Jobs Similar to Paperhangers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to paperhangers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Carpet Installers, Insulation Workers (Mechanical) and Plasterers and Stucco Masons.
Paperhangers: $52,140 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Paperhangers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carpet InstallersSame group | 82% | $50,340−3% | High school |
| 2 | Insulation Workers, MechanicalSame group | 80% | $58,340+12% | High school |
| 3 | Plasterers and Stucco MasonsSame group | 80% | $57,660+11% | High school |
| 4 | Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard TilesSame group | 80% | $56,460+8% | High school |
| 5 | GlaziersSame group | 78% | $57,080+9% | High school |
| 6 | StonemasonsSame group | 78% | $57,390+10% | High school |
| 7 | Tile and Stone SettersSame group | 77% | $55,690+7% | High school |
| 8 | Painters, Construction and MaintenanceSame group | 77% | $49,400−5% | High school |
| 9 | Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallSame group | 77% | $49,120−6% | High school |
| 10 | Brickmasons and BlockmasonsSame group | 75% | $62,120+19% | High school |
| 11 | Floor Sanders and FinishersSame group | 75% | $50,440−3% | High school |
| 12 | Terrazzo Workers and FinishersSame group | 75% | $76,170+46% | High school |
| 13 | Reinforcing Iron and Rebar WorkersSame group | 75% | $58,970+13% | High school |
| 14 | Structural Iron and Steel WorkersSame group | 75% | $62,780+20% | High school |
| 15 | Drywall and Ceiling Tile InstallersSame group | 74% | $58,930+13% | High school |
| 16 | CarpentersSame group | 74% | $60,580+16% | High school |
| 17 | Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing | 74% | $46,170Broader BLS group · not compared | High school |
| 18 | Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators | 74% | $46,880−10% | High school |
| 19 | Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | 73% | $37,800−28% | High school |
| 20 | Furniture Finishers | 73% | $44,540−15% | High school |
- 1Carpet Installers
82% similar · $50,340 (−3%) · High school · Same group
- 2Insulation Workers, Mechanical
80% similar · $58,340 (+12%) · High school · Same group
- 3Plasterers and Stucco Masons
80% similar · $57,660 (+11%) · High school · Same group
- 4Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
80% similar · $56,460 (+8%) · High school · Same group
- 5Glaziers
78% similar · $57,080 (+9%) · High school · Same group
- 6Stonemasons
78% similar · $57,390 (+10%) · High school · Same group
- 7Tile and Stone Setters
77% similar · $55,690 (+7%) · High school · Same group
- 8Painters, Construction and Maintenance
77% similar · $49,400 (−5%) · High school · Same group
- 9Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
77% similar · $49,120 (−6%) · High school · Same group
- 10Brickmasons and Blockmasons
75% similar · $62,120 (+19%) · High school · Same group
- 11Floor Sanders and Finishers
75% similar · $50,440 (−3%) · High school · Same group
- 12Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
75% similar · $76,170 (+46%) · High school · Same group
- 13Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
75% similar · $58,970 (+13%) · High school · Same group
- 14Structural Iron and Steel Workers
75% similar · $62,780 (+20%) · High school · Same group
- 15Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
74% similar · $58,930 (+13%) · High school · Same group
- 16Carpenters
74% similar · $60,580 (+16%) · High school · Same group
- 17Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
74% similar · $46,170 (broader group) · High school
- 18Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
74% similar · $46,880 (−10%) · High school
- 19Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
73% similar · $37,800 (−28%) · High school
- 20Furniture Finishers
73% similar · $44,540 (−15%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than paperhangers.
- Terrazzo Workers and Finishers75% similar · $76,170 (+46%)
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers75% similar · $62,780 (+20%)
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons75% similar · $62,120 (+19%)
- Carpenters74% similar · $60,580 (+16%)
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers75% similar · $58,970 (+13%)
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers74% similar · $58,930 (+13%)
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for paperhangers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where paperhangers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing (74)
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons (73)
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers (73)
- Log Graders and Scalers (69)
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers (69)
- Sewers, Hand (68)
- Pest Control Workers (67)
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers (67)
- Animal Breeders (66)
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers (64)
Questions about jobs like paperhangers
What jobs are most similar to paperhangers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Carpet Installers (82% similar), Insulation Workers (Mechanical) (80% similar), Plasterers and Stucco Masons (80% similar), Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles (80% similar) and Glaziers (78% similar).
Which jobs like paperhangers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Terrazzo Workers and Finishers ($76,170, +46%; usually a high school diploma), Structural Iron and Steel Workers ($62,780, +20%; usually a high school diploma) and Brickmasons and Blockmasons ($62,120, +19%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with paperhangers ($52,140). Without more preparation than paperhangers usually need: Terrazzo Workers and Finishers, Structural Iron and Steel Workers and Brickmasons and Blockmasons.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.