Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 46 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
Almost none of this job's tasks are the kind AI can help with or automate.
Tasks AI can't do much of
Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Select and mix ingredients to prepare coating substances according to specifications, using paddles or mechanical mixers.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Place coated workpieces in ovens or dryers for specified times to dry or harden finishes.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar workslightly less pay55 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$46,555 vs your $49,618 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Operation and Control
Furniture Finishers
Very similar workslightly less pay100 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$49,439 vs your $49,618 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Visualization
- Mechanical
- Dynamic Strength
- Operation and Control
- Static Strength
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar workslightly less pay262 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$49,094 vs your $49,618 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Repairing
- Reaction Time
- Mechanical
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Very similar workslightly less pay31 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$48,321 vs your $49,618 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Operation and Control
- Reaction Time
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Similar workslightly less pay185 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$46,989 vs your $49,618 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Reaction Time
- Visualization
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Similar workslightly less pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$44,721 vs your $49,618 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Oral Expression
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
- Operation and Control
- Mechanical
- Repairing
- Operations Monitoring
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Somewhat similar work+2% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 2% more—$50,412 vs your $49,618 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Operation and Control
- Reaction Time
- Operations Monitoring
- Rate Control
- Control Precision
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Somewhat similar work+2% pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 2% more—$50,811 vs your $49,618 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Operation and Control
- Reaction Time
- Rate Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Somewhat similar work+23% pay1,655 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 23% more—$61,187 vs your $49,618 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Manual Dexterity
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Building and Construction
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Administration and Management
- Gross Body Coordination