Career comparison
Painter vs. Paperhanger
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Paperhangers earn more at the median ($52,140 vs. $49,400), while painters usually get to work faster (1–6 months on the job of training). Painters prepare and paint walls, trim, buildings and structures for protection and a clean finish. Paperhangers hang wallpaper and wallcoverings in homes, hotels and offices.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Painter | Paperhanger | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,400 ($23.75/hr) | $52,140 ($25.07/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,440 – $78,810 | $36,020 – $69,050 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.0% (about as fast as average) | +4.3% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 24,900 | 200 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 1–6 months on the job | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Key credential | EPA RRP Certified Renovator | WIA certification |
| Work setting | Painters work indoors and outdoors in homes, offices, schools, factories and on bridges and tanks. | Paperhangers work in homes, hotels, restaurants and offices.. |
What each job does
Painter
- Protect floors, furniture and fixtures before work starts
- Wash, scrape, sand and patch surfaces
- Caulk gaps and apply primer
- Apply paint and coatings with brushes, rollers and sprayers
- Mix and match colors and finishes
Paperhanger
- Prep walls
- Measure rooms
- Plan pattern layout
- Cut and paste paper
- Hang wallcoverings
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, indoor work, working independently, and creative work. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose painter if…
- I like making spaces look clean and finished
- I’m patient with careful prep work
- I’m comfortable on ladders
Choose paperhanger if…
- I love design
- I’m very precise
- I’m patient
Still torn? Take the Painter fit quiz and the Paperhanger fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, painter or paperhanger?
Paperhangers earn more at the median: $52,140 versus $49,400 for painters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Painters typically train faster (1–6 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 +3.0% for painters.