Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons Salary
In Washington, helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons earn $39,360 at the median, or about $18.92 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $57K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $38,584 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 64.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Washington. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $39K get you in Washington?
About helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
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What this looks like in Washington
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $39K locally vs. $40K nationwide, a 3% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 65.2% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K. Top earners bring in $57K or more, a $21K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco mason afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $39K, rent takes 65.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons typically earn — is $36K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,148/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 85% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco mason a high-paying job in Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $39K locally vs. $40K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons?
Washington pays $39K median vs. the U.S. average of $40K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $39K — below the national median.
How much do helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons make in Washington?
The median is $39,360 a year, that works out to about $19 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,800, and experienced helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons can clear $56,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,805/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 65.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons salary is worth about $38,584 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.