Occupation · SOC 47-2142
Paperhangers
Cover interior walls or ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, or attach advertising posters on surfaces such as walls and billboards. May remove old materials or prepare surfaces to be papered.
Median wage
$48,260
$35,020–$69,470
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
1,520
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
5 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingCoordinationActive ListeningTime ManagementCritical ThinkingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingTroubleshootingNegotiationMathematicsLearning StrategiesInstructingActive LearningSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesEquipment SelectionOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignScienceManagement of Financial ResourcesInstallationRepairingProgrammingEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceBuilding and ConstructionMathematicsMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageDesignEducation and TrainingSales and MarketingProduction and ProcessingChemistryEngineering and TechnologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesEconomics and AccountingAdministrativePsychologyTransportationComputers and ElectronicsLaw and GovernmentMedicine and DentistryGeographyPhysicsSociology and AnthropologyCommunications and MediaPhilosophy and TheologyFine ArtsBiologyTelecommunicationsHistory and ArcheologyForeign LanguageTherapy and CounselingFood Production
Technology & tools
A-Systems JobViewConstruction Software Center EasyEstCorel PainterElectronic data interchange EDI softwareGoogle DocsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordOn Center Quick BidPlanSwiftTurtle Creek Software Goldenseal
Representative tasks
Performing General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleScheduling Work and ActivitiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationGetting InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersTraining and Teaching OthersThinking CreativelyGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoaching and Developing OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsControlling Machines and ProcessesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesProcessing InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDocumenting/Recording InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentPerforming Administrative ActivitiesWorking with ComputersAnalyzing Data or InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Wallpaper strips — smooth with brushes or rollers under direct supervision to remove visible wrinkles and bubbles on interior residential walls.Rough edges — trim from paper strips using a straightedge and trimming knife while following step-by-step guidance on a training job site.Excess wallcovering material — cut away at ceilings and baseboards using a utility knife under close direction from a journeyman paperhanger.Finished wallcovering sections — inspect for obvious misalignment and pattern-matching errors by following a supervisor-provided checklist.Vertical guidelines — mark on interior walls using a plumb bob and chalk line with assistance from an experienced crew member.Basic hand tools — identify and handle correctly in preparation for covering interior walls and ceilings on a supervised residential project.Prepasted wallcovering strips — dunk in water and wipe excess adhesive following manufacturer instructions under direct oversight.Wallpaper rolls — measure and cut strips using shears or razors according to dimensions provided by a lead paperhanger on site.Customer service expectations — recognize and respond politely to basic homeowner inquiries during supervised interior finishing work.Safety procedures — follow established protocols for ladder use and tool handling on a residential wallcovering job site.
developing
Wallcovering strips — smooth with brushes and seam rollers independently, resolving minor bubbles and joint imperfections on standard interior walls.Trimming knives and straightedges — use with consistent accuracy to remove rough edges from strips on routine single-family residential installations.Excess material at ceilings and baseboards — trim neatly and efficiently using utility knives with minimal rework on familiar wall configurations.Pattern alignment and seam quality — check finished wallcoverings against project specifications and correct minor issues without supervisory input.Plumb bobs and chalk lines — apply to establish accurate vertical reference lines independently across multiple rooms in a standard residential project.Interior walls and ceilings — cover with decorative wallpaper or fabric using appropriate hand tools on routine jobs with reduced oversight.Adhesive application — brush paste evenly onto strip backs or activate prepasted coverings, adjusting technique for varying paper weights and room conditions.Strip length and pattern repeats — measure and cut from rolls using shears or razors, accounting for pattern matching across adjacent strips.Project progress — communicate clearly with homeowners and contractors about scheduling and material needs during active wallcovering installations.Material quantities — calculate roll requirements using basic math and measurements to minimize waste on standard residential projects.
proficient
Complex seam areas and tight corners — smooth wallcovering strips to a flawless finish autonomously using advanced brushing and rolling techniques on commercial and high-end residential sites.Fabric and specialty wallcoverings — trim edges precisely with straightedges and trimming knives, adapting technique to delicate or non-standard materials without supervision.Ceiling and baseboard intersections — cut excess material cleanly and efficiently across diverse architectural profiles encountered in full-scope residential and light commercial installations.Finished installations — evaluate pattern matching, seam alignment, and overall neatness against exacting quality standards, identifying and resolving non-routine defects independently.Vertical layout plans — design and mark comprehensive guideline systems on curved, angled, or irregular wall surfaces using plumb bobs, chalk lines, and digital leveling tools.Full room wallcovering installations — execute independently from substrate preparation through final inspection, covering walls and ceilings with paper, fabric, or specialty materials.Adhesive selection and application — match paste type and consistency to substrate and covering material, troubleshooting adhesion failures and surface irregularities on varied job sites.Roll and strip optimization — measure, cut, and sequence strips from multiple rolls to maximize pattern continuity and minimize material waste on complex multi-room projects.Customer concerns and quality disputes — address directly with clear explanation and corrective action, maintaining client satisfaction throughout a project lifecycle.Project management software — use to track job progress, material orders, and scheduling across concurrent residential and commercial wallcovering projects.
advanced
Crew performance standards — set and enforce smoothing, trimming, and finishing benchmarks for teams of paperhangers across multiple simultaneous commercial and residential job sites.Apprentice skill development — coach entry-level workers in proper trimming knife technique, straightedge use, and material handling through structured on-the-job mentoring programs.Installation quality systems — design inspection checklists and quality-control processes covering pattern alignment, seam integrity, and material adherence for an entire contracting operation.Vertical layout methodologies — establish company-wide best practices for marking guidelines on complex architectural features, documenting procedures for field team reference.Business development strategy — leverage customer service and personal service knowledge to build client relationships, generate referrals, and grow a wallcovering contracting business.Material procurement and vendor relationships — negotiate pricing, evaluate new wallcovering products, and manage inventory systems using spreadsheet and enterprise software to control job costs.Safety and compliance programs — develop and enforce public safety and security protocols for ladder, adhesive, and chemical handling across all field operations.Estimating and bidding systems — create standardized templates using accounting and project management software to produce accurate bids for large-scale commercial wallcovering contracts.Trade training curriculum — design and deliver apprenticeship or vocational training modules covering measurement, cutting, adhesive application, and finishing for new market entrants.Operational leadership — direct the full business functions of a wallcovering contracting firm, aligning field execution, administration, and client management toward sustained growth.
Also known as
23 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Advertising InstallerAdvertising PosterBill Board PosterBill PosterBill Poster InstallerBillboard PosterGraphics InstallerHangerInstallerPaper HangerPaperhangerPaperhanging Interior DecoratorPosterVinyl HangerVinyl InstallerWall Covering ContractorWall Covering InstallerWall Paper HangerWallcovering HangerWallpaper HangerWallpaper InstallerWallpaper RemoverWallpaperer