Wallpaper Hangers

Career summary

Wallpaper hangers must first prepare the surface they are going to cover. Sometimes they need to remove existing wallpaper by soaking, steaming, or applying solvents. If walls are already painted, paperhangers wash them. They may also apply plaster to walls to patch holes and other imperfections. Once the plaster is dry, they sand the surface to remove rough areas. They apply sizing or a primer/sealer to seal the surface and help wall coverings stick better.

Once the surface is ready, paperhangers prepare pastes or adhesives. They measure the areas to be covered and cut the wall covering into strips of the proper size. Before they apply adhesive, paperhangers mark guidelines on the walls to help them align the first strips. They apply paste and attach the strips to the walls or ceilings. Wallpaper hangers must be careful to make sure the patterns match and the seams are even. The last steps are to smooth the strip to remove wrinkles or bubbles, trim extra wallpaper from the top and bottom of the walls, and wipe off extra adhesive.

Some wallpaper hangers work on new buildings. Some work on remodeled buildings, and others work on both. A few wallpaper hangers apply advertisements to billboards and use scaffolding to reach their work.

Related careers

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Drywall Finishers
• Drywall Installers
• Floor and Carpet Layers
• Painters

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to wallpaper hangers.

• Remove old wallpaper or wash painted walls.
• Fills holes and cracks with plaster, using trowels.
• Smooth rough spots on walls and ceilings, using sandpaper.
• Measure walls and ceilings to compute number and length of strips needed to cover surfaces. Cut strips to proper sizes.
• Mark guidelines on walls to align first strip.
• Apply primer to seal surfaces and sizing to make them sticky.
• Mix pastes or adhesives.
• Apply adhesives using brushes.
• Align and place strips on surfaces and match edges.
• Check patterns, seams, and whether strips are hanging straight.
• Smooth strips with brushes or rollers to remove wrinkles and bubbles.
• Trim excess material at ceilings or baseboards.

Common work activities

Wallpaper hangers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Handle and move objects
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Update and use job-related knowledge

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, wallpaper hangers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium low level of contact with others. They usually work alone but also interact with clients, usually on the phone or in person.
• Sometimes work as part of a team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of those around them while working.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other hangers.

Physical work conditions

• Often work indoors. May work outdoors to hang billboards.
• Often wear protective gear, such as masks, respirators, or gloves, when using chemicals to remove wallpaper.
• Are sometimes exposed to loud or distracting sounds.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
• Sometimes must use ladders to reach high places.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be exact in their work. Errors may make customers unhappy and keep wallpaper hangers from being paid.
• Repeat the same physical activities.
• Often make decisions that impact customers and their company's reputation. They sometimes consult another before deciding a course of action, but usually act independently.
• Set their daily tasks and goals by customer schedules.
• Must meet weekly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work 40 hours per week.

Physical demands

Wallpaper hangers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Climb ladders, scaffolds, or poles.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for wallpaper hangers to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for wallpaper hangers to be able to:

• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.

Skills and abilities

Wallpaper hangers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Apprenticeship Programs
• Building Construction Technology
• Construction Trades

Other programs of study to consider

• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Training

To work as a wallpaper hanger, you typically need to:

• complete long-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

On-the-job training

Most wallpaper hangers receive informal, on-the-job training from an experienced worker. During this type of training, you first work as a helper. However, few wallpaper hangers have a need for helpers. On-the-job training usually lasts at least one year.

Washington apprenticeships

For further information on apprenticeships in Washington, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Apprenticeship Program 
PO Box 44530
Olympia, WA 98504-4530
360.902.5320

#I couldn't find any apprenticeships for paper hangers on the L&I website. But will leave this in for general information.

#L&I info still correct 4/25/05 CJ. Added WA subheading to this section 4/10/07, CJ. Checked info 4/20/09, 5/10/11, 5/8/13, 4/27/15, 2/28/17 cj.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements . You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Construction
• Interior Design
• Physical Education

Many wallpaper hangers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Wallpaper hangers usually must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants must have a good sense of color and good manual dexterity.

Tips

Learning all phases of the trade from the ground up by working for a reputable, experienced contractor is a good way to prepare for this occupation.

Costs to workers

Costs include protective clothing and a few tools. Workers under union contract must pay dues and an initiation fee.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Paperhangers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by area of the country, employer, and the worker's skill level. Wages for apprentices are usually 40 to 50 percent lower than for experienced workers. As apprentices gain experience in wallpaper hanging, their wages increase at regular intervals.

Wallpaper hangers who who work full time for a business often receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Self-employed wallpaper hangers must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 39% of wallpaper hangers are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Painting and wallpaper hanging companies
• Billboard companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will grow about as fast as average. New construction is seasonal, so wallpaper hangers may experience periods without work. However, those who are employed by a company that also does renovations should spend less time without work.

Some job openings will be created as people leave this occupation. There are few skills required to become a wallpaper hanger. Many people enter this occupation, gain skills, and move on to other types of work.

Other resources

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades 
7234 Parkway Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
410.564.5900

North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) 
815 16th ST, NW, Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20006

Painting Contractors Association 
2316 Millpark Drive, Suite 220
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
800.332.7322
314.514.7322

Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council 
906 Columbia Street SW, Suite 107
Olympia, WA 98501
360.357.6778

References

Career cluster

• Architecture and Construction

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Paperhangers (47-2142.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Billposter (841.684-010) 
• Paperhanger (841.381-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled