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What is a Taper?

Example of Taper Job Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.

What Do Tapers Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Sand rough spots of dried cement between applications of compounds.
  • Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
  • Remove extra compound after surfaces have been covered sufficiently.
  • Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
  • Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.
  • Apply texturizing compounds or primers to walls or ceilings before final finishing, using trowels, brushes, rollers, or spray guns.

Taper Needed Skills

Tapers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Types of Taper

  • Finisher
  • Drywall Finishing Foreman
  • Taping Foreman
  • Sheet Rock Taper
  • Taper/Finisher

Taper Job Outlook

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 23,700 jobs in the United States for Taper. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Taper. The BLS estimates 2,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Taper are Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Maine, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Taper

Tapers make between $31,020 and $91,070 a year.

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Tapers who work in Hawaii, Illinois, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.

How much do Tapers make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Arizona $46,980
California $62,060
Colorado $49,240
Connecticut $56,380
Florida $42,020
Georgia $45,550
Hawaii $81,840
Idaho $32,030
Illinois $75,810
Indiana $47,760
Iowa $57,840
Maine $47,540
Massachusetts $58,480
Michigan $53,590
Minnesota $55,430
Missouri $60,220
Montana $30,370
Nevada $41,880
New Hampshire $35,880
New Mexico $49,160
New York $63,490
North Dakota $47,170
Ohio $63,130
Oregon $67,170
Pennsylvania $55,570
Texas $45,130
Utah $42,750
Washington $57,060
Wisconsin $48,690

What Tools & Technology do Tapers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Tapers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
  • On Center Quick Bid
  • Construction Software Center EasyEst
  • DevWave Estimate Works

Becoming a Taper

Individuals working as a Taper have obtained the following education levels:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Taper?

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Where Tapers Work

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Tapers work in the following industries:

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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