Career comparison
Drywall Taper vs. Plasterer
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. $57,660), 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. Plasterers apply plaster and stucco to walls and ceilings for durable, decorative finishes.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Drywall Taper | Plasterer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $68,270 ($32.82/hr) | $57,660 ($27.72/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $43,670 – $107,110 | $39,560 – $96,710 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.6% (a projected decline) | +2.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 900 | 1,500 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | Months on the job | 2–4 year apprenticeship |
| Key credential | Finisher apprenticeship | Plasterer apprenticeship |
| Work setting | Tapers work in new and remodeled buildings.. | Plasterers work indoors and outdoors on homes and commercial buildings.. |
What each job does
Drywall Taper
- Tape joints
- Apply joint compound
- Finish corners
- Sand
- Fix defects
Plasterer
- Prep surfaces
- Install lath
- Mix plaster
- Apply coats
- Finish textures
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and physical 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 plasterer if…
- I like craft work
- I’m patient
- I don’t mind heavy work
Still torn? Take the Drywall Taper fit quiz and the Plasterer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, drywall taper or plasterer?
Drywall Tapers earn more at the median: $68,270 versus $57,660 for plasterers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Drywall Tapers typically train faster (Months on the job) than plasterers (2–4 year apprenticeship).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects plasterers to grow +2.8% from 2025–35, compared with -1.6% for drywall tapers.