How to become a helpers--painter, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
Help painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons do
- Clean work areas and equipment.
- Supply or hold tools and materials.
- Smooth surfaces of articles to be painted, using sanding and buffing tools and equipment.
- Perform support duties to assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or masons.
- Fill cracks or breaks in surfaces of plaster articles or areas with putty or epoxy compounds.
- Apply protective coverings, such as masking tape, to articles or areas that could be damaged or stained by work processes.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Is helpers--painter, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 21% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Ohio $53,340
- Hawaii $51,540
- California $46,220
- Montana $44,720
- Oregon $40,180
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.