Paperhangers Salary
The median pay for a paperhangers in Washington is $46,270/year ($22.24/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $45,358 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 55% 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 $46K get you in Washington?
About paperhangers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington
Pay for paperhangers in Washington runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $52K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 56% 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. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for paperhangerss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level paperhangers (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K. Top earners bring in $74K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track paperhangers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Construction & Trades
Frequently asked questions
Can a paperhanger afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $46K, rent takes 56% 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 $1,000/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for paperhangers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new paperhangers typically earn — is $44K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,650/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 69% 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 Washington?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $46K here vs. $52K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for paperhangers?
Washington pays $46K median vs. the U.S. average of $52K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $45K — below the national median.
How much do paperhangers make in Washington?
The median is $46,270 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,160, and experienced paperhangers can clear $73,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,268/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 56% 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 paperhangers 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 paperhangers salary is worth about $45,358 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.