Career comparison
Drywall Taper vs. Paperhanger
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Drywall tapers earn more at the median ($68,270 vs. $52,140), while drywall tapers usually get to work faster (Months on the job of training). Drywall tapers tape, mud and sand drywall joints to make walls smooth and ready for paint. Paperhangers hang wallpaper and wallcoverings in homes, hotels and offices.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Drywall Taper | Paperhanger | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $68,270 ($32.82/hr) | $52,140 ($25.07/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $43,670 – $107,110 | $36,020 – $69,050 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.6% (a projected decline) | +4.3% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 900 | 200 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | Months on the job | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Key credential | Finisher apprenticeship | WIA certification |
| Work setting | Tapers work in new and remodeled buildings.. | Paperhangers work in homes, hotels, restaurants and offices.. |
What each job does
Drywall Taper
- Tape joints
- Apply joint compound
- Finish corners
- Sand
- Fix defects
Paperhanger
- Prep walls
- Measure rooms
- Plan pattern layout
- Cut and paste paper
- Hang wallcoverings
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working independently, and indoor work. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose drywall taper if…
- I like smooth finishes
- I’m patient
- I don’t mind dust
Choose paperhanger if…
- I love design
- I’m very precise
- I’m patient
Still torn? Take the Drywall Taper fit quiz and the Paperhanger fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, drywall taper or paperhanger?
Drywall Tapers earn more at the median: $68,270 versus $52,140 for paperhangers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Drywall Tapers typically train faster (Months on the job) than paperhangers (Long-term on-the-job training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects paperhangers to grow +4.3% from 2025–35, compared with -1.6% for drywall tapers.