Prevailing Wage for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Prevailing wage for Painter Helper roles is set by DOL using regional wage surveys, with four experience levels that each carry a different floor. Whether you work as a Painter Helper, Plaster Helper, or Plaster Tender, the minimum a sponsoring employer must pay depends on the metro where you perform the work.
See all jobs for Painter HelperLook up your work address
Entry-level filing for candidates with minimal hands-on experience in painting or plastering support work. Typically no prior formal training is expected. The worker follows close supervision and performs basic material-handling and cleanup duties under direct instruction.
The most common filing level for Painter Helper and Plaster Helper positions. Workers at this level have developed practical familiarity with tools, surface preparation, and material mixing, and can complete routine tasks with only general supervision.
Experienced workers who handle a broader range of support tasks with limited oversight. At this level, workers may assist across plastering, stucco, and paperhanger crews, adapting to varied worksite conditions and materials without close direction.
Senior or lead helper scope, often involving coordination of materials across a crew or site. Workers at this level bring substantial hands-on experience, operate with significant autonomy, and may informally guide less experienced helpers on complex jobsites.
Prevailing Wage for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for Painter Helper
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Painter Helper and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Confirm your worksite city before comparing wages
For Painter Helper and Plaster Helper roles, the LCA must list the actual construction or renovation worksite, not the employer's office address. California metros like San Jose pay substantially more than Southern markets like New Orleans, so a mismatch can leave your offer well under the required floor.
Watch for signing bonuses counted toward wage compliance
Some painting and plastering contractors include one-time signing bonuses to meet the prevailing wage floor. DOL's rules limit how non-recurring payments count toward the required wage, so an offer that appears to clear the floor may fall short once the bonus is excluded from the annualized calculation.
Find employers who have sponsored this role before
Migrate Mate filters job listings by visa type and shows which employers have previously sponsored Painter Helper and Plaster Tender positions, so you can focus on contractors and construction firms with a demonstrated H-1B or green card sponsorship track record for this occupation.
Avoid title mismatches that shift your SOC code
Job postings for stucco or plaster support work are sometimes titled Laborer or Construction Helper and filed under a different SOC, missing the SOC 47-3014 wage floor entirely. Confirm that your employer's LCA references SOC 47-3014 before accepting a sponsored offer.
Jobs for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Painter HelperPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-3014.00 alongside Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Painter Helper Prevailing Wage
Painter Helper Prevailing Wage
Painter Helper positions fall under SOC 47-3014.00 (Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Plaster Helper Prevailing Wage
Plaster Helper Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Plaster Helper for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-3014.00 (Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Plaster Tender Prevailing Wage
Plaster Tender Prevailing Wage
Plaster Tender is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-3014.00 (Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Painter Helper jobs?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for Painter Helper and related roles using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OFLC publishes four wage levels for each Standard Occupational Classification code and metro area. Employers sponsoring a worker under H-1B or permanent labor certification must certify on the LCA that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level for SOC 47-3014.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which applies to me?
The four levels reflect a progression from entry to fully competent based on experience, supervision required, and task complexity. Level 1 applies to workers new to helper duties under close supervision. Level 2 covers those with practical experience working independently on routine tasks and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Levels 3 and 4 apply to experienced and senior workers respectively. Your employer selects the level based on the actual job duties described in the LCA.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Plaster Helper role vary so much by city?
OFLC bases prevailing wages on regional OES surveys, which capture local labor market conditions. Construction labor costs in San Jose or San Francisco reflect higher local demand and cost of living compared to markets like New Orleans or North Port. The LCA must list the specific worksite metro, and the wage floor tied to that area applies regardless of where the employer is headquartered, so the geography of the actual job site drives the requirement.
What happens if my job offer for a sponsored Painter Helper position is below the prevailing wage?
An employer cannot file or certify an LCA for a wage below the DOL prevailing wage floor. If an offer falls short, OFLC will not certify the LCA, blocking the H-1B petition or PERM application entirely. For existing sponsored workers, underpaying relative to the certified LCA wage can trigger DOL back-wage liability and potential debarment from future sponsorship filings. USCIS also reviews wage compliance as part of H-1B adjudication.
How can I verify the prevailing wage for a Plaster Tender role in a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool on the DOL website to look up SOC 47-3014 for any metro area where you would work. Enter the occupation code and select the relevant area to see all four wage levels. You can also reference O*NET for occupation details that clarify which duties align with SOC 47-3014 versus adjacent codes, helping you confirm your employer has filed under the correct classification.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons right now.
Search Jobs for Painter Helper