Tapers
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
Median pay: $68,270/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +0.1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — slower than average.
About 1,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
• Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
• Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.
• Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
• Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
• Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.
• Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.
• Work on high ceilings, using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.
What's the median pay for Tapers?
The median pay for Tapers is $68,270 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Tapers?
Employment for Tapers is projected to change +0.1% from 2024 to 2034 - slower than average.
What education is typically required for Tapers?
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
How many job openings are there each year for Tapers?
About 1,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.