Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Construction and Extraction
Before paint, paper, or plaster goes on, articles and nearby surfaces are taped and covered so they are not stained, and cracks in plaster are filled with putty or epoxy. Scaffolding is erected so the crew can reach the work. The rest of the day is fetching and holding tools and materials for painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons, then cleaning equipment and the work area. This suits people who like tidy, physical prep work, noticing what the crew needs next, and keeping a site ready for finish work.
Typical education: Less than a High School Diploma
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$40'470
Median Wage Market Position
$40'470
What you might do
- Tape off trim and cover floors before painting
- Hand over tools, paint, and wallpaper as needed
- Fill cracks in plaster with putty or epoxy
- Put up scaffolding for high wall work
- Hold tools while painters or plasterers work
- Wash equipment and clean the work area
Skills that matter
- Masking surfaces that could get stained
- Putting up scaffolding for the crew
- Filling cracks with putty or epoxy
- Holding tools while others work
- Getting materials to the crew on time
- Cleaning work areas and equipment
AI & the future of this role
Mixing compounds, moving ladders, and prepping messy surfaces are hands-on tasks that stay on the job site. Estimating or color matching might lean on apps at times, yet staging materials and cleanup for finish crews still tend to need people nearby.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details