Paperhangers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Mean (average) | $53,730 | $25.83 |
| 90th percentile | $69,050 | $33.20 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Paperhangers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 13 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $62,790 | $57,690 | $97,120 | 130 | 0.69 |
| Colorado | $48,180 | $42,810 | $58,550 | 130 | 4.38 |
| Florida | $48,780 | $27,730 | $51,490 | 30 | 0.35 |
| Indiana | $54,810 | $41,330 | $60,570 | 70 | 2.04 |
| Missouri | $59,560 | $51,970 | $68,890 | ||
| New York | $60,230 | $52,130 | $76,130 | 300 | 3.1 |
| North Carolina | $48,590 | $25,070 | $58,600 | 100 | 2 |
| Ohio | $47,830 | $44,050 | $60,180 | 70 | 1.32 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,800 | $46,030 | $63,590 | 30 | 0.53 |
| South Carolina | $46,800 | $42,730 | $59,920 | 50 | 2.12 |
| Tennessee | $46,010 | $40,410 | $51,040 | 40 | 1.14 |
| Washington | $46,270 | $44,160 | $73,720 | ||
| Wisconsin | $51,500 | $35,060 | $59,990 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for paperhangers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 200. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 32.1%.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for paperhangers
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer CIP 46.0408
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Place strips or sections of paper on surfaces, aligning section edges and patterns.
- Smooth strips or sections of paper with brushes or rollers to remove wrinkles and bubbles and to smooth joints.
Technology skills
- Google Docs (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- A-Systems JobView
- Construction Software Center EasyEst
- Corel Painter
- Electronic data interchange EDI software
- On Center Quick Bid
- PlanSwift
- Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
Transferable skills for career changers: Coordination, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation.
Common job titles: Bill Board Poster, Bill Poster, Billposter, Hanger, Installer, Paper Hanger, Vinyl Hanger, Wall Covering Installer, Wallpaper Hanger, Wallpaper Installer.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do paperhangers make?
The national median annual wage for paperhangers was $52,140 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $36,020 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $69,050. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do paperhangers need?
BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and long-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is paperhangers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of paperhangers to change +4.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 200 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay paperhangers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were California ($62,790), Pennsylvania ($61,800), New York ($60,230). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.