Industrial Painter
Spray paint and coat products on production lines.
- $48,250
- A few months on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Product Decorator
Also called: Decorating Worker · Pad Printer · Hand Painter · Ornamental Finisher
What product decorators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a product decorator do?
Painting, coating and decorating workers paint, coat or decorate articles such as furniture, glass, pottery, toys, cakes and books. The median pay is $41,600 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +1.3% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$41,600$20.00/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+1.3%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year700Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs8,200Employment, 2025
What product decorators do
Product decorators add the finishing look. They hand-paint, airbrush, pad print, screen print, stencil or apply decals to ceramics, glassware, signs, toys, furniture and cakes, matching colors and designs.
No formal education is required, and training is moderate. It is a small occupation; BLS projects slight growth.
Typical duties
- Paint designs
- Apply decals
- Pad or screen print
- Mix colors
- Follow samples
- Inspect finishes
- Clean equipment
Work environment and schedule
Decorators work in factories, studios and bakeries.
Schedule: Full or part time, daytime hours.
A day in the life
- Review designs.
- Mix glaze colors.
- Hand-paint mugs.
- Pad print logos.
See a full day in the life of a product decorator →
Product Decorator salary
Half of product decorators earned more than $41,600 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $31,470 for the lowest 10% to $60,820 for the top 10%.
Full product decorator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a product decorator
- Practice art skills
- Build a portfolio
- Get hired
- Learn techniques
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a product decorator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Hand painting
- Pad printing
- Screen printing
- Color mixing
- Decal application
People skills
- Steady hands
- Creativity
- Attention to detail
- Patience
All product decorator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Creative work
- No degree needed
- Visible results
- Steady pace
Cons
- Repetitive designs
- Fumes
- Low pay
- Small field
Certifications and licenses
- Art courses: Helpful.
- Screen printing course: Helpful.
- Spray booth safety: Employer.
- Cake decorating course: For bakeries.
Career path
- Decorator: Entry.
- Senior Decorator: Complex designs.
- Lead: Lead.
- Designer: Create designs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Product Decorator training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as hand-paint a repeated design consistently and set up a pad printer, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Fine Artist
Create original paintings, sculptures and illustrations.
- $55,490
- Years of practice
Baker
Mix, shape and bake breads, pastries and desserts.
- $37,160
- 1–12 months
Printing Press Operator
Run printing presses that produce packaging, labels, books and marketing materials.
- $45,780
- A few months to years on the job
Compare: Product Decorator vs. Industrial Painter · Product Decorator vs. Fine Artist · Product Decorator vs. Baker · Product Decorator vs. Printing Press Operator
Product Decorator FAQ
Do I need art training?
It helps, but not required.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects slight growth.
Where do decorators work?
Ceramics, glass, signs, toys and bakeries.
How much does a product decorator make?
The median annual wage for product decorators was $41,600 ($20.00 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,470 and the highest 10% earned more than $60,820.
How long does it take to become a product decorator?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a product decorator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More product decorator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9123 (Painting, coating, and decorating workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Painting, coating, and decorating workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.