Salary Range
Low (10th %)$43,870
Median$63,350
High (90th %)$103,130
AI Prompt Guides for Tapers
Unlock expert prompt guides tailored for this Tapers. Get strategies to boost your productivity and results with AI.
AI Prompt Tool for Tapers
Experiment with and customize AI prompts designed for this occupation. Try, edit, and save prompts for your workflow.
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.
The automation risk for the occupation "Tapers" stands at 12.4%, which aligns closely with the base risk of 12.5%. Tapers are responsible for finishing drywall panels and ensuring smooth, seamless walls and ceilings, a task requiring precision and attention to detail. The relatively low risk of automation reflects the nature of the work, which involves a variety of manual and judgment-based skills not easily replicated by machines. While some aspects of taping can be standardized, a significant amount of the workflow requires adaptability to different job sites, wall imperfections, and customer expectations. The top three most automatable tasks for tapers are: spreading sealing compound over boards or panels and filling cracks, applying paper tape to embed it into sealing compound, and adding additional coats to fill holes and achieve smooth surfaces. These repetitive, manual tasks could potentially be handled by machinery or automated tools designed for uniform motion and material application. Advances in construction robotics and mechanized tools may further increase the efficiency of these specific processes but are currently limited by setup complexity and variability in job environments. However, the most resistant tasks highlight why tapers remain difficult to fully automate. Using mechanical applicators requires skillful handling to adjust for different wall types, while sanding rough spots and checking adhesives for effectiveness involve human judgment and tactile feedback. Bottleneck skills such as originality, which scores at only 2.0% and 1.5%, suggest that creativity and the ability to problem-solve on-site are crucial—and hard to program into machines. These skills are fundamental to customized, high-quality results, thereby keeping the overall automation risk relatively low for this occupation.
Filter by Automatable Status
Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
Non-Automatable
Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
Non-Automatable
Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.
Non-Automatable
Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
Non-Automatable
Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.
Non-Automatable
Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.
Non-Automatable
Work on high ceilings, using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.
Non-Automatable
Select the correct sealing compound or tape.
Automatable
Countersink nails or screws below surfaces of walls before applying sealing compounds, using hammers or screwdrivers.
Non-Automatable
Remove extra compound after surfaces have been covered sufficiently.
Non-Automatable
Install metal molding at wall corners to secure wallboard.
Non-Automatable
Check adhesives to ensure that they will work and will remain durable.
Partially Automatable
Sand rough spots of dried cement between applications of compounds.
Non-Automatable
Use mechanical applicators that spread compounds and embed tape in one operation.
Partially Automatable
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
Non-Automatable
Apply texturizing compounds or primers to walls or ceilings before final finishing, using trowels, brushes, rollers, or spray guns.
Non-Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningLearning StrategiesOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceJudgment and Decision MakingManagement of Material ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationComplex Problem SolvingOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Personnel Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTherapy and CounselingSales and Marketing
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with Computers
Microsoft DynamicsDevWave Estimate WorksApplied Computer Systems JOBPOWERMicrosoft DynamicsDevWave Estimate WorksApplied Computer Systems JOBPOWERTurtle Creek Software GoldensealConstruction Software Center EasyEstTurtle Creek Software GoldensealOn Center Quick BidOn Center Quick BidConstruction Software Center EasyEstIntuit QuickBooksIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Office software
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Low19.41%
Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.
Carpenters
Low17.84%
Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
Low14.12%
Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.
Floor Sanders and Finishers
Low14.14%
Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.
Tile and Stone Setters
Low13.80%
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Low15.23%
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
Low9.52%
Apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.
Construction Laborers
Low21.08%
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Low6.66%
Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fireproofing, or acoustical material.
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Low7.42%
Line and cover structures with insulating materials. May work with batt, roll, or blown insulation materials.
Insulation Workers, Mechanical
Low21.99%
Apply insulating materials to pipes or ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature.
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Low20.83%
Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.
Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Low8.23%
Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster.
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Low10.60%
Position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms in order to reinforce concrete. Use a variety of fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, and hand tools. Includes rod busters.
Roofers
Low3.66%
Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.
Sheet Metal Workers
Low29.90%
Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Low11.69%
Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Low23.11%
Help brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, or tile and marble setters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Medium40.69%
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Medium44.30%
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.