Paperhangers Salary
The median pay for a paperhangers in Missouri is $59,560/year ($28.63/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $69K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $66,944 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 28% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in Missouri?
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What this looks like in Missouri
Missouri sits well above the national pay line for paperhangers, local pay runs about 14% higher than the U.S. median of $52K. Rent runs $1,097/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri
Entry-level paperhangers (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $69K or more, a $17K spread from bottom to top.
Paperhangers salary by metro in Missouri
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $60K | +1% | N/A |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a paperhanger afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $60K, rent takes 27.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for paperhangers in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new paperhangers typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,118/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 35% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is paperhanger a high-paying job in Missouri?
Local pay is 14% above the national median — $60K here vs. $52K nationally.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for paperhangers?
Missouri pays $60K median vs. the U.S. average of $52K — that’s +14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $67K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do paperhangers make in Missouri?
The median is $59,560 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,970, and experienced paperhangers can clear $68,890. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,987/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 27.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a paperhangers salary go in Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median paperhangers salary is worth about $66,944 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do paperhangers 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.