Occupation · SOC 47-3014
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
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.
Median wage
$38,140
$31,360–$51,720
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
7,220
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
4 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingCoordination
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Accounting softwareOffice suite softwareProject management softwareSpreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Clean work areas and equipment.Perform support duties to assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or masons.Apply protective coverings, such as masking tape, to articles or areas that could be damaged or stained by work processes.Erect scaffolding.Fill cracks or breaks in surfaces of plaster articles or areas with putty or epoxy compounds.Supply or hold tools and materials.Smooth surfaces of articles to be painted, using sanding and buffing tools and equipment.Mix plaster, and carry plaster to plasterers.Place articles to be stripped into stripping tanks.Remove articles such as cabinets, metal furniture, and paint containers from stripping tanks after prescribed periods of time.Pour specified amounts of chemical solutions into stripping tanks.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Work area surfaces and equipment — clean and remove debris under direct supervision at the start and end of each shift on a residential job site.Masking tape and protective sheeting — apply to fixtures, trim, and adjacent surfaces following step-by-step direction before painting or plastering begins.Hand tools and supply materials — hold, carry, and pass to journey-level painters or plasterers as instructed during active work operations.Scaffold components — assist in erecting basic scaffolding under close supervision, following verbal instructions and safety protocols on low-rise structures.Surface cracks and small breaks — fill with premixed putty or epoxy compound under direct guidance on interior plaster walls.Job site safety rules — recognize and follow basic hazard-avoidance protocols, including PPE use, while assisting experienced tradespeople.Simple verbal instructions — receive and confirm understanding of task assignments by asking clarifying questions and repeating directions back to the supervisor.Building materials and supplies — sort, stack, and organize paint cans, plaster mix, and tools in a designated staging area to maintain workflow efficiency.Protective drop cloths — place and secure over flooring and furniture under supervision prior to surface preparation or finishing work.Physical tasks involving lifting and reaching — perform repetitive material-handling duties such as carrying buckets or boards while maintaining body balance on ground-level sites.
developing
Work areas and equipment — clean thoroughly and reset between tasks with minimal oversight, maintaining a tidy job site throughout the workday.Masking tape, plastic sheeting, and protective coverings — select appropriate materials and apply independently to complex surfaces such as window frames, cabinetry, and electrical fixtures.Tools and consumable materials — anticipate supply needs and stage equipment for painters or plasterers before requests are made, reducing workflow interruptions.Scaffolding structures — erect and dismantle standard scaffold configurations on two- to three-story commercial or residential projects following manufacturer guidelines and safety codes.Cracks, holes, and surface imperfections — assess and fill using putty, epoxy, or patching compound with consistent finish quality on both plaster and drywall surfaces.Support duties across multiple trades — coordinate assistance for painters, paperhangers, and plasterers concurrently on multi-trade job sites with moderate supervision.Verbal communication with crew members — relay task updates and material status clearly and concisely to supervisors and fellow helpers during active construction operations.Surface preparation steps — sand, wire-brush, and clean substrate areas in preparation for painting or plastering, applying learned technique with growing consistency.Body coordination and manual dexterity — execute overhead and lateral tool-handling tasks steadily while positioned on elevated platforms or narrow scaffold boards.Basic recordkeeping — track material usage and supply inventory using simple spreadsheet or word processing software as directed by the site supervisor.
proficient
Full support cycle — independently manage all helper duties across preparation, active work, and cleanup phases for painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons on large commercial projects.Protective coverings and masking systems — devise and apply comprehensive surface-protection plans for complex interior environments, preventing damage to finished millwork and specialty fixtures.Scaffold systems — plan, erect, and inspect multi-level scaffolding configurations, identify load or stability issues, and implement corrective measures before crews ascend.Crack and surface repair — diagnose underlying causes of surface failures and select the appropriate filler compound, texture match, and application method for lasting repairs.Material and tool coordination — organize and manage the staging, replenishment, and proper storage of all trade materials to sustain uninterrupted production across a full workday.Non-routine hazards — recognize and respond to unexpected site conditions such as deteriorating plaster, lead paint indicators, or unstable substrates and escalate appropriately.Cross-trade communication — communicate technical needs and schedule conflicts clearly to painters, plasterers, site supervisors, and subcontractors to maintain project momentum.Physical endurance and body equilibrium — sustain elevated work positions and static-strength tasks across extended shifts while modeling safe body mechanics for newer helpers.Quality inspection — review completed preparation work against trade standards, identify deficiencies, and correct them before journey-level finishing crews advance to the next phase.Project support documentation — compile accurate daily logs of materials used, areas completed, and supply shortfalls using office suite or project management software tools.
advanced
Helper crew operations — direct and coordinate a team of emerging and developing helpers across multiple active work zones, assigning tasks to match individual skill levels and project priorities.Onboarding and skills development — design and deliver hands-on orientation routines that accelerate new helpers' proficiency in surface preparation, protective covering, and scaffold safety.Site-wide scaffold planning — lead the layout and phased erection of scaffold systems across large multi-story commercial or institutional projects, ensuring code compliance and crew safety.Quality and safety standards — establish and enforce job site preparation and cleanup standards, conducting regular walk-throughs and correcting deficiencies before they impact trade productivity.Material procurement coordination — liaise with site supervisors and procurement staff to forecast supply needs, reduce waste, and prevent work stoppages through proactive inventory management.Mentorship in physical techniques — coach helpers on proper use of gross body coordination, arm-hand steadiness, and static-strength techniques to reduce injury risk and improve output quality.Cross-functional collaboration — serve as the primary point of contact between helper crews and journey-level trade professionals, translating production goals into clear daily work assignments.Workforce documentation and reporting — oversee accurate completion of crew productivity logs, safety incident reports, and supply records using project management and spreadsheet software.Continuous improvement initiatives — identify recurring preparation defects or workflow bottlenecks and propose process changes to site leadership that improve overall finishing trade efficiency.Professional conduct and crew culture — model dependability, cooperation, and integrity on site, building a team environment that reflects industry standards for craftsmanship and mutual respect.
Also known as
35 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Shipyard Painter HelperHydroblasterWallpaperer HelperHeavy Repair Superintendent (Air Force 3E290)Paperhanger AssistantBuilder (Navy 002594)Billboard Poster HelperMason's TenderSwimming Pool Plasterer HelperPlasterer TenderPainter Helper, ShipyardOrnamental Plasterer HelperShip Painter HelperPressure WasherPainter HelperWallpaper Hanger HelperShipyard HelperStructural (Air Force 3E3X1)House Painter HelperPower WasherDry Plasterer HelperBuilder (Navy BU)Structural Craftsman (Air Force 3E371)Structural Journeyman (Air Force 3E351)Bridge Painter HelperExterior Work HelperPlaster HelperStructural Apprentice (Air Force 3E331)Advanced Builder (Navy B13A)Plaster TenderHighway Painter HelperStructural Helper (Air Force 3E311)Painter AssistantScaffolding HelperCarpentry and Masonry Specialist (Army 12W)