Overview
Industrial painters and coaters operate and tend machines or use brushes and spray equipment to apply paint, enamel, lacquer or other non-metallic protective and decorative coatings to surfaces of various products. Metal finishing process operators operate machines or equipment to deposit metallized substances on workpieces and surfaces to provide decorative, protective and restorative coatings. These workers are employed by manufacturing companies and custom refinishing, coating and plating shops.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Industrial painters and coaters
Select appropriate paint or mix paints using automated paint mixing equipment according to a predetermined formula
Operate or tend equipment to clean, wash, strip, sand, remove corrosion, fill dents or otherwise prepare items for application of paint, lacquer or other protective or decorative coatings
Operate or tend automated spray paint, dip or flow coating equipment or other mechanized painting or product coating application equipment
Operate hand-held spray guns to spray paint or coat stationary items or items on moving conveyor system with protective or decorative coatings
Paint small items and apply touch-ups using paint brushes
Clean and maintain painting and coating, ventilation, compressed air and personal protective equipment
May prepare and apply stencils, computer-generated decals or other decorative items on finished products.
Industrial metal finishing process operators
Prepare and mix metallizing solutions according to formulas or specifications
Operate or tend equipment to clean, degrease, pickle and etch metal and non-metal surfaces to prepare workpieces with desired surface characteristics
Tend automatic metal coating machines which convey objects through a series of cleaning, rinsing and plating solutions
Operate and control electroplating equipment to coat metal and other workpieces
Operate hot-dip metal plating equipment to galvanize metal and other workpieces
Operate spray equipment to build up worn or damaged parts or to bond protective or decorative coatings on various objects
Check proper thickness of plating using micrometers, calipers or other devices
May operate equipment to polish metallic surfaces of products
May tend ovens which cure metal coating.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$41,712
$58,647
$95,395
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
308expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Secondary school education is usually required.
Some experience in operating production machinery or equipment may be required.
Several months of on-the-job training are usually provided.
Additional information
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Certification requirements
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.