Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons (SOC 47-3014) earn a median $40,470 a year ($19.46 an hour) in the United States, with 7,490 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Ohio.
What helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons do
Helpers for painters, paperhangers, plasterers and stucco masons perform support duties that require less skill around finishing work: using, supplying or holding materials and tools, and cleaning the work area and equipment. They put masking tape and similar protective coverings over articles or areas that the work could damage or stain, clean work areas and equipment, and erect scaffolding. Cracks or breaks in plaster surfaces are filled with putty or epoxy compounds. They also supply tools and materials to the skilled worker and hold them when needed. Titles on O*NET include billboard poster helper, bridge painter helper, highway painter helper, house painter helper and ornamental plasterer helper, which shows a range from bridges and highways to houses and decorative plasterwork. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist these trades are classified under construction laborers (47-2061), and apprentices are classified with the skilled trade.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most common education level reported is less than a high school diploma, with skills learned on the job.
Also called: Billboard Poster Helper, Bridge Painter Helper, Dry Plasterer Helper, Exterior Work Helper, Highway Painter Helper.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $15.00 | $17.71 | $19.46 | $23.60 | $25.00 | $20.40 | 7,490 |
| Annual | $31,200 | $36,830 | $40,470 | $49,090 | $52,000 | $42,440 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $18.74 | $25.64 | $25.64 | $27.69 | $28.00 | $25.27 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.14 |
| Annual | $38,980 | $53,340 | $53,340 | $57,590 | $58,250 | $52,570 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $19.28 | $23.83 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $23.75 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $40,100 | $49,570 | $52,000 | $52,000 | $52,000 | $49,400 | ||||
| Hawaii | Hourly | $17.11 | $17.91 | $24.78 | $25.37 | $27.58 | $23.02 | 130 | 0.20 | 4.18 |
| Annual | $35,590 | $37,250 | $51,540 | $52,760 | $57,370 | $47,880 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $18.24 | $18.51 | $22.22 | $24.97 | $28.71 | $23.10 | 1,990 | 0.11 | 2.26 |
| Annual | $37,940 | $38,500 | $46,220 | $51,940 | $59,730 | $48,050 | ||||
| Montana | Hourly | $19.00 | $21.43 | $21.50 | $22.29 | $23.39 | $21.72 | 50 | 0.11 | 2.17 |
| Annual | $39,520 | $44,560 | $44,720 | $46,370 | $48,660 | $45,180 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $18.24 | $18.51 | $22.22 | $24.97 | $28.71 | $23.10 | 1,990 | 0.11 | 2.26 |
| Annual | $37,940 | $38,500 | $46,220 | $51,940 | $59,730 | $48,050 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $12.96 | $16.21 | $17.81 | $18.80 | $19.71 | $17.14 | 1,220 | 0.09 | 1.81 |
| Annual | $26,960 | $33,730 | $37,040 | $39,110 | $41,000 | $35,640 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $13.92 | $15.37 | $17.31 | $18.38 | $21.86 | $17.29 | 310 | 0.03 | 0.64 |
| Annual | $28,950 | $31,980 | $36,010 | $38,220 | $45,470 | $35,960 | ||||
| North Carolina | Hourly | $13.44 | $14.08 | $17.30 | $19.72 | $19.83 | $16.80 | 260 | 0.05 | 1.09 |
| Annual | $27,940 | $29,290 | $35,980 | $41,010 | $41,250 | $34,940 | ||||
| Louisiana | Hourly | $11.80 | $15.02 | $17.95 | $21.31 | $22.49 | $18.17 | 250 | 0.13 | 2.65 |
| Annual | $24,540 | $31,240 | $37,340 | $44,330 | $46,780 | $37,800 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $16.60 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $24.00 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $34,520 | $52,000 | $52,000 | $52,000 | $52,000 | $49,920 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $18.25 | $20.71 | $24.25 | $28.32 | $30.00 | $24.09 | 300 | 0.13 | 2.62 |
| Annual | $37,950 | $43,080 | $50,440 | $58,910 | $62,410 | $50,110 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $18.07 | $21.07 | $22.72 | $26.29 | $28.88 | $24.49 | 550 | 0.09 | 1.80 |
| Annual | $37,590 | $43,830 | $47,260 | $54,670 | $60,080 | $50,930 | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Hourly | $18.51 | $18.51 | $22.49 | $25.05 | $28.15 | $22.55 | 350 | 0.21 | 4.29 |
| Annual | $38,500 | $38,500 | $46,780 | $52,110 | $58,550 | $46,900 | ||||
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | Hourly | $17.39 | $17.44 | $21.71 | $21.83 | $21.83 | $20.25 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $36,160 | $36,280 | $45,150 | $45,410 | $45,410 | $42,110 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $18.07 | $21.07 | $22.72 | $26.29 | $28.88 | $24.49 | 550 | 0.09 | 1.80 |
| Annual | $37,590 | $43,830 | $47,260 | $54,670 | $60,080 | $50,930 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $12.96 | $14.67 | $17.77 | $18.80 | $18.80 | $17.00 | 470 | 0.14 | 2.97 |
| Annual | $26,960 | $30,510 | $36,960 | $39,100 | $39,110 | $35,360 | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Hourly | $18.51 | $18.51 | $22.49 | $25.05 | $28.15 | $22.55 | 350 | 0.21 | 4.29 |
| Annual | $38,500 | $38,500 | $46,780 | $52,110 | $58,550 | $46,900 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $18.25 | $20.71 | $24.25 | $28.32 | $30.00 | $24.09 | 300 | 0.13 | 2.62 |
| Annual | $37,950 | $43,080 | $50,440 | $58,910 | $62,410 | $50,110 | ||||
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | Hourly | $18.26 | $18.30 | $20.29 | $23.37 | $26.72 | $21.49 | 260 | 0.17 | 3.50 |
| Annual | $37,990 | $38,060 | $42,210 | $48,600 | $55,580 | $44,700 | ||||
Top industries employing helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
Building Finishing Contractors employ 72.6% of helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons nationally (5,440 jobs) at a median $41,410 a year ($19.91 an hour), followed by Employment Services (4.1%) and Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors (1.9%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Finishing Contractors NAICS 238300 | 5,440 | 72.6% | $41,410 | $19.91 |
| Employment Services NAICS 561300 | 310 | 4.1% | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors NAICS 238100 | 140 | 1.9% | $49,600 | $23.84 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction NAICS 236200 | 90 | 1.2% | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Utility System Construction NAICS 237100 | 50 | 0.7% | $45,680 | $21.96 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (7,490). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $33,370 for helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons in May 2021 and $40,470 in May 2025, with employment of 8,940 and 7,490.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $33,370 | $16.04 | 8,940 |
| May 2022 | $36,080 | $17.35 | 8,630 |
| May 2023 | $37,010 | $17.79 | 7,700 |
| May 2024 | $38,140 | $18.34 | 7,220 |
| May 2025 | $40,470 | $19.46 | 7,490 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
25 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio profile | $25.64 | $53,340 | $38,980 | $58,250 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.14 |
| 2 | New York profile | $25.00 | $52,000 | $40,100 | $52,000 | ** | ** | ** |
| 3 | Hawaii profile | $24.78 | $51,540 | $35,590 | $57,370 | 130 | 0.20 | 4.18 |
| 4 | California profile | $22.22 | $46,220 | $37,940 | $59,730 | 1,990 | 0.11 | 2.26 |
| 5 | Montana profile | $21.50 | $44,720 | $39,520 | $48,660 | 50 | 0.11 | 2.17 |
| 6 | Utah profile | $21.39 | $44,500 | $36,160 | $47,460 | ** | ** | ** |
| 7 | Virginia profile | $20.75 | $43,160 | $33,710 | $50,650 | ** | ** | ** |
| 8 | Connecticut profile | $20.71 | $43,070 | $42,210 | $48,750 | ** | ** | ** |
| 9 | Colorado profile | $20.42 | $42,470 | $31,370 | $46,100 | ** | ** | ** |
| 10 | Oregon profile | $19.32 | $40,180 | $36,660 | $45,440 | 240 | 0.12 | 2.58 |
| 11 | Washington profile | $18.92 | $39,360 | $35,800 | $56,820 | 160 | 0.04 | 0.91 |
| 12 | Maryland profile | $18.79 | $39,080 | $31,200 | $43,900 | 90 | 0.03 | 0.70 |
| 13 | Idaho profile | $18.64 | $38,760 | $31,200 | $43,460 | 230 | 0.27 | 5.59 |
| 14 | Nevada profile | $18.43 | $38,330 | $36,560 | $46,460 | 80 | 0.05 | 1.02 |
| 15 | Louisiana profile | $17.95 | $37,340 | $24,540 | $46,780 | 250 | 0.13 | 2.65 |
| 16 | Texas profile | $17.81 | $37,040 | $26,960 | $41,000 | 1,220 | 0.09 | 1.81 |
| 17 | Indiana profile | $17.57 | $36,550 | $19,810 | $40,140 | ** | ** | ** |
| 18 | Tennessee profile | $17.37 | $36,130 | $27,060 | $40,470 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.22 |
| 19 | Florida profile | $17.31 | $36,010 | $28,950 | $45,470 | 310 | 0.03 | 0.64 |
| 20 | North Carolina profile | $17.30 | $35,980 | $27,940 | $41,250 | 260 | 0.05 | 1.09 |
| 21 | New Mexico profile | $17.24 | $35,860 | $29,660 | $44,830 | 50 | 0.06 | 1.18 |
| 22 | Georgia profile | $17.04 | $35,430 | $32,000 | $37,440 | ** | ** | ** |
| 23 | Arizona profile | $15.39 | $32,000 | $31,370 | $48,140 | 110 | 0.03 | 0.68 |
| 24 | Michigan profile | $14.57 | $30,300 | $28,890 | $68,060 | ** | ** | ** |
| 25 | Mississippi profile | $11.28 | $23,470 | $18,720 | $32,020 | 60 | 0.05 | 0.99 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (47-3010), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Construction and Extraction Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 47-3014 Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 47-3014, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 47-3014.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.