Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operators Make?
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $47,590 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,480 at the 10th percentile to $72,800 at the 90th percentile — a range of $37,320. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $63,440.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,480 |
| 25th percentile | $39,470 |
| Median (50th) | $47,590 |
| 75th percentile | $58,740 |
| 90th percentile | $72,800 |
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaskatop | $63,440 |
| New Jersey | $59,840 |
| Maryland | $57,860 |
| Maine | $56,770 |
| Washington | $56,630 |
| Minnesota | $54,240 |
| Hawaii | $53,350 |
| California | $51,710 |
| North Dakota | $51,380 |
| Kentucky | $50,700 |
| Virginia | $50,060 |
| Rhode Island | $49,850 |
| Mississippi | $49,750 |
| Massachusetts | $49,700 |
| Connecticut | $49,490 |
| Colorado | $49,040 |
| Tennessee | $48,780 |
| Nevada | $48,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,100 |
| South Dakota | $48,030 |
| New Hampshire | $47,850 |
| Oregon | $47,840 |
| Montana | $47,740 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,560 |
| Iowa | $47,530 |
| Kansas | $47,500 |
| Louisiana | $47,160 |
| New York | $47,150 |
| North Carolina | $46,970 |
| South Carolina | $46,850 |
| Florida | $46,800 |
| Nebraska | $46,780 |
| Ohio | $46,650 |
| Texas | $46,630 |
| Vermont | $46,510 |
| Missouri | $46,390 |
| Wyoming | $45,920 |
| Idaho | $45,740 |
| Utah | $45,720 |
| New Mexico | $45,660 |
| Illinois | $45,620 |
| Arizona | $45,400 |
| Georgia | $45,340 |
| Arkansas | $45,280 |
| Delaware | $45,230 |
| Oklahoma | $44,870 |
| Indiana | $44,760 |
| Michigan | $43,310 |
| West Virginia | $42,080 |
| Alabama | $40,220 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operators
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$35,480 – $39,470 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$47,590 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$58,740 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $72,800+ |
How to Earn More as a Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operators in Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area earn $79,770 — $32,180 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($58,740) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operatorthis career | $47,590 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,660 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $51,680 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $60,500 |
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PathScorer compares your skills to Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Operator requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 51-9124.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.