Taper Salary in 2026
How Much Do Tapers Make?
Tapers earn a median annual salary of $64,700 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $43,450 at the 10th percentile to $106,160 at the 90th percentile — a range of $62,710. The highest-paying state is Illinois at $109,510.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,450 |
| 25th percentile | $50,780 |
| Median (50th) | $64,700 |
| 75th percentile | $82,990 |
| 90th percentile | $106,160 |
Taper Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinoistop | $109,510 |
| Massachusetts | $107,670 |
| Hawaii | $97,790 |
| New Jersey | $96,350 |
| Oregon | $90,180 |
| Minnesota | $86,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,880 |
| Connecticut | $71,910 |
| Washington | $70,580 |
| New York | $70,150 |
| California | $69,670 |
| Ohio | $68,130 |
| Iowa | $65,440 |
| Indiana | $64,420 |
| Michigan | $62,090 |
| Missouri | $60,810 |
| New Mexico | $59,250 |
| Idaho | $58,670 |
| Colorado | $57,570 |
| Nevada | $57,350 |
| Utah | $54,580 |
| Maine | $51,880 |
| Wisconsin | $49,150 |
| Arizona | $48,170 |
| Texas | $45,030 |
| Florida | $40,060 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Tapers
Taper Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$43,450 – $50,780 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$64,700 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$82,990 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $106,160+ |
How to Earn More as a Taper
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Tapers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earn $109,870 — $45,170 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($82,990) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Taper Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Taperthis career | $64,700 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmason | $60,800 |
| Carpenter | $59,310 |
| Floor Layer | $54,340 |
| Floor Sanders and Finisher | $49,150 |
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SOC: 47-2082.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.