How much does a paperhanger make?
The median paperhanger in the United States earns $48,260 per year, about $23.20 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all paperhangers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-2142.
Paperhanger salary range
Pay for paperhangers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,020 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $69,470. The average (mean) wage of $51,900 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,020 | $16.84 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $40,930 | $19.68 | |
| Median (50th) | $48,260 | $23.20 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $58,470 | $28.11 | |
| 90th percentile | $69,470 | $33.40 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for paperhangers (SOC 47-2142), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Paperhanger salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Paperhangers earn the most in New Jersey at $58,240 a year, and the least in North Carolina at $35,740. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $58,240 | 60 |
| California | $57,330 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $56,630 | 30 |
| New York | $56,360 | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $51,810 | 50 |
| Michigan | $47,160 | 50 |
| Florida | $47,060 | 110 |
| Colorado | $46,830 | N/A |
| Ohio | $44,740 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $39,130 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $35,740 | N/A |
State median wages for paperhangers (SOC 47-2142), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for paperhangers
The BLS projects employment of paperhangers to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 2,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 2,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 200 openings a year for paperhangers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a paperhanger
The typical entry-level education for paperhangers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a paperhanger earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $58,240) and the lowest (North Carolina, $35,740) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,520 people work as paperhangers in the United States. At $48,260 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Paperhanger salary FAQ
How much does a paperhanger make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a paperhanger is $23.20. The middle half of paperhangers earn between $19.68 and $28.11 per hour.
What is the highest paperhanger salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of paperhangers earn more than $69,470 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a paperhanger make a year?
The median annual salary for a paperhanger is $48,260. The average (mean) wage of $51,900 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a paperhanger a well paid job?
At $48,260 a year, a paperhanger earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,520 people work as paperhangers in the United States.
Which state pays paperhangers the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for paperhangers at $58,240 a year. California ($57,330) and Pennsylvania ($56,630) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a paperhanger a good career?
Employment of paperhangers is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a paperhanger?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for paperhangers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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