Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
SOC Code: 47-3014
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons carries a 26% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $38,140 and +2.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 7,400 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 26% AI exposure, Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons sits 11 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 18% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons has ai exposure of 26%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons (SOC 47-3014) carries an AI exposure score of 26%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 7,400 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.3% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $38,140, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons. Public companies with meaningful exposure to this occupation, such as EMCOR Group, Inc. and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc., inherit a share of the same automation risk through their industry classification. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Registered Apprenticeship Pathway Available
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons is a recognized registered apprenticeship occupation under the DOL RAPIDS system. Earn while you train, apprentices typically start at ~$16/hr and reach $28–$46/hr upon completion, depending on the specific trade and region.
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Clean work areas and equipment.
- 2. Perform support duties to assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or masons.
- 3. Apply protective coverings, such as masking tape, to articles or areas that could be damaged or stained by work processes.
- 4. Smooth surfaces of articles to be painted, using sanding and buffing tools and equipment.
- 5. Mix plaster, and carry plaster to plasterers.
- 6. Erect scaffolding.
- 7. Fill cracks or breaks in surfaces of plaster articles or areas with putty or epoxy compounds.
- 8. Supply or hold tools and materials.
- 9. Place articles to be stripped into stripping tanks.
- 10. Remove articles such as cabinets, metal furniture, and paint containers from stripping tanks after prescribed periods of time.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Social Perceptiveness
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Service Orientation
Knowledge Areas
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
- Education and Training
- Transportation
- Mechanical
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons?
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons has an AI exposure score of 26%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons is projected to grow by 2.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 7,400 workers.
What skills are needed for Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons?
Key skills for Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons include Speaking, Coordination, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons earn?
The median annual wage for Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons is $38,140, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons?
The typical entry-level education for Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons?
Public companies with significant Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons workforce shares include EMCOR Group, Inc., Sterling Infrastructure, Inc., Quanta Services, Inc., among others. These employers are mapped by industry classification (SIC/NAICS) to BLS occupation-industry employment distributions. See the full employer rankings for AI displacement risk grades.
Employers with High AI Exposure in This Occupation Group
Public companies whose industry occupation mix includes a significant share of Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons roles.
| Company | AI Grade | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|
| EMCOR Group, Inc. | A | 31.7% |
| Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. | A | 31.7% |
| Quanta Services, Inc. | A | 31.7% |
| Comfort Systems USA Inc | A | 31.7% |
| Ferrovial SE | A | 31.7% |
| Horton D R Inc /De/ | A | 31.7% |
| Mastec Inc | A | 31.7% |
| Lennar Corp /New/ | A | 31.7% |
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).