Tapers
Construction and Extraction
Spreads sealing compound over joints, cracks, holes, and fastener heads, then presses paper tape into the wet compound to close the seams. Extra coats go on with trowels, knives, or floating machines until the tape blends into the wall; nicks and cracks are sanded or patched. Compounds are mixed by hand or with a portable mixer. High ceilings mean working from scaffolding or stilts. The work is indoors, after the boards are up and before painting or papering, and it suits people who like precise finishing, repeated coats, and judging when a surface is truly flat.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$68'270
Median Wage Market Position
$68'270
What you might do
- Spread compound over seams, holes, and nail heads
- Press paper tape into the wet compound
- Add extra coats until the wall is smooth
- Blend taped joints into the surrounding wall
- Sand nicks and cracks in finished drywall
- Work high ceilings from stilts or scaffolding
Skills that matter
- Embedding tape into wet sealing compound
- Smoothing joints flush with the wallboard
- Mixing compounds by hand or mixer
- Judging when joints need another coat
- Hearing how smooth the finish should be
- Sequencing taping, drying, and sanding
AI & the future of this role
Joint sealing, mudding, and sanding on uneven walls demand skilled hands and on-site judgment that tools are unlikely to match soon. AI may aid estimating or scheduling, but finish quality and remodel work still rest on craft experience.
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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