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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

Median Salary
55,700
Job Outlook
+3%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fireproofing, or acoustical material.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 9,800 openings for drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$24,540

10%

$55,700

Median

$106,870

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Less than high school

    41%

  • High school

    24%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    19%

  • Some college

    9%

  • Bachelor's degree

    4%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Drywall Installation/Drywaller

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    Low

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Math and Science Skills

    Low

  • Technology Design and Control

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Low

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Design
  • Engineering and Technology

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Physical Activity

    High

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Decision Making

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.