Paperhangers
SOC code 47-2142 · O*NET-SOC 47-2142.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Paperhangers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$52,140
a year
Hourly
$25.07
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$53,730
$25.83 per hour
Middle 50%
$44,890 – $60,180
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$36,020 – $69,050
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
1,570
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $36,020
- $17.32/hr
- 25th percentile
- $44,890
- $21.58/hr
- Median percentile
- $52,140
- $25.07/hr
- 75th percentile
- $60,180
- $28.93/hr
- 90th percentile
- $69,050
- $33.20/hr
What does a paperhanger do?
Cover interior walls or ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, or attach advertising posters on surfaces such as walls and billboards. May remove old materials or prepare surfaces to be papered.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Staple or tack advertising posters onto fences, walls, billboards, or poles.
- Measure surfaces or review work orders to estimate the quantities of materials needed.
- Check finished wallcoverings for proper alignment, pattern matching, and neatness of seams.
- Place strips or sections of paper on surfaces, aligning section edges and patterns.
- Smooth rough spots on walls and ceilings, using sandpaper.
- Cover interior walls and ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, using hand tools.
- Trim rough edges from strips, using straightedges and trimming knives.
- Apply sizing to seal surfaces and maximize adhesion of coverings to surfaces.
How to become a paperhanger
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 54% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)54%
- Less than a High School Diploma24%
- Some College Courses18%
- Post-Secondary Certificate3%
Common questions
How much does a paperhanger earn?
The national median is $52,140 a year. The full range runs from $36,020 at the 10th percentile to $69,050 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a paperhanger without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking2.9/5
- Monitoring2.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- Building and Construction3.5/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
- Mechanical3.0/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Public Safety and Security3.0/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Design2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness.