Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
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 262 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.
AI can help with or automate about 7% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Record operational data on specified forms.
AI could do much of this on its own
Examine, measure, weigh, or test sample products to ensure conformance to specifications.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Monitor painting operations to identify flaws, such as blisters or streaks, and correct their causes.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Disassemble, clean, and reassemble sprayers or power equipment, using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths.
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 $49,094 here.
What the move takes
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
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Operations Monitoring
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Education and Training
- Engineering and Technology
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Very similar work+1% pay46 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 1% more—$49,618 vs your $49,094 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
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Furniture Finishers
Very similar work+1% pay100 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 1% more—$49,439 vs your $49,094 here.
What the move takes
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
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
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New skills to build
- Design
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Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Very similar workslightly less pay268 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$45,519 vs your $49,094 here.
What the move takes
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
- Operations Monitoring
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New skills to build
- Mathematics
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Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar workslightly less pay231 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$45,680 vs your $49,094 here.
What the move takes
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
- Operations Monitoring
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Far Vision
- Manual Dexterity
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
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- Reaction Time
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
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What the move takes
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
- Control Precision
- Perceptual Speed
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- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
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Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Similar workslightly less pay31 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$48,321 vs your $49,094 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
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
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New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
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 $49,094 here.
What the move takes
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
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Design
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Fine Arts
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Similar work+3% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 3% more—$50,412 vs your $49,094 here.
What the move takes
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
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Operations Monitoring
- Manual Dexterity
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New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Reaction Time
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Automotive Body and Related Repairers
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay859 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$49,018 vs your $49,094 here.
What the move takes
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
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
New skills to build
- Mathematics
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- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
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Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Somewhat similar work+25% pay1,655 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 25% more—$61,187 vs your $49,094 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
- Trunk Strength
- Manual Dexterity
- Visual Color Discrimination
New skills to build
- Administration and Management
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service