate the spray and roll machines to apply two coats of enamel to the steel car panels, follow the safety…
Operate spraying or rolling machines
+Operate the spray and roll machines to apply two coats of enamel to the steel car panels, follow the safety checklist, monitor viscosity and pressure, and log batch numbers and cure times after each run.
The tools that do the workRobotic paintingjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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The daily work21
Use viscometers to check paint viscosity
+Check viscosity of the mixed enamel for batch 47 using the viscometer, record three readings at 25°C, flag…
Use viscometers to check paint viscosity
+Check viscosity of the mixed enamel for batch 47 using the viscometer, record three readings at 25°C, flag any reading outside 18–22 seconds, note which thinners were used, and attach the signed log to the batch record by shift end.
The tools that do the workTime recordingjob descriptions
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Prepare surfaces before coating application
+Strip, degrease and de-flash the steel panels for job A312, abrasive-blast the edges, apply primer within one…
Prepare surfaces before coating application
+Strip, degrease and de-flash the steel panels for job A312, abrasive-blast the edges, apply primer within one hour of cleaning, verify adhesion with a crosshatch test, and sign the surface-prep checklist before moving to coating.
The tools that do the workMaintenance managementWikipedia
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Ensure safety procedures are followed during operation
+Run the start-up safety walk for the polishing bay, confirm respirators, ventilation and emergency wash…
Ensure safety procedures are followed during operation
+Run the start-up safety walk for the polishing bay, confirm respirators, ventilation and emergency wash stations are working, ensure all operators have current PPE checks, record any issues and stop the run until corrected.
The tools that do the workMaintenance managementWikipedia
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Enamellers embellish metals such as gold, silver, copper, steel, cast iron or platinum by painting it
+Hand-paint the silver pendant set using enamel mixes matched to the batch sheet, build three thin coats with…
Enamellers embellish metals such as gold, silver, copper, steel, cast iron or platinum by painting it
+Hand-paint the silver pendant set using enamel mixes matched to the batch sheet, build three thin coats with flash between each, fire according to the schedule, inspect for coverage and send defective pieces back for rework.
The tools that do the workInventory controlESCO
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Adjust controls on infrared ovens, heat lamps, portable ventilators, or exhaust units to speed the drying of surfaces between coats.
+Set infrared oven to 60°C, place heat lamps 1.2 metres from the panel, open portable ventilator to medium…
Adjust controls on infrared ovens, heat lamps, portable ventilators, or exhaust units to speed the drying of surfaces between coats.
+Set infrared oven to 60°C, place heat lamps 1.2 metres from the panel, open portable ventilator to medium flow and check exhaust damper at 70% to shorten flash-off between coats without blistering; log settings and monitor every 10 minutes.
The tools that do the workMaintenance managementO*NET
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Apply primer over any repairs made to surfaces.
+Brush and sand the repaired area, apply an even coat of primer to feather into the surrounding enamel, allow…
Apply primer over any repairs made to surfaces.
+Brush and sand the repaired area, apply an even coat of primer to feather into the surrounding enamel, allow tack time 15 minutes, then inspect for pinholes before moving to topcoat preparation.
The tools that do the workRobotic paintingO*NET
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Mix paints to match color specifications or original colors, stirring or thinning paints, using spatulas or power mixing equipment.
+Match sample chip to colour spec, weigh pigments and binder, mix on power mixer at low speed for two minutes,…
Mix paints to match color specifications or original colors, stirring or thinning paints, using spatulas or power mixing equipment.
+Match sample chip to colour spec, weigh pigments and binder, mix on power mixer at low speed for two minutes, thin to specified viscosity and apply test spray to verify colour and sheen before batch use.
The tools that do the workInventory managementO*NET
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Mix substances according to formulas
+Follow the formula sheet to measure each chemical by volume or mass, add in the precise order required, mix…
Mix substances according to formulas
+Follow the formula sheet to measure each chemical by volume or mass, add in the precise order required, mix at prescribed rpm and time, record batch number and operator initials before release to production.
The tools that do the workMaterials requirement planning MRPjob descriptions
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Weigh or measure chemicals and paints
+Set spray booth air pressure to 3.5 bar, balance supply and exhaust to maintain slight negative pressure,…
Weigh or measure chemicals and paints
+Set spray booth air pressure to 3.5 bar, balance supply and exhaust to maintain slight negative pressure, check regulator gauges and airflow meters, adjust vents until readings are stable before spraying.
The tools that do the workRobotic paintingjob descriptions
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Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
+Dispose of the used solvent drums and contaminated rags from Bay 3 as hazardous waste today, move them into…
Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
+Dispose of the used solvent drums and contaminated rags from Bay 3 as hazardous waste today, move them into the certified red bin, log the waste type and weight on the site manifest, then notify Facilities and arrange pickup before shift end.
The tools that do the workInventory managementMaintenance managementO*NET
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Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.
+Hold and position the HVLP spray gun on the left flank of the chassis to achieve even coverage on the door…
Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.
+Hold and position the HVLP spray gun on the left flank of the chassis to achieve even coverage on the door panels, steady the gun with a two-handed stance and adjust distance and angle as I move along each panel until the wet edge meets.
The tools that do the workRobotic paintingO*NET
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Apply rust-resistant undercoats and caulk and seal seams.
+Apply rust-inhibiting undercoat to the frame seams, run a bead of polyurethane caulk along the lap joints,…
Apply rust-resistant undercoats and caulk and seal seams.
+Apply rust-inhibiting undercoat to the frame seams, run a bead of polyurethane caulk along the lap joints, tool it smooth and feather the edges, then inspect for pinholes and recoat any thin areas before curing.
The tools that do the workRobotic paintingO*NET
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Buff and wax the finished paintwork.
+Buff the cured paint with a 1500-grit polishing pad to remove orange peel, follow with a soft pad and wax the…
Buff and wax the finished paintwork.
+Buff the cured paint with a 1500-grit polishing pad to remove orange peel, follow with a soft pad and wax the surface in slow overlapping passes until the finish shows uniform gloss, then wipe and inspect for swirl marks.
The tools that do the workTime recordingO*NET
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Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers.
+Feed the coated panels through the drying tunnel one at a time, align each to the conveyor guides, monitor…
Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers.
+Feed the coated panels through the drying tunnel one at a time, align each to the conveyor guides, monitor roller tension and spacing so edges clear the guides, and stop the line to correct any misfeed immediately.
The tools that do the workInventory controlO*NET
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Set up portable equipment, such as ventilators, exhaust units, ladders, or scaffolding.
+Set up the exhaust ventilator and two portable extraction units at the spray bay, position scaffold and…
Set up portable equipment, such as ventilators, exhaust units, ladders, or scaffolding.
+Set up the exhaust ventilator and two portable extraction units at the spray bay, position scaffold and ladder at the west end, verify airflow meets exposure limits with the monitor, and tag the equipment ready for the shift.
The tools that do the workMaintenance managementO*NET
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Maintain and clean equipment
+Clean and lubricate the spray guns, replace clogged nozzles and seals, wipe down booth filters, log all parts…
Maintain and clean equipment
+Clean and lubricate the spray guns, replace clogged nozzles and seals, wipe down booth filters, log all parts replaced and completion time, and flag any safety hazards to maintenance before the end of shift tomorrow.
The tools that do the workMaintenance managementjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Adjust machine gauges and equipment
+Check and set air pressure, flow and temperature gauges to the spec sheet for the enamel line, adjust feed…
Adjust machine gauges and equipment
+Check and set air pressure, flow and temperature gauges to the spec sheet for the enamel line, adjust feed rates until readings stabilise, note the final settings and the operator initials, and report any out-of-tolerance readings immediately.
The tools that do the workRobotic paintingMaintenance managementjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Record operational data on forms
+Fill in the daily production form with start and stop times, batch numbers, enamel mix codes, and any…
Record operational data on forms
+Fill in the daily production form with start and stop times, batch numbers, enamel mix codes, and any rejects, attach a brief note about unusual runs, and save the signed form to the team folder before lunch.
The tools that do the workTime recordingMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Inspect finished coatings for quality
+Visually and tactilely inspect five samples from the run for adhesion, gloss and thickness against the…
Inspect finished coatings for quality
+Visually and tactilely inspect five samples from the run for adhesion, gloss and thickness against the inspection checklist, record measurements and any defects, tag failed pieces and notify quality for immediate review.
The tools that do the workInventory managementMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Start and stop machine operation
+Bring the line to idle, follow the shutdown checklist securing heaters and conveyors, perform the visual…
Start and stop machine operation
+Bring the line to idle, follow the shutdown checklist securing heaters and conveyors, perform the visual safety sweep, then restart in sequence verifying all interlocks and report any abnormal alarms before resuming production.
The tools that do the workMaintenance managementjob descriptionsO*NET
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Inspect coated surfaces for quality and uniformity
+Examine a representative batch for runs, orange peel, colour match and edge coverage under standard light,…
Inspect coated surfaces for quality and uniformity
+Examine a representative batch for runs, orange peel, colour match and edge coverage under standard light, measure film thickness at three points, record results on the inspection sheet and quarantine parts that miss targets for rework.
The tools that do the workRobotic paintingMicrosoft ExcelO*NETWikipedia
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses