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Residential Construction
D.R. Horton, Lennar, PulteGroup
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
This job is the support crew behind painting, wallpaper, plaster, and stucco work: masking off surfaces, hauling materials, patching small cracks, setting up scaffolding, and cleaning up when the job is done. It is easier to enter than a skilled finishing trade, but the tradeoff is clear: most of the day is heavy, physical support work rather than the finish work that pays more.
Also known as Painter HelperPainting HelperPainter's HelperPlasterer HelperStucco Mason Helper
Median Salary
$38,140
Mean $40,880
U.S. Workforce
~7K
0.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+2.3%
7.4K to 7.6K
Entry Education
No formal educational credential
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~7K workers, with a median annual pay of $38,140 and roughly 0.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 7.4 K in 2024 to 7.6K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with No formal educational credential, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Construction Laborer and can progress toward Foreman or Crew Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Surface Preparation, Masking & Protecting Finishes, Scaffolding Setup & Fall Protection Basics, and Patching Cracks with Putty, Epoxy & Plaster, paired with soft skills such as Coordination, Speaking, and Active Listening.
Core Responsibilities
- Patch cracks and small damaged spots in plaster so the surface is ready for finishing.
- Carry, hand over, and organize tools, paint, and other supplies for the crew.
- Tape off trim, floors, furniture, and other surfaces that need to stay clean.
- Clean up the work area and put equipment away at the end of the job.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Patch cracks and small damaged spots in plaster so the surface is ready for finishing.
02 Carry, hand over, and organize tools, paint, and other supplies for the crew.
03 Tape off trim, floors, furniture, and other surfaces that need to stay clean.
04 Clean up the work area and put equipment away at the end of the job.
05 Set up scaffolding so workers can reach walls, ceilings, and higher spots safely.
06 Help load items into stripping tanks and remove them after the required time.
Industries That Hire
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Commercial Construction
Turner Construction, Skanska, Gilbane Building Company
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Painting Contractors
CertaPro Painters, Five Star Painting, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING
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Facilities Management
JLL, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield
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Restoration Services
SERVPRO, BELFOR, Paul Davis Restoration
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get started without a formal degree, and short-term on-the-job training is usually enough to begin.
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There are still openings: the occupation is projected to add about 0.8 thousand annual openings, even though total employment is only about 7.22 thousand.
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The work is hands-on, so you can see the results at the end of each day instead of sitting at a desk.
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It can be a real entry point into the trades, with a path toward painter, plasterer, stucco mason, or crew lead roles.
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The crew work builds practical skills in safety, teamwork, and jobsite organization that transfer to other construction jobs.
Challenges
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Pay is modest for the amount of physical work: the median annual wage is $38,140 and the mean is only $40,880.
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Growth is slow, with employment projected to rise just 2.3% from 7.4 thousand to 7.6 thousand by 2034, so this is not a fast-expanding field.
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The job is physically demanding because it involves lifting materials, climbing scaffolding, cleaning up, and standing for long periods.
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A lot of the work is support work rather than the skilled finishing work, so the role can have a ceiling unless you keep training and move up.
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Demand can be tied to construction and renovation cycles, which means work can slow when projects are delayed, budgets tighten, or weather is bad.
Career Progression
Construction Laborer
0-1 years
$28K-$33K
New workers usually start by moving materials, cleaning sites, and learning basic safety and tool handling.
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
1-4 years
$34K-$41K
At this stage, you support the finishing crew directly by preparing surfaces, protecting finished areas, and keeping the job moving.
Lead Helper / Crew Support Lead THIS ROLE
4-7 years
$42K-$50K
Experienced helpers may take charge of setup, organize materials, and keep newer workers on task.
Skilled Painter, Plasterer, or Stucco Mason
7-10 years
$51K-$62K
With enough experience, workers can move into the craft side of the trade and do more of the finished work themselves.
Foreman or Crew Supervisor
10+ years
$63K-$78K
Supervisors plan the day, assign tasks, check quality, and keep jobs on schedule and within safety rules.
Education Paths
No formal educational credential
The most common entry point, held by 68.24% of workers in this role, and employers usually teach the basics on the job.
High school diploma or GED
A high school diploma is another common route, held by 26.19% of workers, and it can make it easier to move from helper work into a longer trades career.
Post-secondary certificate in painting, construction, or safety
A post-secondary certificate is less common, held by 3.68% of workers, but it can help candidates stand out when crews want more safety or tool training.
Associate degree in construction or facilities maintenance
An associate's degree appears for 1.4% of workers and is usually an optional boost rather than a requirement for getting started.
Key Skills
Technical
Surface Preparation, Masking & Protecting Finishes 60%
Scaffolding Setup & Fall Protection Basics 58%
Patching Cracks with Putty, Epoxy & Plaster 56%
Paint Stripping Tanks & Chemical Handling 54%
Tool Handoffs, Material Staging & Jobsite Cleanup 52%
Soft Skills
CoordinationSpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoringTime Management Job Outlook and Trends
+2.3%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 7.4K to 7.6 K over the next decade, representing 2.3% growth. Around 0.8 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.