Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Machines can already do 16% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 53%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 16% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2035, and 53% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 7,490 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $40,470 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 70% for contact with people.
- Also called: Helper, Painter Assistant, Painter Helper, Plaster Helper.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform support duties to assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or masons | 20% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean work areas and equipment | 15% | 20% to 60% | |
| Supply or hold tools and materials | 15% | 20% to 60% | |
| Apply protective coverings, such as masking tape, to articles or areas that could be damaged or stained by work processes | 15% | 3% to 30% | |
| Smooth surfaces of articles to be painted, using sanding and buffing tools and equipment | 12% | 3% to 30% | |
| Erect scaffolding | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Fill cracks or breaks in surfaces of plaster articles or areas with putty or epoxy compounds | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Mix plaster, and carry plaster to plasterers | 5% | 30% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Rock Splitters, Quarry52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,740
- Upholsterers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,340
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,800
- Histology Technicians49% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2035. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons?
Machines can do 16% of the tasks of helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons today and 53% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 47-3014.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/helpers-painters-paperhangers-plasterers-and-stucco-masons/