NSXNational Skills ExchangeSign in
Back to Framework

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons

SOC 47-3014.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full range of helper support duties—surface preparation, protective covering, crack filling, scaffolding, tool and material handling, and crew coordination—performed in residential and commercial construction environments at Job Zone 2 proficiency.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Work area surfaces and equipment — clean and remove debris under direct supervision at the start and end of each shift on a residential job site.
  2. Masking tape and protective sheeting — apply to fixtures, trim, and adjacent surfaces following step-by-step direction before painting or plastering begins.
  3. Hand tools and supply materials — hold, carry, and pass to journey-level painters or plasterers as instructed during active work operations.
  4. Scaffold components — assist in erecting basic scaffolding under close supervision, following verbal instructions and safety protocols on low-rise structures.
  5. Surface cracks and small breaks — fill with premixed putty or epoxy compound under direct guidance on interior plaster walls.
  6. Job site safety rules — recognize and follow basic hazard-avoidance protocols, including PPE use, while assisting experienced tradespeople.
  7. Simple verbal instructions — receive and confirm understanding of task assignments by asking clarifying questions and repeating directions back to the supervisor.
  8. Building materials and supplies — sort, stack, and organize paint cans, plaster mix, and tools in a designated staging area to maintain workflow efficiency.
  9. Protective drop cloths — place and secure over flooring and furniture under supervision prior to surface preparation or finishing work.
  10. Physical tasks involving lifting and reaching — perform repetitive material-handling duties such as carrying buckets or boards while maintaining body balance on ground-level sites.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Work areas and equipment — clean thoroughly and reset between tasks with minimal oversight, maintaining a tidy job site throughout the workday.
  2. Masking tape, plastic sheeting, and protective coverings — select appropriate materials and apply independently to complex surfaces such as window frames, cabinetry, and electrical fixtures.
  3. Tools and consumable materials — anticipate supply needs and stage equipment for painters or plasterers before requests are made, reducing workflow interruptions.
  4. Scaffolding structures — erect and dismantle standard scaffold configurations on two- to three-story commercial or residential projects following manufacturer guidelines and safety codes.
  5. Cracks, holes, and surface imperfections — assess and fill using putty, epoxy, or patching compound with consistent finish quality on both plaster and drywall surfaces.
  6. Support duties across multiple trades — coordinate assistance for painters, paperhangers, and plasterers concurrently on multi-trade job sites with moderate supervision.
  7. Verbal communication with crew members — relay task updates and material status clearly and concisely to supervisors and fellow helpers during active construction operations.
  8. Surface preparation steps — sand, wire-brush, and clean substrate areas in preparation for painting or plastering, applying learned technique with growing consistency.
  9. Body coordination and manual dexterity — execute overhead and lateral tool-handling tasks steadily while positioned on elevated platforms or narrow scaffold boards.
  10. Basic recordkeeping — track material usage and supply inventory using simple spreadsheet or word processing software as directed by the site supervisor.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full support cycle — independently manage all helper duties across preparation, active work, and cleanup phases for painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons on large commercial projects.
  2. Protective coverings and masking systems — devise and apply comprehensive surface-protection plans for complex interior environments, preventing damage to finished millwork and specialty fixtures.
  3. Scaffold systems — plan, erect, and inspect multi-level scaffolding configurations, identify load or stability issues, and implement corrective measures before crews ascend.
  4. Crack and surface repair — diagnose underlying causes of surface failures and select the appropriate filler compound, texture match, and application method for lasting repairs.
  5. Material and tool coordination — organize and manage the staging, replenishment, and proper storage of all trade materials to sustain uninterrupted production across a full workday.
  6. Non-routine hazards — recognize and respond to unexpected site conditions such as deteriorating plaster, lead paint indicators, or unstable substrates and escalate appropriately.
  7. Cross-trade communication — communicate technical needs and schedule conflicts clearly to painters, plasterers, site supervisors, and subcontractors to maintain project momentum.
  8. Physical endurance and body equilibrium — sustain elevated work positions and static-strength tasks across extended shifts while modeling safe body mechanics for newer helpers.
  9. Quality inspection — review completed preparation work against trade standards, identify deficiencies, and correct them before journey-level finishing crews advance to the next phase.
  10. Project support documentation — compile accurate daily logs of materials used, areas completed, and supply shortfalls using office suite or project management software tools.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Helper crew operations — direct and coordinate a team of emerging and developing helpers across multiple active work zones, assigning tasks to match individual skill levels and project priorities.
  2. Onboarding and skills development — design and deliver hands-on orientation routines that accelerate new helpers' proficiency in surface preparation, protective covering, and scaffold safety.
  3. Site-wide scaffold planning — lead the layout and phased erection of scaffold systems across large multi-story commercial or institutional projects, ensuring code compliance and crew safety.
  4. Quality and safety standards — establish and enforce job site preparation and cleanup standards, conducting regular walk-throughs and correcting deficiencies before they impact trade productivity.
  5. Material procurement coordination — liaise with site supervisors and procurement staff to forecast supply needs, reduce waste, and prevent work stoppages through proactive inventory management.
  6. Mentorship in physical techniques — coach helpers on proper use of gross body coordination, arm-hand steadiness, and static-strength techniques to reduce injury risk and improve output quality.
  7. Cross-functional collaboration — serve as the primary point of contact between helper crews and journey-level trade professionals, translating production goals into clear daily work assignments.
  8. Workforce documentation and reporting — oversee accurate completion of crew productivity logs, safety incident reports, and supply records using project management and spreadsheet software.
  9. Continuous improvement initiatives — identify recurring preparation defects or workflow bottlenecks and propose process changes to site leadership that improve overall finishing trade efficiency.
  10. Professional conduct and crew culture — model dependability, cooperation, and integrity on site, building a team environment that reflects industry standards for craftsmanship and mutual respect.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

The Anthropic Economic Index (2026-03-24 release) doesn't show enough AI-assisted task observations for this occupation to anchor an AI-at-Work Competency Framework yet. Most physical and on-site occupations land here today; that signal may rise as more workers in this field adopt AI tools.

Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency levels for this occupation. Subscribe to unlock the full Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework across all 1,016 occupations.

Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library
Show O*NET source anchors31 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

Suggest an O*NET correction

Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Billboard Poster Helper · Bridge Painter Helper · Dry Plasterer Helper · Exterior Work Helper · Highway Painter Helper · House Painter Helper · Hydroblaster · Mason's Tender · Ornamental Plasterer Helper · Painter Assistant · Painter Helper · Paperhanger Assistant
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
SpeakingCoordination
Knowledge domains
Building and ConstructionEnglish Language
Abilities
Extent FlexibilityGross Body EquilibriumManual DexterityStatic StrengthTrunk StrengthArm-Hand SteadinessMultilimb CoordinationGross Body CoordinationNear VisionFar Vision
Work styles
DependabilityCooperationAttention to DetailCautiousnessHumilityIntegrity
Technology
Accounting softwareOffice suite softwareProject management softwareSpreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Clean work areas and equipment.
  2. Perform support duties to assist painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or masons.
  3. Apply protective coverings, such as masking tape, to articles or areas that could be damaged or stained by work processes.
  4. Erect scaffolding.
  5. Fill cracks or breaks in surfaces of plaster articles or areas with putty or epoxy compounds.
  6. Supply or hold tools and materials.
CIP education codes
46.000046.010146.020146.030246.040146.0402

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.