Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in Tennessee, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$36,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $40,470
State Rank
#18 of 25
40 employed here

How much do Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons make in Tennessee?

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in Tennessee take home a median of $36,130 annually — roughly $17.37 an hour — which runs 11% below the national median of $40,470.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $27,060 while the top 10% make $40,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,450 and $36,300 a year.

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,060$13.01
25th percentile (early career)$28,450$13.68
50th percentile (median)$36,130$17.37
75th percentile (experienced)$36,300$17.45
90th percentile (top earners)$40,470$19.46

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 18th out of 25 states and territories for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Ohio$53,340
2New York$52,000
3Hawaii$51,540
4California$46,220
5Montana$44,720

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary in other states

Ohio $53,340New York $52,000Hawaii $51,540California $46,220Montana $44,720Utah $44,500Virginia $43,160Connecticut $43,070Colorado $42,470Oregon $40,180Washington $39,360Maryland $39,080Idaho $38,760Nevada $38,330Louisiana $37,340Texas $37,040Indiana $36,550Florida $36,010North Carolina $35,980New Mexico $35,860Georgia $35,430Arizona $32,000Michigan $30,300Mississippi $23,470

Working as Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in Tennessee

Nationally, about 7,000 people work as Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($36,130) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons make in Tennessee?
The median Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary in Tennessee is $36,130 per year, or about $17.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,060 at the entry level to $40,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons about 11% less than the national median of $40,470. Tennessee ranks 18th out of 25 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,130 a year. About 40 Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.