Paperhangers
Cover interior walls or ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, or attach advertising posters on surfaces such as walls and billboards. May remove old materials or prepare surfaces to be papered.
AI Impact Summary
Paperhangers faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 20/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 6% of all analyzed occupations. Of 20 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Paperhangers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
20 tasks analyzed
Smooth strips or sections of paper with brushes or rollers to remove wrinkles and bubbles and to smooth joints.
Trim rough edges from strips, using straightedges and trimming knives.
Trim excess material at ceilings or baseboards, using knives.
Check finished wallcoverings for proper alignment, pattern matching, and neatness of seams.
Mark vertical guidelines on walls to align strips, using plumb bobs and chalk lines.
Cover interior walls and ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, using hand tools.
Apply adhesives to the backs of paper strips, using brushes, or dunk strips of prepasted wallcovering in water, wiping off any excess adhesive.
Measure and cut strips from rolls of wallpaper or fabric, using shears or razors.
Place strips or sections of paper on surfaces, aligning section edges and patterns.
Measure surfaces or review work orders to estimate the quantities of materials needed.
Fill holes, cracks, and other surface imperfections preparatory to covering surfaces.
Apply sizing to seal surfaces and maximize adhesion of coverings to surfaces.
Smooth rough spots on walls and ceilings, using sandpaper.
Set up equipment, such as pasteboards and scaffolds.
Remove old paper, using water, steam machines, or solvents and scrapers.
Staple or tack advertising posters onto fences, walls, billboards, or poles.
Apply thinned glue to waterproof porous surfaces, using brushes, rollers, or pasting machines.
Mix paste, using paste powder and water, and brush paste onto surfaces.
Remove paint, varnish, dirt, and grease from surfaces, using paint remover and water soda solutions.
Apply acetic acid to damp plaster to prevent lime from bleeding through paper.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth strips or sections of paper with brushes or rollers to remove wrinkles and bubbles and to smooth joints. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Trim rough edges from strips, using straightedges and trimming knives. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Trim excess material at ceilings or baseboards, using knives. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Check finished wallcoverings for proper alignment, pattern matching, and neatness of seams. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 4% | |
| Mark vertical guidelines on walls to align strips, using plumb bobs and chalk lines. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Cover interior walls and ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, using hand tools. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Apply adhesives to the backs of paper strips, using brushes, or dunk strips of prepasted wallcovering in water, wiping off any excess adhesive. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 6% | |
| Measure and cut strips from rolls of wallpaper or fabric, using shears or razors. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 6% | |
| Place strips or sections of paper on surfaces, aligning section edges and patterns. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Measure surfaces or review work orders to estimate the quantities of materials needed. | 55Observed | 71.2% | 4% | |
| Fill holes, cracks, and other surface imperfections preparatory to covering surfaces. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 6% | |
| Apply sizing to seal surfaces and maximize adhesion of coverings to surfaces. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Smooth rough spots on walls and ceilings, using sandpaper. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 4% | |
| Set up equipment, such as pasteboards and scaffolds. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Remove old paper, using water, steam machines, or solvents and scrapers. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 8% | |
| Staple or tack advertising posters onto fences, walls, billboards, or poles. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 2% | |
| Apply thinned glue to waterproof porous surfaces, using brushes, rollers, or pasting machines. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Mix paste, using paste powder and water, and brush paste onto surfaces. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Remove paint, varnish, dirt, and grease from surfaces, using paint remover and water soda solutions. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Apply acetic acid to damp plaster to prevent lime from bleeding through paper. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 25.6%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$48,260
per year
Mean Wage
$51,900
per year
Employment
2K
workers
Wage Range
$35,020 - $69,470
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsRoofers
13%Median salary: $50,970
Higher risk than 0% of other occupations
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
13%Median salary: $48,680
Higher risk than 1% of other occupations
Carpet Installers
15%Median salary: $49,850
Higher risk than 1% of other occupations
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
17%Median salary: $54,660
Higher risk than 3% of other occupations
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
18%Median salary: $54,340
Higher risk than 4% of other occupations
Insulation Workers, Mechanical
18%Median salary: $57,250
Higher risk than 4% of other occupations
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
21%Median salary: $57,260
Higher risk than 9% of other occupations
Glaziers
21%Median salary: $55,440
Higher risk than 9% of other occupations
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
22%Median salary: $48,660
Higher risk than 11% of other occupations
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
27%Median salary: $45,690
Higher risk than 26% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Paperhangers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change