Life As a Paperhanger
Job Description: Cover interior walls or ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, or attach advertising posters on surfaces such as walls and billboards. May remove old materials or prepare surfaces to be papered.
Daily Life Of a Paperhanger
- Apply adhesives to the backs of paper strips, using brushes, or dunk strips of prepasted wallcovering in water, wiping off any excess adhesive.
- Trim excess material at ceilings or baseboards, using knives.
- Smooth rough spots on walls and ceilings, using sandpaper.
- Mark vertical guidelines on walls to align strips, using plumb bobs and chalk lines.
- Staple or tack advertising posters onto fences, walls, billboards, or poles.
- Measure surfaces or review work orders to estimate the quantities of materials needed.
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Skills Needed to be a Paperhanger
Below is a list of the skills most Paperhangers say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Vinyl Hanger
- Billboard Poster
- Wallpaper Installer
- Wallcovering Hanger
- Bill Board Poster
What Kind of Paperhanger Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 5,700 jobs for Paperhanger in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 300 new jobs for Paperhanger by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 500 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Paperhanger are Iowa, Florida, and North Carolina. Watch out if you plan on working in Tennessee, New Mexico, or Nebraska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Paperhanger
The typical yearly salary for Paperhangers is somewhere between $26,700 and $58,570.

Paperhangers who work in New York, California, or Michigan, make the highest salaries.
How much do Paperhangers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $43,200 |
Arizona | $35,780 |
Arkansas | $31,460 |
California | $50,130 |
Colorado | $42,730 |
Florida | $36,850 |
Michigan | $39,830 |
Missouri | $36,940 |
Montana | $27,840 |
New Mexico | $34,400 |
New York | $45,650 |
North Carolina | $41,450 |
Ohio | $40,580 |
Oklahoma | $33,630 |
Pennsylvania | $36,910 |
Texas | $36,970 |
Washington | $38,250 |
What Tools do Paperhangers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Paperhangers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
- On Center Quick Bid
- Construction Software Center EasyEst
- A-Systems Jobview
How do I Become a Paperhanger?
Learn what Paperhanger education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a Paperhanger?

Who Employs Paperhangers?

Paperhangers work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: Margo Wright via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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