Paperhanger Salary
Paperhangers earn a median $52,140 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What paperhangers do
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.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.3% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 200
- Self-employed
- 32%
Employment of paperhangers is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Paperhanger take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,077
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,233
- Medicare (1.45%)$756
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$44,074
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,020 | $17.32 | $31,122 |
| 25th percentile | $44,890 | $21.58 | $38,249 |
| Median (50th) | $52,140 | $25.07 | $44,074 |
| 75th percentile | $60,180 | $28.93 | $50,535 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,050 | $33.20 | $57,407 |
Paperhanger salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $62,790 | +9.5% | $49,999 | $57,690 – $97,120 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,800 | +9.1% | $49,939 | $46,030 – $63,590 | 30 |
| New York | $60,230 | +6.9% | $47,919 | $52,130 – $76,130 | 300 |
| Missouri | $59,560 | — | $48,174 | $51,970 – $68,890 | — |
| Indiana | $54,810 | — | $44,632 | $41,330 – $60,570 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $51,500 | +31.6% | $42,075 | $35,060 – $59,990 | — |
| Florida | $48,780 | +3.7% | $41,375 | $27,730 – $51,490 | 30 |
| North Carolina | $48,590 | +36.0% | $39,792 | $25,070 – $58,600 | 100 |
| Colorado | $48,180 | +2.9% | $39,481 | $42,810 – $58,550 | 130 |
| Ohio | $47,830 | +6.9% | $40,078 | $44,050 – $60,180 | 70 |
| South Carolina | $46,800 | — | $38,133 | $42,730 – $59,920 | 50 |
| Washington | $46,270 | — | $39,358 | $44,160 – $73,720 | — |
| Tennessee | $46,010 | — | $39,149 | $40,410 – $51,040 | 40 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,400 | No formal educational credential | +3.0% |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $53,140 | High school diploma or equivalent | +36.5% |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $53,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.9% |
| Floor Sander and Finisher | $50,440 | No formal educational credential | +1.4% |
| Carpet Installer | $50,340 | No formal educational credential | -16.4% |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,120 | No formal educational credential | +2.4% |
| Pipelayer | $49,000 | No formal educational credential | -3.1% |
| Roofer | $55,440 | No formal educational credential | +5.3% |
| Tile and Stone Setter | $55,690 | No formal educational credential | +9.8% |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $56,460 | No formal educational credential | +9.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paperhanger make?
The national median salary for paperhangers is $52,140 a year ($25.07 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,020 and the top 10% earn over $69,050. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays paperhangers the most?
California has the highest median pay at $62,790.
How many paperhangers are there in the U.S.?
About 1,570 people work as paperhangers nationwide.