Guidance.help

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons

People classed as Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons help painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons by performing duties requiring less skill. On the six-type interest model it reads RCS, meaning hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world comes first, followed by orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to speaking, coordination, and active listening as the ones to build. One core duty is to clean work areas and equipment. If you want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, keep it on your list. If you need research, analysis and working through hard problems, it may feel thin.

What they do

Help painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Main tasks

  • Clean work areas and equipment.
  • Supply or hold tools and materials.
  • Apply protective coverings, such as masking tape, to articles or areas that could be damaged or stained by work processes.
  • Smooth surfaces of articles to be painted, using sanding and buffing tools and equipment.
  • Erect scaffolding.
  • Perform support duties to assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or masons.

Skills

  • Speaking
  • Coordination
  • Active Listening
  • Time Management
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on speaking and coordination.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want to spend most of your time analyzing and researching. Investigative rates 1.1 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCS takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Less than a High School Diploma. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Helper
  • Painter Assistant
  • Painter Helper
  • Plaster Helper
  • Plaster Tender

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.