Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

SOC code 47-2081 · O*NET-SOC 47-2081.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$58,930

a year

Hourly

$28.33

per hour

10th$38,460Median$58,93090th$102,010

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$63,600

$30.58 per hour

Middle 50%

$47,440 – $74,230

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$38,460 – $102,010

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

83,080

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $38,460; $18.49/hr
25th percentile: $47,440; $22.81/hr
Median percentile: $58,930; $28.33/hr
75th percentile: $74,230; $35.69/hr
90th percentile: $102,010; $49.04/hr

What do drywall and ceiling tile installers do?

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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.
Cut and screw together metal channels to make floor or ceiling frames, according to plans for the location of rooms or hallways.
Hang drywall panels on metal frameworks of walls and ceilings in offices, schools, or other large buildings, using lifts or hoists to adjust panel heights, when necessary.
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.
Cut metal or wood framing and trim to size, using cutting tools.
Cut fixture or border tiles to size, using keyhole saws, and insert them into surrounding frameworks.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 42% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Less than a High School Diploma42%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)24%
Post-Secondary Certificate19%
Some College Courses10%

Common questions

How much does a drywall and ceiling tile installers earn?

The national median is $58,930 a year. The full range runs from $38,460 at the 10th percentile to $102,010 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a drywall and ceiling tile installers without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Critical Thinking3.0/5
Speaking2.9/5
Monitoring2.9/5
Reading Comprehension2.8/5
Active Listening2.8/5

Knowledge areas

Building and Construction4.5/5
Mathematics3.5/5
Mechanical3.3/5
Public Safety and Security3.2/5
Administration and Management3.1/5
Design3.0/5
English Language3.0/5
Engineering and Technology2.7/5

Transferable strengths: Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness.