Drywall Taper: Job Description and Information About Becoming a Drywall Taper

Drywall tapers help make buildings beautiful, safe and environmentally sound. If you go into drywall finishing, you might want to take your career to a higher level with a 1-year certificate in construction or a 2-year associate degree.

View 5 Popular Schools »

Career Definition: Drywall Taper

Drywall or gypsum board, as it is sometimes called, is made of gypsum pressed between two outer layers of paper; fireproof and less costly than plaster, it is often made of recycled material, according to the Gypsum Association. Drywall tapers, also called drywall finishers, prepare a wet compound; press it into joints, nail or screw holes in the drywall; cover the wet material with tape and, when a high level of finish is required, apply two more coats of compound, each of which is sanded to make it smooth. They may use automatic tools to apply tape and compound in one step and spray guns to apply decorative, textured surfaces.

How to Become a Drywall Taper

Required Education for a Career in Drywall Finishing

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov drywall tapers become fully skilled after three to four years of on-the-job training and experience. While most workers are hired as helpers, employers may favor applicants trained in 1-year certificate programs or 2-year Associate of Applied Science degree programs in construction, offered by technical schools and community and junior colleges. Admission may require registering as an apprentice with a construction trade union.

Skills Required for a Career as a Drywall Taper

Drywall tapers need good vision, manual dexterity and attention to detail. According to the Occupational Information Network (ONET), www.onetcenter.org they also need specific physical attributes such as a tolerance for prolonged standing, bending and stretching.

Economic and Career Outlook: Drywall Finishing

The BLS notes that as of May, 2008 the mean hourly wage of tapers was $22.07. While construction jobs are affected by economic downturn, prospects for skilled and experienced workers will be more or less equal to the number of job openings during the decade ending in 2016.

Show me popular schools

Related to Drywall Taper: Job Description and Information About Becoming a Drywall Taper

  • Related
  • Recently Updated
  • Popular
Professional Handyman: Job Description, Duties and Requirements

Sometimes people need home repairs that they shouldn't or can't complete on their own. Professional handymen can...

Learn About Construction in the Blogosphere: 10 Top Construction Blogs

Whether you're a layperson looking for a little advice for that DIY home repair project or a construction professional...

How to Become a Drywall Contractor: Career Guide

Find out how to become a drywall contractor. Research the training requirements and learn about the experience you...

Drywall Framer: Job Description, Duties and Requirements

Drywall framers install panels of drywall into the frameworks of buildings. These specialized construction workers...

Top Schools for Construction Management, Carpentry, and Inspection Programs

5 Popular Schools

  • ITT Technical Institute

    School locations:
    • Online Learning
    • Ohio (2 campuses)

    Online and Classroom-Based Programs

    • Bachelor
        • Bachelor in Construction
        • Bachelor in Construction Management
    • Associate
        • Associate in Construction Technology

    What year did you graduate from high school?

    Request Info

  • Ashworth College

    Minimum eligibility requirements:
    • Must be 17 years of age or older
    School locations:
    • Online Learning

    Online Programs

    What is your highest level of education?

    Request Info

  • Everest

    Minimum eligibility requirements:
    • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
    School locations:
    • Texas (1 campus)

    Classroom-Based Programs

    What is your highest level of education?

    Request Info

  • South University

    Minimum eligibility requirements:
    • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
    • Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
    School locations:
    • Online Learning

    Online Programs

    What is your highest level of education?

    Request Info

  • Penn Foster Career School

    Minimum eligibility requirements:
    • Must be 18 years of age or older
    School locations:
    • Online Learning

    Distance Learning Programs

    What is your highest level of education?

    Request Info

Other Schools:

  • Milwaukee Area Technical College

    School locations:
    • Wisconsin (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Milwaukee Area Technical College include:
      • Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
      • Undergraduate: Associate
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
      • Construction Management and Trades
        • Cabinetmaking
        • Carpentry
        • Concrete Finishing
        • Drywall Installation
        • Electrical Systems Lineworker
        • Electrician
        • Glazier
        • House Painting and Wall Paper
        • Masonry
        • Metal Building Assembly
        • Pipefitting
        • Roofer
      • Electrical Repair and Maintenance
      • Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
      • Heavy Equipment Maintenance
      • Precision Metal Working
      • Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
    » Research Milwaukee Area Technical College's Programs

Other Related Schools:

Popular Schools

  • 1 ITT Technical Institute
    • Bachelor in Construction
    • Bachelor in Construction Management
    • Associate in Construction Technology

    What year did you graduate from high school?
  • 2 Ashworth College

    What is your age?
  • 3 Everest

    What year did you graduate from high school?
  • 4 South University

    When did you graduate from high school?
  • 5 Penn Foster Career School

    What is your age?
  • 6 Milwaukee Area Technical College
  • 7 Iowa State University
  • 8 New England Institute of Technology
Avg. Wages For Related Jobs

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics