Prevailing Wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Prevailing wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers under SOC 51-9123 is set by the Department of Labor using regional wage surveys. Whether you work as a Decorator, Glazer, or Painter, DOL assigns one of four experience levels to each sponsored position, and the wage floor shifts considerably depending on the city where work is performed.
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Entry-level workers with limited experience in coating, decorating, or finishing processes. Typically follows close supervision, performs routine tasks with minimal variation, and has no expectation of independent judgment on materials, techniques, or production standards.
The most common filing level for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers. Workers with moderate hands-on experience who apply standard coating or decorating methods with some independence, handling familiar substrates and finishes without requiring constant supervisory oversight.
Experienced workers who troubleshoot quality or adhesion issues, adapt techniques across varied materials or product types, and may train junior staff. Employers filing at Level 3 typically document specialized knowledge of specific coatings, substrates, or decorating processes.
Senior or lead workers responsible for process development, quality control oversight, or cross-functional coordination. Level 4 filings reflect full technical competence across coating systems and often involve mentoring, line supervision, or sign-off authority on finished product standards.
Prevailing Wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for this role and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch for title mismatches with adjacent SOC codes
Employers posting roles like 'Finisher' or 'Surface Prep Specialist' sometimes file under painting-adjacent SOC codes rather than 51-9123, exposing workers to a different wage floor. Confirm the SOC code on your LCA matches your actual decorating or coating duties before accepting an offer.
Treat Jackson and Dallas wages as a floor warning
The wage spread between the lowest-paying metros and high-cost cities for this occupation is unusually wide. If your offer is in a low-wage metro like Jackson or Dallas, the prevailing wage floor is materially lower, which affects both your negotiating position and long-term earnings trajectory.
Check employer sponsorship history on Migrate Mate
Manufacturers, glass producers, and ceramics companies vary widely in H-1B and green card filing activity. Migrate Mate shows which employers have actually sponsored Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers previously, letting you focus applications on companies with a documented track record rather than guessing.
Separate production bonuses from base wage compliance
Some coating and decorating employers structure pay with per-piece or shift-completion bonuses. DOL prevailing wage compliance is calculated on the guaranteed base rate only. A production bonus does not count toward meeting the wage floor for a sponsored position.
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Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-9123.00 alongside Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Decaler Prevailing Wage
Decaler Prevailing Wage
Decaler positions fall under SOC 51-9123.00 (Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Decorator Prevailing Wage
Decorator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Decorator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9123.00 (Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Glass Decorator Prevailing Wage
Glass Decorator Prevailing Wage
Glass Decorator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9123.00 (Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Glazer Prevailing Wage
Glazer Prevailing Wage
Glazer positions fall under SOC 51-9123.00 (Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
In Mold Coater Prevailing Wage
In Mold Coater Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a In Mold Coater for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9123.00 (Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Painter Prevailing Wage
Painter Prevailing Wage
Painter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9123.00 (Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Pottery Decorator Prevailing Wage
Pottery Decorator Prevailing Wage
Pottery Decorator positions fall under SOC 51-9123.00 (Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Silk-Screen Operator Prevailing Wage
Silk-Screen Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Silk-Screen Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9123.00 (Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Spray Painter Prevailing Wage
Spray Painter Prevailing Wage
Spray Painter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9123.00 (Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Sprayer Prevailing Wage
Sprayer Prevailing Wage
Sprayer positions fall under SOC 51-9123.00 (Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to establish prevailing wages for each SOC code. For SOC 51-9123, the OFLC calculates four wage levels based on the regional wage distribution for this occupation in a given metropolitan area. Employers sponsoring a worker must offer at least the wage level corresponding to the position's actual duties and required experience.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify which applies to my position?
Level 1 covers entry-level roles with close supervision and limited experience. Level 2 applies to workers with moderate experience performing standard tasks with some autonomy and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 reflects specialized or troubleshooting experience. Level 4 is reserved for senior workers with full competence and supervisory or process-development responsibilities. Your employer's LCA, filed with OFLC, must state the level that matches your actual job duties.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role differ so much from city to city?
OFLC derives wages from regional OES surveys, which reflect local labor market conditions. A Decorator or Glazer in New York or Seattle works in a market with higher overall wage levels, union density, and cost of living than one in Jackson or Houston, so the survey data produces a higher floor. The worksite rule means the wage on the LCA must reflect the city where work is actually performed, not the employer's headquarters.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot file a valid LCA with OFLC or a petition with USCIS if the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage level. If an offer is below the floor, the employer must either increase the salary before filing or reclassify the position at a lower wage level that accurately reflects the duties. Accepting a below-floor offer does not make the sponsorship compliant.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location for this occupation?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up current prevailing wages for SOC 51-9123 in any metropolitan area. Enter the occupation code and select the worksite area to see all four wage levels. You can cross-reference the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data for additional context. For finding employers who have sponsored this role in specific cities, Migrate Mate filters job listings by location and visa type.
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