How much does a taper make?
The median taper in the United States earns $64,700 per year, about $31.11 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all tapers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-2082.
Taper salary range
Pay for tapers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $43,450 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $106,160. The average (mean) wage of $70,390 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 | $43,450 | $20.89 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,780 | $24.42 | |
| Median (50th) | $64,700 | $31.11 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $82,990 | $39.90 | |
| 90th percentile | $106,160 | $51.04 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for tapers (SOC 47-2082), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Taper salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Tapers earn the most in Illinois at $109,510 a year, and the least in Florida at $40,060. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $109,510 | 380 |
| Massachusetts | $107,670 | 290 |
| Hawaii | $97,790 | 180 |
| New Jersey | $96,350 | 40 |
| Oregon | $90,180 | 390 |
| Minnesota | $86,990 | 210 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,880 | 90 |
| Connecticut | $71,910 | 150 |
| Washington | $70,580 | 1,510 |
| New York | $70,150 | N/A |
| California | $69,670 | 3,790 |
| Ohio | $68,130 | 70 |
| Iowa | $65,440 | 70 |
| Indiana | $64,420 | 70 |
| Michigan | $62,090 | 270 |
| Missouri | $60,810 | 310 |
| New Mexico | $59,250 | 70 |
| Idaho | $58,670 | 40 |
| Colorado | $57,570 | 80 |
| Nevada | $57,350 | 990 |
| Utah | $54,580 | 400 |
| Maine | $51,880 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $49,150 | 70 |
| Arizona | $48,170 | 1,020 |
| Texas | $45,030 | 450 |
| Florida | $40,060 | N/A |
State median wages for tapers (SOC 47-2082), 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 tapers
The BLS projects employment of tapers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 1.6%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 15,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 15,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 900 openings a year for tapers. 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 taper
The typical entry-level education for tapers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-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 taper 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 (Illinois, $109,510) and the lowest (Florida, $40,060) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,500 people work as tapers in the United States. At $64,700 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Taper salary FAQ
How much does a taper make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a taper is $31.11. The middle half of tapers earn between $24.42 and $39.90 per hour.
What is the highest taper salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of tapers earn more than $106,160 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a taper make a year?
The median annual salary for a taper is $64,700. The average (mean) wage of $70,390 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 taper a well paid job?
At $64,700 a year, a taper earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,500 people work as tapers in the United States.
Which state pays tapers the most?
Illinois has the highest median salary for tapers at $109,510 a year. Massachusetts ($107,670) and Hawaii ($97,790) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a taper a good career?
Employment of tapers is projected to shrink 1.6% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a taper?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for tapers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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