How much does a Paperhanger make?
Paperhangers in the United States bring home a median salary of $52,140 a year, or around $25.07 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $36,020, while the top 10% earn $69,050.
That is $9,250 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Paperhanger salary range by percentile
Half of all Paperhangers earn between $44,890 and $60,180 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,020 | $17.32 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,890 | $21.58 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,140 | $25.07 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $60,180 | $28.93 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,050 | $33.20 |
Highest-paying states for Paperhanger
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. California leads the country for Paperhanger pay at $62,790 a year, followed by Pennsylvania ($61,800) and New York ($60,230). At the other end, Tennessee posts the lowest median at $46,010 — a gap of $16,780 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $62,790 | $30.19 | +20% |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $61,800 | $29.71 | +19% |
| 3 | New York | $60,230 | $28.96 | +16% |
| 4 | Missouri | $59,560 | $28.63 | +14% |
| 5 | Indiana | $54,810 | $26.35 | +5% |
Paperhanger salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 13 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 2,000 people work as Paperhangers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $53,730 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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