As of June 2026, Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders has an AI-exposure score of 41/100 (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

Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

41/100
Moderate exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 13% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$48,250. About 15,800 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 this role compares to similar Production roles

Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (this role)
41
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
41
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
41
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
41
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
41
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
41
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Data sources, not endorsements: O*NET task data, BLS employment/pay/demand, and Anthropic Economic Index signals.Methodology Data sources
Role snapshot

What this role usually involves

O*NET 29.1 exact occupation

Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities.

Common titles
Automotive Painter (Auto Painter)Coater OperatorPaint Technician (Paint Tech)PainterAutomotive Refinish Technician (Auto Refinish Tech)Hand Sprayer
Typical preparation
Some Preparation Needed: These occupations usually require a high school diploma. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Skills and knowledge
MonitoringOperation and ControlComplex Problem SolvingCoordination
Tools and technology
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordInventory control softwareInventory management systems
Work context
Face-to-face discussionsDecision latitudeFrequent contact with others

Source: O*NET 29.1 exact occupation - Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, SOC 51-9124.00. Context describes the role; the AI-exposure score remains a separate task-exposure estimate.

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Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (65%).

Augmentable
  • Observe machine gauges and equipment operation to detect defects or deviations from standards, and make adjustments as necessary.
  • Weigh or measure chemicals, coatings, or paints before adding them to machines.
11 more augmentable tasks locked in the report.
Durable
  • Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings.
  • Apply rust-resistant undercoats and caulk and seal seams.
5 more durable tasks locked in the report.

We analyzed all 20 Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders tasks — 13 augmentable and 7 durable. The full task map — every task with exactly what to do about each — is in your Career Report.

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Every task scored with what to automate, augment, or protect.

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5-10 adjacent roles with salary, demand, and reachability.

30/60/90 plan + PDF

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Safer adjacent roles

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
80% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$41,600
42
7 more safer roles with salary, demand & a reachability map — in your Career Report.
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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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