Paperhangers
Machines can already do 18% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 55%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Paperhangers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 18% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 55% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 1,570 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $52,140 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 56% for contact with people.
- Also called: Bill Board Poster, Bill Poster, Billposter, Hanger.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Place strips or sections of paper on surfaces, aligning section edges and patterns | 11% | 3% to 30% | |
| Smooth strips or sections of paper with brushes or rollers to remove wrinkles and bubbles and to smooth joints | 11% | 30% to 75% | |
| Cover interior walls and ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper or fabric, using hand tools | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Measure and cut strips from rolls of wallpaper or fabric, using shears or razors | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Apply adhesives to the backs of paper strips, using brushes, or dunk strips of prepasted wallcovering in water, wiping off any excess adhesive | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Remove old paper, using water, steam machines, or solvents and scrapers | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Fill holes, cracks, and other surface imperfections preparatory to covering surfaces | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Set up equipment, such as pasteboards and scaffolds | 6% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills paperhangers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $42,360
- Roofers46% of tasks by 2035 · US median $55,440
- Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers49% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,630
- Carpet Installers54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,340
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Paperhangers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of paperhangers?
Machines can do 18% of the tasks of paperhangers today and 55% 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 47-2142.00 (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). Paperhangers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/paperhangers/