Tapers
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
Tapers seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering. The role reports a median annual salary of $64,700 in the US and is projected to grow 10% over the next decade (faster than average). Entry typically requires a No formal educational credential, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.44 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Monitoring, Speaking, Time Management, Critical Thinking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £34,016 a year for Plasterers (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 5321). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Tapers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
What you'd actually do
- Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
- Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
- Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.
- Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
- Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
- Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Tapers do?
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
How much does Tapers earn?
The median annual salary for Tapers in the US is $64,700.
What is the job outlook for Tapers?
The role is projected to grow 10% over the next decade (faster than average). Current US employment is approximately 15,600 workers.
How do I become a tapers?
The typical entry education is a No formal educational credential. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Tapers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Monitoring, Speaking, Time Management, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Tapers?
Our AI-durability model gives Tapers a score of 0.44 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Tapers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.