As of June 2026, Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers has an AI-exposure score of 42/100 (Moderate exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers

42/100
Moderate exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 15% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$41,600. About 800 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How you compare to similar Production roles

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers (you)
42
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
42
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
43
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
41
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
41
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
41
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (78%).

Augmentable
  • Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
  • Place coated workpieces in ovens or dryers for specified times to dry or harden finishes.
Durable
  • Select and mix ingredients to prepare coating substances according to specifications, using paddles or mechanical mixers.
  • Conceal blemishes in workpieces, such as nicks and dents, using fillers such as putty.
  • Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
  • Clean surfaces of workpieces in preparation for coating, using cleaning fluids, solvents, brushes, scrapers, steam, sandpaper, or cloth.
  • Rinse, drain, or wipe coated workpieces to remove excess coating material or to facilitate setting of finish coats on workpieces.
  • Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.
  • Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.

Safer adjacent roles

YOUR ROLE TODAY
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers 42
→
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 80% overlap41Etchers and Engravers 72% overlap51Furniture Finishers 64% overlap31
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
80% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$48,250
41
Etchers and Engravers
72% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$43,310
51
Furniture Finishers
64% skills overlap · Low exposure · ~US$44,540
31
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
56% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$46,170
47
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
48% skills overlap · Low exposure · ~US$49,400
38
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$42,660
41
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$38,020
41
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$34,890
43

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

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