Paperhanger salary in California
Paperhangers in California earn a median of $62,790 a year ($30.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,120 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $52,140. California ranks 1st of 13 states for paperhangers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 paperhangers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $70,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paperhangers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,690 | $27.73 |
| 25th percentile | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Median | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| 75th percentile | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Average (mean) | $70,790 | $34.03 |
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 | $5,232.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,616.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,415 |
| Weekly | $1,207.50 |
| Hourly | $30.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paperhanger salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $71,270 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for paperhangers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $62,790 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,800 |
| New York | $60,230 |
| Missouri | $59,560 |
| Indiana | $54,810 |
| Wisconsin | $51,500 |
| Florida | $48,780 |
| North Carolina | $48,590 |
| Colorado | $48,180 |
| Ohio | $47,830 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for paperhangers in California is $62,790 a year, or $30.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paperhangers make in California?
The top 10% of paperhangers in California earn at least $97,120 a year. The top 25% earn $72,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for paperhangers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,690 a year, and a quarter of paperhangers earn $60,440 or less.
How many paperhangers work in California?
About 130 paperhangers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.