Painter
Prepare and paint walls, trim, buildings and structures for protection and a clean finish.
- $49,400
- 1–6 months on the job
Skilled Trades & Construction career
Paperhanger
Also called: Wallpaper Installer · Wallcovering Installer · Wallpaper Hanger · Mural Installer
What paperhangers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a paperhanger do?
Paperhangers cover interior walls or ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric. The median pay is $52,140 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Long-term on-the-job training, and employment is projected to grow +4.3% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$52,140$25.07/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.3%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainLong-term on-the-job trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs2,300Employment, 2025
What paperhangers do
Paperhangers transform rooms with wallcoverings. They prep walls, measure and plan layouts, match patterns, hang wallpaper, vinyl and murals, and trim cleanly around trim and outlets.
No formal education is required, and training is long. It is a very small trade; BLS projects slight growth.
Typical duties
- Prep walls
- Measure rooms
- Plan pattern layout
- Cut and paste paper
- Hang wallcoverings
- Match seams
- Trim edges
Work environment and schedule
Paperhangers work in homes, hotels, restaurants and offices.
Schedule: Full or part time, often self-employed.
A day in the life
- Prime walls.
- Plan the layout.
- Hang the first drop.
- Match patterns.
See a full day in the life of a paperhanger →
Paperhanger salary
Half of paperhangers earned more than $52,140 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,020 for the lowest 10% to $69,050 for the top 10%.
Full paperhanger pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a paperhanger
- Work as a helper
- Learn hanging
- Join WIA
- Build a portfolio
- Start a business
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a paperhanger →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Wall prep
- Layout
- Pattern matching
- Hanging
- Trimming
People skills
- Patience
- Precision
- Eye for design
- Customer service
All paperhanger skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Creative work
- Can be self-employed
- Design industry
- Indoor work
Cons
- Tiny field
- Precision pressure
- Expensive materials
- Irregular work
Certifications and licenses
- WIA certification: Wallcovering Installers Association.
- Painting apprenticeship: Often includes wallcovering.
- Business license: If self-employed.
- Lead-safe certification: For older homes.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Paperhanger: Hang.
- Master Installer: High-end work.
- Contractor: Business.
Learn the job before day one
Our Paperhanger training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as hang the first drop plumb and match a drop-match pattern, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Drywall Taper
Tape, mud and sand drywall joints to make walls smooth and ready for paint.
- $68,270
- Months on the job
Interior Designer
Design interior spaces that are functional, safe and beautiful.
- $67,190
- 4 years
Painter Helper
Prep surfaces and assist painters on homes and buildings.
- $40,470
- A few weeks on the job
Compare: Paperhanger vs. Painter · Paperhanger vs. Drywall Taper · Paperhanger vs. Interior Designer · Paperhanger vs. Painter Helper
Paperhanger FAQ
Is paperhanging a real trade?
Yes, though very small.
Do I need certification?
Not required.
Can I work for myself?
Many do.
How much does a paperhanger make?
The median annual wage for paperhangers was $52,140 ($25.07 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,020 and the highest 10% earned more than $69,050.
How long does it take to become a paperhanger?
Most people need about Long-term on-the-job training of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a paperhanger?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-2142 (Paperhangers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Paperhangers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.