Paperhangers
The short answer
This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 20 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.
AI can help with or automate about 5% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Measure surfaces or review work orders to estimate the quantities of materials needed.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Smooth strips or sections of paper with brushes or rollers to remove wrinkles and bubbles and to smooth joints.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Trim rough edges from strips, using straightedges and trimming knives.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Trim excess material at ceilings or baseboards, using knives.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Check finished wallcoverings for proper alignment, pattern matching, and neatness of seams.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Mark vertical guidelines on walls to align strips, using plumb bobs and chalk lines.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
Very similar work+2% pay95 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 2% more—$63,024 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Extent Flexibility
- Near Vision
- Mathematics
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Very similar work+100% pay80 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 100% more—$123,437 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Extent Flexibility
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
- Wrist-Finger Speed
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Very similar workslightly less pay1,655 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$61,187 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Administration and Management
- Near Vision
- Trunk Strength
- Manual Dexterity
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Tile and Stone Setters
Very similar work+2% pay267 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 2% more—$62,915 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Extent Flexibility
- Near Vision
- Mathematics
- Trunk Strength
New skills to build
- Visualization
Glaziers
Very similar work+3% pay210 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 3% more—$63,430 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Near Vision
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Insulation Workers, Mechanical
Very similar workslightly less pay110 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$60,716 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Extent Flexibility
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Education and Training
- Production and Processing
- Personnel and Human Resources
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Very similar work+3% pay74 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 3% more—$63,700 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Extent Flexibility
- Trunk Strength
- Mechanical
- Multilimb Coordination
New skills to build
- Wrist-Finger Speed
- Static Strength
- Reaction Time
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Similar workslightly less pay153 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$60,702 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Extent Flexibility
- Building and Construction
- Manual Dexterity
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Similar work+2% pay277 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 2% more—$62,936 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Extent Flexibility
- Near Vision
- Manual Dexterity
- Mathematics
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
Roofers
Somewhat similar work+10% pay424 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 10% more—$67,802 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Extent Flexibility
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
New skills to build
- Reaction Time
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Coordination
Sheet Metal Workers
Somewhat similar work+22% pay471 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 22% more—$75,758 vs your $61,859 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Near Vision
- Mathematics
- Manual Dexterity
- Administration and Management
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Reaction Time
- Mathematical Reasoning