Taper salary in Washington
Tapers in Washington earn a median of $79,040 a year ($38.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,550 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,880 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $68,270. Washington ranks 4th of 27 states for tapers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.44 tapers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,070, close to the median.
Pay range for tapers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| 25th percentile | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Median | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| 75th percentile | $85,000 | $40.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,880 | $49.94 |
| Average (mean) | $77,070 | $37.05 |
Half of tapers 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 | $6,586.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,293.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,040 |
| Weekly | $1,520 |
| Hourly | $38.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Taper salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $92,490 | 360 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $80,340 | 1,120 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $66,830 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for tapers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $113,180 |
| Hawaii | $95,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,240 |
| Washington | $79,040 |
| Minnesota | $78,090 |
| New York | $77,790 |
| Kansas | $74,120 |
| Ohio | $73,840 |
| California | $73,460 |
| Oregon | $71,450 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| Construction Laborer | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| Electrician | $95,220 | $45.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $81,030 | $38.96 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Roofer | $60,640 | $29.16 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $67,750 | $32.57 |
| Glazier | $66,860 | $32.14 |
| Pipelayer | $82,450 | $39.64 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $107,660 | $51.76 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Washington
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2082. 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 taper make in Washington?
The median salary for tapers in Washington is $79,040 a year, or $38.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tapers make in Washington?
The top 10% of tapers in Washington earn at least $103,880 a year. The top 25% earn $85,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for tapers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,650 a year, and a quarter of tapers earn $60,630 or less.
How many tapers work in Washington?
About 1,550 tapers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.