How to become a Helpers--Painter, Paperhanger or Plasterer, and Stucco Masons

Official title: Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons

Also called: Helper, Painter Assistant, Painter Helper, Plaster Helper, Plaster Tender

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.

Main tasks

• Clean work areas and equipment.
• Supply or hold tools and materials.
• Apply protective coverings, such as masking tape, to articles or areas that could be damaged or stained by work processes.
• Smooth surfaces of articles to be painted, using sanding and buffing tools and equipment.
• Erect scaffolding.
• Perform support duties to assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or masons.
• Fill cracks or breaks in surfaces of plaster articles or areas with putty or epoxy compounds.

How to become one

Construction laborers and helpers learn on the job. Although formal education is not typically required, some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Typical education to start: No formal educational credential

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $40,470 a year The middle half earn $36,830 to $49,090.
• About 7,600 people work in this job now, and about 7,700 are projected by 2035. (+1.5%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Related jobs

• Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
• Helpers--Carpenters
• Helpers--Electricians
• Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Helpers--Roofers

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Helpers--Painter, Paperhanger or Plasterer, and Stucco Masons?

Construction laborers and helpers learn on the job. Although formal education is not typically required, some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

How much does a Helpers--Painter, Paperhanger or Plasterer, and Stucco Masons earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $40,470 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $36,830 to $49,090.

Is a Helpers--Painter, Paperhanger or Plasterer, and Stucco Masons a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 7,600 people now and 7,700 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Helpers--Painter, Paperhanger or Plasterer, and Stucco Masons?

Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Helpers--Painter, Paperhanger or Plasterer, and Stucco Masons?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.