Spray operator vs hand sprayer

The differences between spray operators and hand sprayers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a hand sprayer has an average salary of $43,738, which is higher than the $35,641 average annual salary of a spray operator.

The top three skills for a spray operator include calipers, grit and machine operation. The most important skills for a hand sprayer are rakes, MOW, and blowers.

Spray operator vs hand sprayer overview

	Spray Operator	Hand Sprayer
Yearly salary	$35,641	$43,738
Hourly rate	$17.14	$21.03
Growth rate	2%	5%
Number of jobs	30,093	4,346
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	42	41
Years of experience	4	-

Spray operator vs hand sprayer salary

Spray operators and hand sprayers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Spray Operator	Hand Sprayer
Average salary	$35,641	$43,738
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $48,000	Between $22,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City	-	Bremen, IN
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Creative Foam
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between spray operator and hand sprayer education

There are a few differences between a spray operator and a hand sprayer in terms of educational background:

	Spray Operator	Hand Sprayer
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Spray operator vs hand sprayer demographics

Here are the differences between spray operators' and hand sprayers' demographics:

	Spray Operator	Hand Sprayer
Average age	42	41
Gender ratio	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.5% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 1.5% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 0.4% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.7%
LGBT Percentage	4%	12%

Differences between spray operator and hand sprayer duties and responsibilities

Spray operator example responsibilities.

Spray paint special make glass products including drink glasses and candles both free-hand and using CNC guide paint arm.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

Hand sprayer example responsibilities.

Assist operation on an ingersoll rand RD20 roto drilling rig.
Remove accessories prior to finishing, and mask areas that should not be expose to finishing processes or substances.
Use of Hematoxylin and Eosin dyes to stain tissue.

Spray operator vs hand sprayer skills

Common spray operator skills

Calipers, 24%
Grit, 18%
Machine Operation, 14%
CDL, 14%
Hand Tools, 9%
CNC, 8%

Common hand sprayer skills

Rakes, 40%
MOW, 31%
Blowers, 29%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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