Tapers
SOC Code: 47-2082
Tapers carries a 27% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $64,700 and +0.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 15,600 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 27% AI exposure, Tapers sits 10 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 22% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Tapers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Tapers has ai exposure of 27%. 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.
Tapers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Tapers 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
Tapers (SOC 47-2082) carries an AI exposure score of 27%, 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 15,600 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +0.1% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $64,700, 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 Tapers. 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. Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
- 2. Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
- 3. Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.
- 4. Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
- 5. Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
- 6. Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.
- 7. Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.
- 8. Work on high ceilings, using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.
- 9. Select the correct sealing compound or tape.
- 10. Countersink nails or screws below surfaces of walls before applying sealing compounds, using hammers or screwdrivers.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- Design
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Tapers?
Tapers has an AI exposure score of 27%, 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 Tapers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Tapers is projected to grow by 0.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 15,600 workers.
What skills are needed for Tapers?
Key skills for Tapers include Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Tapers earn?
The median annual wage for Tapers is $64,700, 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 Tapers?
The typical entry-level education for Tapers is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Tapers?
Tapers 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).