Drywall Installers and Finishers


Overview

Drywall Installers and Finishers

Introduction

Drywall installers and drywall finishers plan and carry out the installation of drywall panels on interior wall and ceiling surfaces of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Drywall installers are also called drywall framers or hangers, and drywall finishers are also known as drywall tapers. There are approximately 122,000 drywall and ceiling tile installers working in the United States.

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$43,730

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma|Some Postsecondary Training|Apprenticeship


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Experience

Apprenticeship


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Skills

Building/Trades|Math|Mechanical/Manual Dexterity


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Personality Traits

Athletic|Conventional|Hands On

Earnings

The annual earnings of drywall workers vary widely. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median hourly wage of drywall installers was $21.03, or $43,730 annually, for full-time employment in May 2018. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13.22 per hour ($27,490 annually for full-time work), and the highest 10 percent earned more than $39.91 an hour ($83,010 for full-time work). Tho...

Work Environment

Drywall installation and finishing can be strenuous work. The large, heavy panels are difficult to handle and frequently require more than one person to maneuver them into position. Workers must spend long hours on their feet, often bending and kneeling. To work high up on walls or on ceilings, workers must stand on stilts, ladders, or scaffolding, risking falls. Another possible hazard is inju...

Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that employment for drywall installers and finishers will grow more slowly than the average for all careers from 2018 to 2028. Despite this prediction, the DOL says that employment should be good in the field due to the many new construction projects resulting from population growth and the expected increase in home remodeling projects. A high rate of...