National
| Median wages (2008) |
$21.03 hourly, $43,740 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
54,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
11,000 additional employees |
47-2082.00 - Tapers
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
Sample of reported job titles:
Drywall Finisher, Drywall Taper, Taper, Finisher
Tasks
- Remove extra compound after surfaces have been covered sufficiently.
- Spread sealing compound between boards or panels and over cracks, holes, and nail and screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
- Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
- Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.
- Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
- Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard in order to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
- Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.
- Use mechanical applicators that spread compounds and embed tape in one operation.
- Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.
- Install metal molding at wall corners to secure wallboard.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Hand sprayers — Hand operated spray guns; Hopper guns; Patch guns; Texture sprayers |
| Ladders — Drywall stilts |
| Paint rollers — Corner rollers; Texture rollers |
| Plaster or mortar mixers — Drywall mud mixers |
| Putty knives — Corner knives; Joint knives; Pivoting drywall knives; Wipedown knives |
| Saws — Drywall saws |
| Trowels — Drywall trowels; Radius trowels |
| Utility knives |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Applied Computer Systems JOBPOWER; Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal |
| Project management software — Construction Software Center EasyEst; DevWave Software Estimate Works Drywall Estimator; On Center Quick Bid |
