Taper Salary
Tapers earn a median $68,270 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What tapers do
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -1.6% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 900
- Self-employed
- 19%
Employment of tapers is projected to shrink 1.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 900 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.
Taper take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,189
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,233
- Medicare (1.45%)$990
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$56,858
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,670 | $21.00 | $37,269 |
| 25th percentile | $52,730 | $25.35 | $44,549 |
| Median (50th) | $68,270 | $32.82 | $56,858 |
| 75th percentile | $88,540 | $42.57 | $71,118 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,110 | $51.50 | $84,182 |
Taper salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $113,180 | +3.4% | $82,995 | $79,230 – $116,500 | 320 |
| Hawaii | $95,490 | −2.4% | $70,280 | $48,890 – $101,610 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,240 | +0.4% | $64,161 | $37,650 – $105,190 | 60 |
| Washington | $79,040 | +12.0% | $64,435 | $50,650 – $103,880 | 1,550 |
| Minnesota | $78,090 | −10.2% | $59,980 | $72,230 – $89,370 | 220 |
| New York | $77,790 | +10.9% | $59,952 | $52,900 – $108,660 | — |
| Kansas | $74,120 | — | $57,637 | $49,900 – $81,040 | 30 |
| Ohio | $73,840 | +8.4% | $59,528 | $64,300 – $97,170 | 110 |
| California | $73,460 | +5.4% | $56,889 | $45,800 – $115,370 | 4,540 |
| Oregon | $71,450 | −20.8% | $53,673 | $48,620 – $100,880 | 500 |
| Iowa | $66,980 | +2.4% | $54,057 | $55,920 – $70,400 | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $65,060 | −39.6% | $51,423 | $37,670 – $115,390 | 510 |
| Michigan | $63,630 | +2.5% | $50,853 | $60,890 – $70,620 | 190 |
| Connecticut | $63,600 | −11.6% | $51,346 | $48,000 – $84,580 | 80 |
| Missouri | $63,020 | +3.6% | $50,792 | $48,230 – $83,330 | 220 |
| Nevada | $60,690 | +5.8% | $50,944 | $43,840 – $101,090 | 1,190 |
| Wisconsin | $57,840 | +17.7% | $46,891 | $21,490 – $89,660 | 70 |
| Idaho | $57,690 | −1.7% | $46,585 | $36,930 – $93,130 | 310 |
| Arizona | $56,300 | +16.9% | $46,218 | $39,780 – $76,610 | 780 |
| Colorado | $54,500 | −5.3% | $44,281 | $49,240 – $55,930 | — |
| Utah | $52,930 | −3.0% | $43,293 | $38,400 – $72,890 | 210 |
| Florida | $49,400 | +23.3% | $41,873 | $39,020 – $54,080 | — |
| New Mexico | $48,320 | −18.4% | $39,895 | $45,730 – $60,780 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $45,770 | — | $37,639 | $34,750 – $46,040 | — |
| Texas | $43,670 | −3.0% | $37,269 | $36,880 – $47,620 | 220 |
| Indiana | $42,810 | −33.5% | $35,344 | $36,400 – $110,340 | 120 |
| West Virginia | $41,600 | — | $34,453 | $31,200 – $61,520 | 30 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer | $58,930 | No formal educational credential | +2.5% |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.8% |
| Pile Driver Operator | $73,300 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.7% |
| Electrician | $63,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.2% |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Brickmason and Blockmason | $62,120 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.1% |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.5% |
| Carpenter | $60,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| Terrazzo Worker and Finisher | $76,170 | High school diploma or equivalent | -13.0% |
| Boilermaker | $76,410 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taper make?
The national median salary for tapers is $68,270 a year ($32.82 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,670 and the top 10% earn over $107,110. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays tapers the most?
Illinois has the highest median pay at $113,180.
How many tapers are there in the U.S.?
About 12,840 people work as tapers nationwide.