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Salary comparison

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators out-earn Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers land at $41,600 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: painting, coating, and decorating worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers is Washington ($61,210); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$41,600
$44,650
Hourly rate
$20/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,470
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$60,820
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
7,940
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
1.4%
-0.1%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers median pay.

State
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Washington
$61,210
$48,260
Nevada
$60,190
$49,050
Massachusetts
$54,070
$46,720
Colorado
$54,070
$46,150
Ohio
$49,080
$45,720
Missouri
$48,560
$46,480
Wisconsin
$48,330
$45,670
Maryland
$47,320
$45,450
Iowa
$46,670
$48,920
South Carolina
$43,820
$45,500
Minnesota
$43,630
$46,920
Kentucky
$42,220
$47,950
California
$41,600
$47,720
Indiana
$41,350
$45,550
Kansas
$39,470
$45,220

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators earn more nationally. The median is $41,600 for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.4% projected growth, compared to -0.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers at $61,210/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers earn $61,210 vs. $48,260 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by take-home payExplore →How to become a painting, coating, and decorating workersGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →