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Tapers

O*NET files this work under Tapers: people who seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering. With a code of RCA, this is mostly a job for people drawn to hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Conventional interests also help, rated 3.4 out of 7. 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 monitoring, time management, and active listening as the ones to build. The job can ask you to press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need leading, persuading and making business decisions.

What they do

Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.

Main tasks

  • Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
  • Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
  • Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
  • Work on high ceilings, using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.
  • Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
  • Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.

Skills

  • Monitoring
  • Time Management
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Coordination

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 monitoring and time management.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want to lead people or run the business side. Enterprising 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 RCA 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.

Also called

  • Drywall Finisher
  • Drywall Mechanic
  • Drywall Taper
  • Finisher
  • Patch Guy

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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.