Career Overview
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
Also Known As
- Drywall Finisher
- Drywall Taper
- Finisher
- Taper
Alternate Job Titles
- Drywall Finisher
- Drywall Mechanic
- Drywall Taper
- Finisher
- Sheet Rock Taper
- Spackler
- Taper
- Wall Taper
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Building and Construction
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Extent Flexibility
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Manual Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Control Precision
- Finger Dexterity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Achievement Orientation
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Office software
Tools & Equipment
- Air compressors
- Application brushes
- Automatic taping tools
- Banjo drywall tapers
- Corner knives
- Corner rollers
- Drywall knockdown knives
- Drywall mud mixers
- Drywall power sanders
- Drywall saws
- Drywall stilts
- Drywall taping knives
- Drywall trowels
- Dust masks
- Feather edge drywall darbies
Work Environment
- Spend Time Standing
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
- Exposed to Contaminants
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $43,450 |
| Median | $64,700 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $106,160 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 12,500
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $58,140
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,680
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $54,660
Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $56,020
Insulation Workers, Mechanical
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $57,250
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.