Tapers
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
Also called: Drywall Finisher · Drywall Mechanic · Drywall Taper · Finisher · Taper
Median pay (national)
$64,700
$43,450–$106,160 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
12,500
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+0.1%
~1,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for tapers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $106,160 versus $43,450 at the bottom 10% — 2.4x. The median of $64,700 leaves roughly 64% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +0.1% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 26 states with released data, Illinois pays the most for this role (median $109,510, +69% vs the national median), while Florida sits lowest at $40,060 — a 173% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
- Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.
- Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
- Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
- Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.
- Work on high ceilings, using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.
- Select the correct sealing compound or tape.
- Countersink nails or screws below surfaces of walls before applying sealing compounds, using hammers or screwdrivers.
- Apply texturizing compounds or primers to walls or ceilings before final finishing, using trowels, brushes, rollers, or spray guns.
- Check adhesives to ensure that they will work and will remain durable.
Tools & technology
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Applied Computer Systems JOBPOWER
- Construction Software Center EasyEst
- DevWave Estimate Works
- Microsoft Dynamics
- On Center Quick Bid
- Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
- Microsoft Office software
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security