| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Clean equipment and work areas. |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Use brush to hand-paint areas in need of retouching or unreachable with a spray gun. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Monitor painting operations to identify flaws, such as blisters or streaks, and correct their causes. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Turn dials, handwheels, valves, or switches to regulate conveyor speeds, machine temperature, air pressure and circulation, and the flow or spray of coatings or paints. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Examine, measure, weigh, or test sample products to ensure conformance to specifications. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Determine paint flow, viscosity, and coating quality by performing visual inspections, or by using viscometers. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Observe machine gauges and equipment operation to detect defects or deviations from standards, and make adjustments as necessary. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Attach hoses or nozzles to machines, using wrenches and pliers, and make adjustments to obtain the proper dispersion of spray. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Buff and wax the finished paintwork. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Start and stop operation of machines, using levers or buttons. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Apply rust-resistant undercoats and caulk and seal seams. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Disassemble, clean, and reassemble sprayers or power equipment, using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Fill hoppers, reservoirs, troughs, or pans with material used to coat, paint, or spray, using conveyors or pails. |
Associate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Associate's Degree (or less), and % with 1 year experience (or less).
These entry-level roles are open to associate's degree graduates and offer a practical starting point for building experience and advancing. For recent graduates or career changers seeking their first role with a two-year degree. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.
Here is a short Helper Video
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs ![]()
What entry level jobs can you get with just an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 426 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Description: Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
143,400U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
154,200
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
10,800 (7.5%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
15,900
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Operate lifting or moving devices to move equipment or materials to access areas to be painted. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Operate auxiliary machines or equipment used in coating or painting processes. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Weigh or measure chemicals, coatings, or paints before adding them to machines. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Set up portable equipment, such as ventilators, exhaust units, ladders, or scaffolding. |
| Importance: 50 (%) | Description: Record operational data on specified forms. |
| Importance: 40 (%) | Description: Remove materials, parts, or workpieces from painting or coating machines, using hand tools. |
| Importance: 26 (%) | Description: Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers. |
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money. |
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products. | |
| Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment. | |
| Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products. | |
| Assemble temporary equipment or structures. | |
| Clean production equipment. | |
| Clean work areas. | |
| Connect supply lines to production equipment or tools. | |
| Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair. | |
| Dispose of trash or waste materials. | |
| Feed materials or products into or through equipment. | |
| Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces. | |
| Inspect finishes of workpieces or finished products. | |
| Load materials into production equipment. | |
| Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. | |
| Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes. | |
| Mix ingredients to create specific finishes. | |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning. | |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed. | |
| Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. | |
| Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment. | |
| Operate painting or coating equipment. | |
| Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products. | |
| Prepare surfaces for finishing. | |
| Record operational or production data. | |
| Remove products or workpieces from production equipment. | |
| Smooth metal surfaces or edges. | |
| Weigh finished products. | |
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. |
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance. |
| Activity: Apply materials to fill gaps or imperfections. |
| Activity: Apply protective solutions or coatings. |
| Activity: Build structures. |
| Activity: Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas. |
| Activity: Connect components or supply lines to equipment or tools. |
| Activity: Disassemble equipment. |
| Activity: Dispose of waste or debris. |
| Activity: Inspect completed work or finished products. |
| Activity: Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing. |
| Activity: Maintain operational records. |
| Activity: Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment. |
| Activity: Monitor equipment operation. |
| Activity: Operate industrial processing or production equipment. |
| Activity: Operate lifting or moving equipment. |
| Activity: Perform general construction or extraction activities. |
| Activity: Position workpieces or materials on equipment. |
| Activity: Prepare mixtures or solutions. |
| Activity: Remove workpieces from production equipment. |
| Activity: Smooth surfaces of objects or equipment. |
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
| Emerging Tech Skills |
| Electronic mail software: |
| Microsoft Outlook |
| Office suite software: |
| Microsoft Office software |
| Spreadsheet software: |
| Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software: |
| Microsoft Word |
| General Software Tools |
| Calendar and scheduling software: |
| Scheduling software |
| Facilities management software: |
| Maintenance management software |
| Industrial control software: |
| Robotic painting software |
| Inventory management software: |
| Inventory control software Inventory management systems |
| Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software: |
| Materials requirement planning MRP software |
| Time accounting software: |
| Time recording software |
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed |
| Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. |
| Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. |
| Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. |
| These occupations involve following instructions and often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include dishwashers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, counter and rental clerks, dental laboratory technicians, and security guards. |
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 62.7 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 26.7 (%) | Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.1 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.6 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 38.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 23.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 20.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 2.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 2.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Coating Inspector Program - Nuclear Specialty | |
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Coating Inspector Program Level 1 - Marine Specialty | |
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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American Coatings Association (ACA) | |
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Association of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL) | |
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Powder Coating Institute | |
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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