Tapers
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Tapers to decrease by -1.6% between 2024 and 2034, from 15,800 to 15,500 jobs. Its estimate of 900 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($68,270), education (No formal educational credential), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
15,800
Projected employment (2034)
15,500
Projected change (2024–2034)
-2%
Annual openings (projected average)
900
Pay & Preparation
$68,270
No formal educational credential
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Monitoring (2.88/5) • Active Listening (2.75/5) • Time Management (2.75/5) • Speaking (2.62/5) • Coordination (2.62/5) • Social Perceptiveness (2.62/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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