Paperhangers cover interior and exterior walls and ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper, fabric, vinyl, or attach advertising posters on surfaces, such as walls and billboards.

JOB DUTIES 

Paperhangers may:

Measure walls and ceilings to compute the amount of wall paper needed 

Set up the pasteboard and erect a scaffold

Remove old wallpaper by soaking or steaming it

Smooth rough spots on walls and ceilings with sandpaper

Fill holes, cracks, and other surface imperfections preparatory to covering surfaces

Check finished wall covering for proper alignment, pattern matching, and neatness of seams

Apply sizing (thin glue) to seal surfaces

Mark vertical guidelines on walls to position first strips, using plumb bobs and chalk lines

Measure and cut strips from rolls of wallpaper or fabric and apply paste

Place strips or sections of paper on walls, match edges, and smooth them

Trim rough edges from strips, using straightedges and trimming knives

Trim excess material at ceiling or baseboards, using knives

Click here to watch Paperhangers at work!

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

841.381-010 PAPERHANGERS cover interior and exterior walls and ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper, fabric, vinyl, or similar materials.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Paperhangers usually work without direct supervision. On small jobs, they may work alone. On large jobs, they work with other Paperhangers, apprentices, or helpers. They work in newly constructed or existing buildings, usually after all painting is completed.  Work areas are usually comfortable and well lighted.

Paperhangers must be careful to avoid such hazards as falls from ladders or scaffolds and muscle strains from reaching overhead.

Paperhangers usually work 35 to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. In the redecoration of offices, schools, and similar buildings, work may have to be done evenings or weekends when regular business is temporarily suspended. Paperhangers often travel from one job site to another.

Regularity of employment depends on construction activity and weather conditions. Bad weather may slow the work of finishing trades, such as Paperhangers, whose work can be done only after basic structures have been enclosed.

Paperhangers usually provide their own tools and equipment. They may need a vehicle for carrying equipment.

Some Paperhangers belong to such unions as the International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades. Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Performing activities involving special techniques and methods

• Working indoors

• Seeing the physical results of your work

You Should Be Able To:

• Plan and organize your work

• Compare/see differences in size/shape/form of lines/figures/objects

• Make judgments based on facts and experiences

• Follow written and spoken instructions

• Work accurately and meet set standards

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a room is 10 feet by 10 feet with a ceiling height of 8 feet, how many square feet of wallpaper will it take to cover the walls?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

A consumer is anyone who buys goods or services for personal use. At one time or another, everyone is a consumer.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a letter of apology to any customer that you may have angered on the job.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the most efficient way to hang wallpaper in a given room so it takes the least time as possible.

The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation.  Click here for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Residential Maintenance and Alteration Contractor for specific licensing information.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer; a High School diploma with specific Vocational Education classes or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0200 ART , 0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY 

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

025 COMMERCIAL PAINTING & SERVICES

Approved vocational education programs in Commercial Painting & Interior Treatment Services prepare students for occupations in the Home Furnishings and Equipment industry. Instruction includes assisting buyers in selecting and maintaining home furnishings, assisting interior designers, making slipcovers and draperies, and designing accessories for the home such as floral arrangements or decorations.

Courses in other home economics related programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Exploration Script. 

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program   

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

031 PAINTER-DECORATOR

Many people enter occupations within this Career Exploration Script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

You may find summer or part-time work as a Paperhanger's helper. Experience can be gained through a formal apprenticeship program which includes practical experience. Secondary vocational education programs in commercial painting and services might offer a co-op portion.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Paperhanger employer

internships

volunteer work with a Paperhanger employer

community service work with an agency

Most Paperhangers enter the trade by applying directly to employers and completing a formal apprenticeship. Assistance in locating a job may be obtained from local unions representing Paperhangers, high school placement offices, and apprenticeship information consultants at local offices of the Michigan Works!   In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services. 

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings vary according to the geographic area, the type of employer, and the extent of unionization.

Nationally, the average hourly wage rates for union Paperhangers are below those of many other union craft workers in the building trades. Nonunion Paperhanger's rates may be somewhat less than union rates.

Nationally, in early 2009, basic hourly wage rates for Painters (which include Paperhangers) working in residential construction averaged about $25.44 per hour.  Those working in the commercial construction field averaged about $36.45 per hour.  The median weekly earnings for most paperhangers were $649 or $16.23 per hour in 2008.The median hourly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $18.05 in 2008.

Hourly union rates, including fringe benefits, for Paperhangers in the construction industry in several Michigan areas (mid 2009) were:

Apprentice Paperhangers start at a rate of pay which is 50% of what journey worker Paperhangers earn. They receive periodic increases until the maximum pay rate is reached at the completion of the apprenticeship.

The 2007 graduates of high school vocational education programs in Michigan who are working in jobs related to this occupation earned a beginning average of $10.37 per hour in 2008.

Benefits for Paperhangers who belong to unions may include paid vacations, life and health insurance, and pension plans. These benefits are usually paid by employers to union trust funds established for these purposes. Self-employed Paperhangers must pay for their own benefits.

Experience, ability, and additional schooling help determine promotions. Individuals with business knowledge and enough money may start their own contracting firm.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 9,900 Paperhangers were employed in 2006.  About 37.6% of them were self-employed.  Most of those not self-employed, worked for special trades contractors, outdoor advertising or real estate businesses.  

Employment of Paperhangers is expected to decline rapidly through the year 2016.  The popularity of wallpaper and more durable wall coverings, such as vinyl, should stimulate the demand for paperhangers. However, the use of wall coverings more lasting than wallpaper and homeowners' do-it-yourself activities tend to limit demand and keep the employment growth lower than that for other construction occupations. In addition, since this is a relatively small trade, job openings will be far less numerous than for other construction occupations. The industry distribution for Paperhangers looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

Individuals wishing to enter paperhanging apprenticeships may face competition for positions. There are usually many more applicants than there are apprenticeship training positions.

There are 75 Paperhangers employed in Michigan.  Employment is expected to decline through the year 2016.  However, it is known that all worked in the construction industry for painting, paperhanging, and decorating contractors. Many Paperhangers were self-employed.  All openings are due to growth and replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons.  Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. Repair activities, and the increased use of fabric, plastic, and other wall coverings will spur the demand for Paperhangers. However, this demand will be slightly offset by the use of paint and pre-pasted, "do-it-yourself", wall coverings.

With the recent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009), Paperhangers should see a slight increase in employment opportunities in the Construction Industry.  These openings will increase the demand for experienced Paperhangers in Michigan. 

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2016

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth