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Lacquer spray gun operator

Also called mastic sprayer, lacquer sprayer, lacquer-sprayer

Lacquer spray gun operators operate lacquer spray guns designed to provide otherwise finished metal, wooden or plastic workpieces with a hard, durable finishing coat, through lacquer coating or paint that is either matte, sheen or highly glossy, but is always meant for hard surfaces.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 13 countries now. 18 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)What does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,000 (Bulgaria) to €5,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)What do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational6 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training. 6 in 10 train through vocational routes.Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)Will AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Spray painters and varnishers · ILO

What you'd do

Spray painters and varnishers · ILO
  • Preparing surfaces to be coated using a variety of methods to remove grease, dirt and rust
  • Painting cars, buses, trucks and other vehicles, and applying varnish and other protective coatings
  • Applying paint as well as protective coatings of enamel or varnish on metal, wooden and other manufactured products, usually with a hand-spraying device
Sand between coatsApply spraying techniquesSelect spraying pressureOperate lacquer spray gunEnsure equipment availability+ 4 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • On your feet most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

13 EU countries are short of spray painters and varnishers now, but fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as building and related trades workers (excluding electricians) in the EU
7.48m8.08m7.63m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,849,000 replacing leavers 394,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)18
All jobs29
Right now
13 of 27 countries report a shortage of spray painters and varnishers, 2 a surplus.
Spray painters and varnishers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,500 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among craft and related trades workers in the EU, women earn 26% less per hour than men. Craft and related trades workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training in mechanics and metal trades is the usual route.

Highest qualification of building and related trades workers (excluding electricians) (EU, 2025)
Degree 7%Vocational 50%General secondary 8%Basic schooling 35%
Field that teaches it
Mechanics and metal trades
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.12 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 3 tasks
Painting cars, buses, trucks and other vehicles, and applying varnish and other protective coatings0.12
Applying paint as well as protective coatings of enamel or varnish on metal, wooden and other manufactured products, usually with a hand-spraying device0.12
Preparing surfaces to be coated using a variety of methods to remove grease, dirt and rust0.12

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for spray painters and varnishers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).