Painting Workers

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.92
• Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.87
• Select and mix ingredients to prepare coating substances according to specifications, using paddles or mechanical mixers.84
• Place coated workpieces in ovens or dryers for specified times to dry or harden finishes.82
• Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.78
• Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.77
• Clean surfaces of workpieces in preparation for coating, using cleaning fluids, solvents, brushes, scrapers, steam, sandpaper, or cloth.77
• Conceal blemishes in workpieces, such as nicks and dents, using fillers such as putty.75
• Rinse, drain, or wipe coated workpieces to remove excess coating material or to facilitate setting of finish coats on workpieces.72

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Active Listening47

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Coordination47

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Monitoring47

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Social Perceptiveness47

  Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Critical Thinking44

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Reading Comprehension44

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Speaking44

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Time Management41

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Judgment and Decision Making38

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Service Orientation35

  Actively looking for ways to help people.

• Writing31

  Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

• Active Learning28

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Production and Processing53

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• English Language49

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Customer and Personal Service44

  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Education and Training39

  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• Design35

  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• Chemistry34

  Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

• Administration and Management33

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Public Safety and Security31

  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• Mathematics29

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Computers and Electronics21

  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

• Personnel and Human Resources20

  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

• Fine Arts19

  Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Near Vision66

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Arm-Hand Steadiness63

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Visual Color Discrimination60

  The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

• Manual Dexterity56

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Finger Dexterity50

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Oral Comprehension50

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Oral Expression50

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Problem Sensitivity50

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

• Information Ordering47

  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

• Speech Clarity47

  The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

• Written Comprehension47

  The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• Deductive Reasoning44

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates79

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events78

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Handling and Moving Objects70

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials66

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Getting Information64

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings64

  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

• Processing Information63

  Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

• Training and Teaching Others60

  Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards59

  Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

• Monitoring and Controlling Resources57

  Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems56

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information52

  Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Attention to Detail70

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Dependability59

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Cautiousness37

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Perseverance28

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Innovation26

  A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

• Achievement Orientation23

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Integrity18

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Self-Control18

  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

• Self-Confidence17

  A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

• Stress Tolerance15

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Adaptability6

  A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

• Cooperation3

  A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic99

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Artistic40

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

• Conventional40

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Social10

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Investigative6

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

• Enterprising0

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

  • Every day89%

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

  • Continually or almost continually68%
  • More than half the time14%
  • About half the time14%

• Exposed to Contaminants

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

  • Extremely important36%
  • Very important41%
  • Fairly important13%

• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

  • A lot of freedom34%
  • Some freedom27%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important23%
  • Fairly important16%

• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

  • Continually or almost continually34%
  • About half the time18%
  • Less than half the time17%

• Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

  • Every day56%
  • Once a month or more but not every week18%
  • Once a year or more but not every month18%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others36%
  • Contact with others most of the time28%
  • Contact with others about half the time13%
  • Occasional contact with others20%

• Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

  • Very important36%
  • Important16%
  • Not important at all14%

• Freedom to Make Decisions

  • Some freedom20%
  • Limited freedom29%
  • Very little freedom15%

• Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

  • Every day56%
  • Once a year or more but not every month16%
  • Never28%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• Less than high school diploma
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Some college, no degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Graphics or photo imaging software

  Adobe FreeHand MX, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Office suite software

  Corel WordPerfect Office Suite

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Etchers and Engravers
• Painters and paperhangers
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Furniture Finishers
• Crushing, Grinding, Polishing, Mixing, and Blending Workers
• Cutting Workers
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
• Shoe and leather workers
• Model makers, patternmakers, and molding machine setters, metal and plastic
• Miscellaneous metal workers and plastic workers, including multiple machine tool setters
• Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
• Cutting Workers
• Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Machine tool cutting setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
• Miscellaneous metal workers and plastic workers, including multiple machine tool setters
• Machine Feeders and Offbearers
• Sewing Machine Operators
• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
• Model makers, patternmakers, and molding machine setters, metal and plastic

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
• Inspect finishes of workpieces or finished products.
• Operate painting or coating equipment.
• Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
• Select production input materials.
• Load items into ovens or furnaces.
• Clean production equipment.
• Maintain production or processing equipment.
• Clean workpieces or finished products.
• Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
• Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces.

Registered apprenticeship program titles associated with this occupation.

• Decorator (Glass Mfg)
• Liner (Pottery & Porc)
• Painter, Hand (Any Ind)
• Screen Printer
• Sign Writer, Hand