Construction47-2082.00Specialization

Tapers

Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.

$63,350
Median Pay
Less than 6 months
Training
🟑
AI-Augmented

This is a specialization of

Construction Trades Workers

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 4/6: low AI task exposure means AI will assist but humans remain essential

🟑AI-Augmented

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

0% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

0% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 13/25

Total Score4/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
  • Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.
  • Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.
  • Work on high ceilings, using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.
  • Select the correct sealing compound or tape.
  • Countersink nails or screws below surfaces of walls before applying sealing compounds, using hammers or screwdrivers.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Time to Job Ready

0-1 years

Based on Job Zone 2. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Estimating softwareMicrosoft OfficeMaterial calculatorsProject tracking

Key Abilities

Near VisionArm-Hand SteadinessManual DexterityMultilimb CoordinationTrunk StrengthExtent FlexibilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionFinger DexterityControl Precision

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Compensation Details

$43,870
10th Percentile
$63,350
Median
$103,130
90th Percentile

Based on 15,560 employed workers

Also Known As

Drywall FinisherDrywall MechanicDrywall TaperFinisherSheet Rock TaperSpacklerTaperWall Taper

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 47-2082.00