Signwriters
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Signwriters design, fabricate and paint signs for displays, buildings, hoardings, boats and structures.
Specialisations: Sign Manufacturer.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Signwriter. Although some workers have a certificate III in signs and graphics or another related course.
Tasks
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conferring with clients and responding to proposals, sketches and written instructions to determine composition of signs
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designing and creating signs and graphics using computer software and signmaking machines
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designing and creating signs by measuring and calculating letter size, preparing the surface, applying background paint using brushes, sprays and rollers, and creating the letters using brushes, stencils, enamel paint and decals
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designing and creating wall murals, screen prints, gold leaf work and custom vehicle art
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painting signs and lettering using lacquers, varnishes, paints and other materials
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painting signs on brick, metal, timber, glass, plastic and other surfaces
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making and erecting three dimensional signs
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preparing cost estimates for labour and materials
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may erect and work on scaffolding
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may install signs on-site
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Light
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Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 5,700 |
2012 | 5,500 |
2013 | 7,500 |
2014 | 7,600 |
2015 | 5,100 |
2016 | 4,900 |
2017 | 4,800 |
2018 | 11,500 |
2019 | 3,900 |
2020 | 4,600 |
2021 | 5,600 |
2026 | 5,600 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 82% of people employed as Signwriters work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 16 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 44 hours per week in their main job. This is the same as the all jobs average.
Median hourly earnings are $30, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Signwriters work in the Professional, scientific and technical services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Signwriters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 23.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.2 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.8 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 45% of Signwriters live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Signwriters is 41 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 12% of the workforce. This is 36 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Signwriters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 9.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 21.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 21.3 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 41 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Signwriter. Although some workers have a certificate III in signs and graphics or another related course.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Construction, Plumbing and Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Signwriters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 4.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 6.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 54.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 16.8 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.5 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 12.3 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Signwriters who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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55%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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50%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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50%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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46%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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46%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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41%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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39%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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39%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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36%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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34%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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34%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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34%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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32%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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32%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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46%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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43%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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37%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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34%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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33%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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32%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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32%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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31%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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30%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
28%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
21%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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19%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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15%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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14%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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14%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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14%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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14%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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14%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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12%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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9%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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59%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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50%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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50%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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50%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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50%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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48%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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48%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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48%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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48%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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46%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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46%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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46%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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43%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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43%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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41%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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79%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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77%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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66%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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64%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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58%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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56%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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55%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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55%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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54%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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54%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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53%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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53%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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51%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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48%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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48%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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47%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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45%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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45%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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44%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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37%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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52%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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29%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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71%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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43%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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38%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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33%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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33%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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31%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
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96%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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92%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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90%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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87%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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84%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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84%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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82%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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81%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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80%
Pace of work set by equipmentPace of work depends on the speed of equipment or machinery.
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80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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75%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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75%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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72%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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71%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
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71%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
70%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
69%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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68%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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67%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
66%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-9121.00 - Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.