Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $58,930/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$38,460$102,010

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +4.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 7,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Critical ThinkingSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementMonitoringCoordinationReading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingSocial Perceptiveness

Top knowledge areas

Building and ConstructionMathematicsMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementDesignEnglish LanguageEngineering and Technology

Core tasks

• Read blueprints or other specifications to determine methods of installation, work procedures, or material or tool requirements.

• Measure and mark surfaces to lay out work, according to blueprints or drawings, using tape measures, straightedges or squares, and marking devices.

• Fit and fasten wallboard or drywall into position on wood or metal frameworks, using glue, nails, or screws.

• Measure and cut openings in panels or tiles for electrical outlets, windows, vents, plumbing, or other fixtures, using keyhole saws or other cutting tools.

• Assemble or install metal framing or decorative trim for windows, doorways, or vents.

• Cut metal or wood framing and trim to size, using cutting tools.

• Inspect furrings, mechanical mountings, or masonry surfaces for plumbness and level, using spirit or water levels.

• Cut fixture or border tiles to size, using keyhole saws, and insert them into surrounding frameworks.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers?

The median pay for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers is $58,930 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers?

Employment for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers is projected to change +4.2% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers?

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

How many job openings are there each year for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers?

About 7,700 openings per year, on average, over the decade.