Painter and Paperhanger
"Painter and Paperhanger" refers to professionals who specialize in the finishing trades, focusing on the application of paint, wallpaper, and other materials to enhance and protect various surfaces in construction or remodeling projects. These workers play a crucial role in the aesthetics of spaces, employing techniques such as faux finishes, texturing, and more. They may work in diverse environments including government agencies, private construction firms, or as self-employed individuals. The job typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training, with no formal educational credential necessary.
Painters and paperhangers must possess strong manual dexterity, a good sense of balance, and an understanding of color theory and materials. The work environment often involves physical labor and can include both indoor and outdoor tasks, presenting risks such as falls or exposure to hazardous substances. Those interested in this career can benefit from high school courses in mathematics, chemistry, and the arts, as well as practical experience in carpentry or construction. Overall, the field offers a steady career path with a median annual earning of around $47,700.
Painter and Paperhanger
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Architecture & Construction, Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
Interests: Art, applied arts, decorative arts, construction, carpentry
Earnings (Yearly Median): $47,700 per year $22.94 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 1% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education No formal educational credential
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Painting and paperhanging are considered finishing trades as they are among the last steps performed in new construction or remodeling jobs. By applying wallpaper, paint, stain, varnish, and other materials, painters and paperhangers finish and protect various surfaces and, in many cases, add final touches to decorating schemes. In addition to routine painting jobs, some painters provide a variety of decorative painting techniques, including faux finishes, texturing, rag-rolling, sponging, and marbling. Other painters are hired to paint numbers, letters, and symbols on roads, parking lots, and other outdoor locations.
Work Environment. Painters and paperhangers work in government agencies, for private contractors and construction companies, and in maintenance departments for colleges, hospitals, apartment complexes, and other institutions and businesses. Many painters and paperhangers are self-employed. Some painters specialize in automobiles, marine vehicles, or industrial facilities, such as water tanks and oil rigs. Their hours range from regular forty-hour weeks to seasonal work and part-time jobs. To accommodate client schedules, the painter or paperhanger may work some nights and weekends.
Occupation Interest. Painting and paperhanging tend to attract people who value aesthetics. They must be physically fit, with good manual dexterity, a sense of balance, and a steady hand. Math skills, technical knowledge, and artistic ability are also important. Self-employed painters and paperhangers also need strong business and communication skills.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The first steps undertaken in a painting or wallpapering job usually involve measuring and assessing the surface to be covered. The condition and type of surface, whether wood, metal, drywall, or plaster, determines the type of preparation needed. Old paint might have to be removed by scraping, wire-brushing, or sandblasting, while old wallpaper might need to be steamed off. Most surfaces at least need to be cleaned, and many need priming.
A paperhanger usually begins by marking a straight line using a level and plumb bob. Then, they measure and cut strips of wallpaper. If pre-pasted, the paper is rolled in a trough filled with water before being applied to the surface. Otherwise, the paperhanger brushes on adhesive or runs each strip of wallpaper through a pasting machine. Then, they attach the pieces to the wall in an orderly fashion, aligning edges and patterns and smoothing out any wrinkles and bubbles. Each piece is wiped, trimmed with a knife, and allowed to dry. In addition to paper, wall coverings made from vinyl and fabric are used.
Painters select the most appropriate type of paint and method of application based on the surface, location, condition, and client needs. They might need to mix multiple cans of paint to ensure consistent color coverage, or they might mix in additives that slow the drying time. They usually begin by trimming with a brush and then rolling the larger surfaces, taking care to cover brush strokes and roller marks. Depending on the surface, quality of paint, and color, a second or third coat might be applied. Painters apply stains, varnishes, polyurethane, shellac, and other materials.
Self-employed painters and paperhangers also handle advertising, billing, purchasing, cost estimates, and other business responsibilities.
Stage Setting Painters (840.681-010). Stage setting painters paint walls, interiors and exteriors of buildings, furniture, and other portions of motion picture sets.
Billposters (841.684-010). Billposters attach advertising posters on surfaces, such as walls and billboards. They remove the old poster before applying and aligning the new one to the billboard surface, fences, walls, or poles.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Painters work indoors year-round and outdoors when weather permits. Most work performed by paperhangers is done indoors. Painters and paperhangers are at risk for falls, knee, back, or neck problems, and exposure to toxic substances. Toxic fumes require ventilation systems while handling lead-based paint or asbestos mandates the use of complete safety equipment and unique treatment methods for removal.
Human Environment. Unless self-employed, painters and paperhangers report to supervisors for job assignments and work under supervision until they become experienced. They may then supervise assistants or apprentices. Some work alone or with a partner, while others work with a team. They also interact with clients, paint or wallpaper store clerks, interior decorators, office personnel, and/or construction workers.
Technological Environment. To remove old wallpaper and paint, painters and paperhangers use various hand and power tools, including steamers, blowtorches, sanders, and scrapers. Tools used for applying paint include rollers, brushes, and sprayers, while paperhangers use various measuring devices, knives, seam rollers, pasting machines, and other tools. They should be able to set up and properly use ladders and scaffolds. They may use two-way radios and cell phones for communication.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum required for most jobs. Whether enrolled in a vocational or academic program, aspiring painters and paperhangers should take courses in applied math and geometry, which are needed for measuring, calculating quantities of supplies, and handling cost estimates, among other tasks. Chemistry can provide an understanding of the properties of paint and other materials, while the arts will help mix colors and advise on color selection. English is necessary to read labels, signs, and blueprints and communicate with workers and the public. Experience in carpentry, construction, woodworking, or metal shop coursework provides valuable skills in working with tools.
Postsecondary. Most painters and paperhangers learn on the job through formal or informal apprenticeships that last between two and five years. The Finishing Trades Institute (FTI), sponsored by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, and other trade associations, offer apprenticeship programs. Courses may supplement or be taken in lieu of an apprenticeship and are offered through community colleges, continuing education programs, manufacturers, and trade associations. Those painters interested in learning decorative techniques might consider applied arts or finishing programs available through local schools of decorative arts, such as the School of Applied Arts in Denver.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
“Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail: Paperhangers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 24 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm#Construction%20and%20extraction%20occupations. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 47-2141 Painters, Construction and Maintenance.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes472141.htm. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 47-2142 Paperhangers.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes472142.htm. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
“Painters, Construction and Maintenance.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/painters-construction-and-maintenance.htm. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.