Paperhangers
SOC Code: 47-2142
Paperhangers carries a 33% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $48,260 and +5.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 2,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Paperhangers (SOC 47-2142) carries an AI exposure score of 33%, 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 2,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.3% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $48,260, 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 Paperhangers. 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
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Smooth strips or sections of paper with brushes or rollers to remove wrinkles and bubbles and to smooth joints.
- 2. Trim rough edges from strips, using straightedges and trimming knives.
- 3. Trim excess material at ceilings or baseboards, using knives.
- 4. Check finished wallcoverings for proper alignment, pattern matching, and neatness of seams.
- 5. Mark vertical guidelines on walls to align strips, using plumb bobs and chalk lines.
- 6. Cover interior walls and ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, using hand tools.
- 7. Apply adhesives to the backs of paper strips, using brushes, or dunk strips of prepasted wallcovering in water, wiping off any excess adhesive.
- 8. Measure and cut strips from rolls of wallpaper or fabric, using shears or razors.
- 9. Place strips or sections of paper on surfaces, aligning section edges and patterns.
- 10. Fill holes, cracks, and other surface imperfections preparatory to covering surfaces.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Social Perceptiveness
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Design
- Education and Training
- Sales and Marketing
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Paperhangers?
Paperhangers has an AI exposure score of 33%, 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 Paperhangers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Paperhangers is projected to grow by 5.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 2,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Paperhangers?
Key skills for Paperhangers include Active Listening, Speaking, Coordination, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Paperhangers earn?
The median annual wage for Paperhangers is $48,260, 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 Paperhangers?
The typical entry-level education for Paperhangers is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Paperhangers?
Paperhangers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
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).