Updated · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons Salary

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons earn a median $40,470 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations

U.S. median
$40,470
$19.46 per hour
Range
$31,200 – $52,000
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
7,490
across the U.S.
▲6.1%
Pay trend: The median for helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons in the U.S. rose from $38,140 (May 2024) to $40,470 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 3.7%.

What helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons do

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. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons are classified under "Construction Laborers" (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).

Typical education
No formal educational credential
Work experience
None required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
+1.5% (slower than average)
Openings per year
700
Self-employed
2%

Employment of helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 700 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.

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Deductions, kids & local tax

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay
$34,698
per year · effective tax rate 14.3%
$2,891Monthly
$1,446Twice a month
$1,335Every 2 weeks
$16.68Hourly
  • Federal income tax$2,676
  • Social Security (6.2%)$2,509
  • Medicare (1.45%)$587
  • Texas income tax$0
  • Take-home pay$34,698

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

PercentileSalaryHourlyTake-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00$27,249
25th percentile$36,830$17.71$31,773
Median (50th)$40,470$19.46$34,698
75th percentile$49,090$23.60$41,624
90th percentile (top earners)$52,000$25.00$43,962

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary by state

StateMedian1-yr changeTake-homeRangeJobs
Ohio $53,340+2.6%$44,354 $38,980 – $58,25040
New York $52,000—$41,751 $40,100 – $52,000—
Hawaii $51,540+30.4%$41,197 $35,590 – $57,370130
California $46,220+1.1%$37,879 $37,940 – $59,7301,990
Montana $44,720—$36,767 $39,520 – $48,66050
Utah $44,500+9.6%$36,899 $36,160 – $47,460—
Virginia $43,160+23.7%$35,191 $33,710 – $50,650—
Connecticut $43,070—$35,774 $42,210 – $48,750—
Colorado $42,470−2.9%$35,144 $31,370 – $46,100—
Oregon $40,180+2.1%$31,779 $36,660 – $45,440240
Washington $39,360+3.4%$33,806 $35,800 – $56,820160
Maryland $39,080−1.8%$32,088 $31,200 – $43,90090
Idaho $38,760−1.5%$32,378 $31,200 – $43,460230
Nevada $38,330+2.6%$32,978 $36,560 – $46,46080
Louisiana $37,340−5.3%$31,449 $24,540 – $46,780250
Texas $37,040+2.8%$31,942 $26,960 – $41,0001,220
Indiana $36,550+0.1%$30,499 $19,810 – $40,140—
Tennessee $36,130—$31,210 $27,060 – $40,47040
Florida $36,010+0.9%$31,114 $28,950 – $45,470310
North Carolina $35,980+2.9%$30,163 $27,940 – $41,250260
New Mexico $35,860−4.2%$30,419 $29,660 – $44,83050
Georgia $35,430+6.5%$29,432 $32,000 – $37,440—
Arizona $32,000−14.1%$27,301 $31,370 – $48,140110
Michigan $30,300−15.6%$25,489 $28,890 – $68,060—
Mississippi $23,470—$20,731 $18,720 – $32,02060

Related jobs

JobMedian salaryEducationGrowth 2025–35
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$42,360High school diploma or equivalent+2.4%
Helpers--Electrician$42,670High school diploma or equivalent+0.6%
Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other$42,670No formal educational credential-1.0%
Helpers--Carpenter$43,780No formal educational credential-1.7%
Helpers--Roofer$44,160No formal educational credential-0.1%
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters$47,550No formal educational credential-11.7%
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas$46,960No formal educational credential+3.6%
Construction Laborer$47,120No formal educational credential+7.3%
Helpers--Extraction Worker$47,730High school diploma or equivalent+1.7%
Fence Erector$47,980No formal educational credential+5.6%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons make?

The national median salary for helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons is $40,470 a year ($19.46 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,200 and the top 10% earn over $52,000. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons the most?

Ohio has the highest median pay at $53,340.

How many helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons are there in the U.S.?

About 7,490 people work as helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons nationwide.