Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Tapers
Tapers seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
Table of contents
What they do
Tapers seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
- Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
- Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
- Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.
- Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Tapers apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth. They select the correct sealing compound or tape.
A typical day for a Taper will also include:
- Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
- Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
- Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
- Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.
- Use mechanical applicators that spread compounds and embed tape in one operation.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Tapers also countersink nails or screws below surfaces of walls before applying sealing compounds, using hammers or screwdrivers. They may also install metal molding at wall corners to secure wallboard.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Tapers sand rough spots of dried cement between applications of compounds. They might also sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.
In addition, they apply texturizing compounds or primers to walls or ceilings before final finishing, using trowels, brushes, rollers, or spray guns.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them use mechanical applicators that spread compounds and embed tape in one operation.
To some Tapers, it is also their responsibility to work on high ceilings using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
63% said they were satisfied with their job and 56% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Tapers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $36,580 to $46,380 per year or $18 to $22 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $95,800 | $46 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $76,770 | $37 |
| Median | $59,450 | $29 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $46,380 | $22 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $36,580 | $18 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Tapers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Building Construction | $76990 | $37.01 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $72540 | $34.87 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $70040 | $33.67 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | $60740 | $29.20 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Tapers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Tapers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building Finishing Contractors | 14160 | $60740 | $29.20 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 1320 | $72540 | $34.87 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 270 | $70040 | $33.67 |
| Residential Building Construction | 270 | $76990 | $37.01 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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