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Salary comparison

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?

Construction Laborerss out-earn Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masonss by $7K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masonss land at $40,470 and Construction Laborerss at $47,120. The education gap is real: helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco mason programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masonss is Ohio ($53,340); for Construction Laborerss it's Hawaii ($77,110).

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Construction Laborers
Median salary
$40,470
$47,120
Hourly rate
$19.46/hr
$22.66/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,200
$35,090
Senior level (90th %)
$52,000
$78,090
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
7,490
1,096,780
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
7.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
Ohio
Hawaii

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons median pay.

State
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Construction Laborers
Ohio
$53,340
$56,080
New York
$52,000
$55,930
Hawaii
$51,540
$77,110
California
$46,220
$60,270
Montana
$44,720
$49,830
Connecticut
$43,070
$58,290
Colorado
$42,470
$47,900
Oregon
$40,180
$50,860
Washington
$39,360
$57,720
Maryland
$39,080
$46,960
Idaho
$38,760
$46,940
Nevada
$38,330
$48,990
Indiana
$36,550
$50,070
Arizona
$32,000
$46,590
Michigan
$30,300
$49,590

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masonss or Construction Laborerss?

Construction Laborerss earn more nationally. The median is $40,470 for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masonss versus $47,120 for Construction Laborerss, a difference of $7K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons or Construction Laborers?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons or Construction Laborers?

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masonss get paid the most?

Ohio is the top-paying state for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masonss at $53,340/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Ohio, Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masonss earn $53,340 vs. $56,080 for Construction Laborerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons salary breakdownView →Full Construction Laborers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masonss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Construction Laborerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masonsGuide →How to become a construction laborersGuide →