Painters and Paperhangers

Building surfaces are often painted and decorated with various types of coverings for aesthetic appeal and to provide a layer of surface protection. Painters apply paints, varnishes, enamels, epoxy and other types of finishes; often they also prep the surface, which can involve powerwashing, lead containment, fixing wall imperfections, spackling, and caulking. Painters also use steamers to remove wallpaper before painting.

Paperhangers cover interior walls and ceilings with decorative paper, fabric, vinyls, and other types of materials. Though paperhanging is a separate skill, many craftsman do both, although the demand for paperhangers has diminished over the years as most people select paint over wallpaper for their interiors. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are approximately 228,420 painters in the workforce, but only 2,780 paperhangers.

Salary Range

$25,000 to $75,000

Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma

Certification/License

None

Outlook

About as Fast as the Average

Personality Traits

Artistic

Conventional

Hands On

Career Ladder

Project Manager

Supervisory Painter or Paperhanger

Painter or Paperhanger

Assistant Painter or Assistant Paperhanger

Seasonal Painter or Seasonal Paperhanger