Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
Tapers
SOC: 47-2082 O*NET: 47-2082.00
Median Salary
$64,700
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
What does a Tapers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$43,450
10th percentile
Early Career
$50,780
25th percentile
Median
$64,700
50th percentile
Experienced
$82,990
75th percentile
Top Earners
$106,160
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$43,450
25th
$50,780
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$64,700
Mean: $70,390
75th
$82,990
90th
$106,160
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $62,710 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $50,780 and $82,990
- •Salary spread is 49.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 12,500 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:15,600
Top Industries
Construction99.1%
Specialty Trade Contractors86.6%
Building Finishing Contractors84.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.1%
Annual Openings:1,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)15,600
Current
2034 (Projected)15,600
+0.1%
0
Employment Change
+0.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Tapers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 26 locations
California
3,790 jobs$69,6702.59x
Washington
1,510 jobs$70,5805.28x
Arizona
1,020 jobs$48,1703.92x
Nevada
990 jobs$57,3507.96x
Texas
450 jobs$45,0300.40x
Utah
400 jobs$54,5802.88x
Oregon
390 jobs$90,1802.46x
Illinois
380 jobs$109,5100.78x
Missouri
310 jobs$60,8101.30x
Massachusetts
290 jobs$107,6700.98x
Michigan
270 jobs$62,0900.75x
Minnesota
210 jobs$86,9900.87x
Hawaii
180 jobs$97,7903.49x
Connecticut
150 jobs$71,9101.12x
Pennsylvania
90 jobs$81,8800.18x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What knowledge is required?
✓
Building and Construction
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Tapers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Office software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Remove extra compound after surfaces have been covered sufficiently.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Use mechanical applicators that spread compounds and embed tape in one operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Install metal molding at wall corners to secure wallboard.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Tapers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Tapers professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Tapers
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.85
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.69
Leadership
ImportantLeadership
Importance Level3.67
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.60
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.54
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.53
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
3.9
Attention to Detail
3.7
Leadership
3.7
Independence
3.6
Integrity
3.5
Cooperation
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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