Paperhanger salary in the U.S.
Paperhangers in the U.S. earn a median of $52,140 a year ($25.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,050 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $53,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paperhangers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| 25th percentile | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Median | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| 75th percentile | $60,180 | $28.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,050 | $33.20 |
| Average (mean) | $53,730 | $25.83 |
Half of paperhangers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,345 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,172.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,005.38 |
| Weekly | $1,002.69 |
| Hourly | $25.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paperhanger salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| California | $62,790 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,800 | 30 |
| New York | $60,230 | 300 |
| Missouri | $59,560 | n/a |
| Indiana | $54,810 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $51,500 | n/a |
| Florida | $48,780 | 30 |
| North Carolina | $48,590 | 100 |
| Colorado | $48,180 | 130 |
| Ohio | $47,830 | 70 |
| South Carolina | $46,800 | 50 |
| Washington | $46,270 | n/a |
| Tennessee | $46,010 | 40 |
Best-paying metro areas for paperhangers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $71,270 | 30 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $63,450 | 220 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $59,990 | n/a |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $58,550 | n/a |
Metro areas with the most paperhangers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 220 | $63,450 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 30 | $71,270 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $47,120 | $22.66 |
| Electrician | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,850 | $28.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Roofer | $55,440 | $26.65 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 | $29.71 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Glazier | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,120 | $23.62 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2142. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paperhanger make in the U.S.?
The median salary for paperhangers in the U.S. is $52,140 a year, or $25.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paperhangers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of paperhangers in the U.S. earn at least $69,050 a year. The top 25% earn $60,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for paperhangers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,020 a year, and a quarter of paperhangers earn $44,890 or less.
How many paperhangers work in the U.S.?
About 1,570 paperhangers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.