Occupation · SOC 47-2081
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
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.
Median wage
$58,140
$37,810–$101,380
Projected growth
+4.2%
Average growth
Annual openings
430
per year
Employed (US)
82,900
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
24 mapped
Core skills
Critical Thinking
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMathematicsMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareProject management softwareAccounting softwareOptical character reader OCR or scanning softwareOffice suite software
Representative 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.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.Trim rough edges from wallboard to maintain even joints, using knives.Coordinate work with drywall finishers who cover the seams between drywall panels.Suspend angle iron grids or channel irons from ceilings, using wire.Install horizontal and vertical metal or wooden studs to frames so that wallboard can be attached to interior walls.Scribe and cut edges of tile to fit walls where wall molding is not specified.Hang dry lines to wall moldings to guide positioning of main runners.Fasten metal or rockboard lath to the structural framework of walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using nails, screws, staples, or wire-ties.Install blanket insulation between studs and tack plastic moisture barriers over insulation.Seal joints between ceiling tiles and walls.Remove existing plaster, drywall, or paneling, using crowbars and hammers.Apply or mount acoustical tile or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings or walls of buildings to reduce reflection of sound or to decorate rooms.Mount tile, using adhesives, or by nailing, screwing, stapling, or wire-tying lath directly to structural frameworks.Nail channels or wood furring strips to surfaces to provide mounting for tile.Install metal lath where plaster applications will be exposed to weather or water, or for curved or irregular surfaces.Apply cement to backs of tiles and press tiles into place, aligning them with layout marks or joints of previously laid tile.Wash concrete surfaces before mounting tile to increase adhesive qualities of surfaces, using washing soda and zinc sulfate solution.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Blueprints and installation drawings — recognize and identify basic symbols and measurements under direct supervisor guidance on a residential job site.Tape measures and straightedges — use to measure and mark drywall panels according to layout specifications under close supervision in a new construction setting.Wallboard panels — fit and position onto wood stud frameworks using pre-selected fasteners with hands-on direction from a journeyman installer.Keyhole saws and utility knives — operate to cut basic openings for electrical outlets or vents in drywall panels under direct supervision on an interior finish crew.Metal framing components — assist in assembling lightweight decorative trim around doorways and window openings following step-by-step instruction from a lead installer.Hand and power cutting tools — use to cut metal or wood framing members to marked lengths under direct oversight in a commercial interior build-out environment.Spirit levels and squares — apply to check furrings and wall surfaces for plumb and level under the guidance of an experienced crew member on a job site.Border and fixture ceiling tiles — cut to basic dimensions using a keyhole saw and insert into surrounding grid frameworks with supervisor verification on a light commercial project.Job site safety protocols — follow established public safety and PPE procedures when handling drywall materials and cutting tools in an occupied or semi-occupied building.Hand tools and basic fasteners — identify, maintain, and stage for daily use according to crew checklist instructions on a residential or light commercial construction site.
developing
Blueprints and specification sheets — interpret independently to determine installation sequences, material quantities, and tool requirements on routine residential remodel projects.Tape measures, squares, and marking devices — apply with consistent accuracy to lay out multiple wall and ceiling surfaces according to drawing dimensions on a mid-size commercial job.Drywall panels and adhesives — select appropriate fastening method and secure wallboard to both wood and metal stud frameworks with minimal oversight on interior finish projects.Cutting tools and templates — use to measure and cut precise openings for plumbing fixtures, vents, and windows in panels across varied wall configurations on active job sites.Metal framing and decorative trim — assemble and install around windows, doorways, and vent openings to specification tolerances without direct supervision on standard commercial builds.Circular saws and metal snips — cut framing and trim materials to required dimensions efficiently and safely while adapting to varying material gauges on multi-room renovation projects.Spirit levels and water levels — inspect and document plumbness and levelness of furrings and masonry substrates, reporting discrepancies to a foreman before panel installation proceeds.Ceiling grid frameworks — install and align metal grid systems and insert cut border tiles accurately to finish standards on routine office or retail tenant improvement projects.Critical thinking skills — evaluate installation problems such as out-of-square rooms or substrate irregularities and apply practical corrective adjustments within familiar job conditions.Project material lists — calculate panel and trim quantities from drawings and coordinate material staging to support continuous crew productivity on scheduled residential or commercial jobs.
proficient
Complex blueprints and architectural drawings — read and reconcile conflicts between structural, mechanical, and finish specifications to plan full installation sequences on large commercial projects.Layout instruments and digital measuring tools — apply to establish precise reference lines and control points across expansive ceiling and wall surfaces on multi-floor construction sites.Specialty drywall systems — select, fit, and fasten fire-rated, moisture-resistant, or impact-resistant wallboard to mixed substrates using appropriate adhesives and fastener patterns without oversight.Non-standard fixture cutouts — measure, template, and cut complex or irregularly shaped openings for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing penetrations in panels across demanding field conditions.Custom metal framing assemblies — design and install curved or angled soffit, chase, and decorative trim structures to architectural detail drawings on high-specification interior fit-outs.Power cutting and framing equipment — operate and troubleshoot a full range of saws, routers, and framing tools to achieve precise dimensions and quality finishes on non-routine installations.Substrate inspection and remediation — assess furrings, masonry, and mechanical mounts for level, plumb, and structural soundness, specifying corrective action before proceeding on complex renovation sites.Intricate ceiling tile patterns — plan, cut, and install decorative and acoustical tile layouts including angled borders and custom insets to finish tolerances on corporate or institutional projects.Quality control processes — conduct systematic self-inspection of completed drywall and ceiling installations against specification tolerances and building codes on multi-trade commercial job sites.Project management software and field documentation — use digital tools to track installation progress, log materials consumed, and communicate schedule updates to general contractors on active projects.
advanced
Installation standards and best practices — establish and communicate crew-wide methods, quality benchmarks, and safety protocols across multiple concurrent drywall and ceiling projects for a contracting firm.Complex project blueprints and submittals — lead pre-construction review sessions with architects, engineers, and GC teams to resolve drawing conflicts and confirm scope for large-scale commercial builds.Workforce training programs — develop and deliver structured on-the-job instruction covering layout, fastening, cutting, and framing techniques to apprentice and developing installers across field crews.Metal framing and specialty system scopes — oversee planning and execution of advanced assemblies including seismic, sound-rated, and curtain-wall-adjacent drywall systems on complex institutional projects.Productivity and material efficiency — analyze crew output, waste rates, and scheduling data using project management software to drive continuous improvement across a multi-crew installation operation.Subcontractor and supplier relationships — negotiate material procurement, delivery schedules, and scope agreements to ensure uninterrupted workflow and cost control on high-volume commercial contracts.Safety culture and compliance — lead site-wide safety orientation, hazard assessments, and incident investigations ensuring adherence to OSHA and public safety standards across all installation teams.Estimating and bidding processes — review project drawings and specifications to produce accurate labor and material estimates, supporting business development for a drywall and ceiling contracting company.Mentorship and performance management — coach developing and proficient installers through structured feedback, skills assessments, and career development planning to build long-term crew capability.Organizational quality systems — design and implement inspection checklists, rework tracking, and closeout documentation processes that ensure consistent finish quality and client satisfaction firm-wide.
Also known as
66 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
RemodelerDrywall Application SpecialistDrywall HangerDrywallerStructural (Air Force 3E3X1)Drywall StripperRock LatherConstruction Engineering Technician (Army 120A)Wheeled Vehicle Repairer (Army 91B)Sheet Rock HangerBuilder (Navy BU)Structural Journeyman (Air Force 3E351)Sheet Rock FinisherAcoustical SpecialistAcoustical CarpenterDry-Wall ApplicatorDry Wall InstallerStructural Helper (Air Force 3E311)Sheet RockerMaterial Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)FurrerSheet Rock InstallerSheet Rock ApplierSheet Rock ApplicatorAcoustical Ceiling InstallerCarpentry and Masonry Specialist (Army 12W)Drywall TaperRemodeling ContractorInterior SpecialistCeiling InstallerMetal LatherSheet Rock NailerSheet Rock LayerDamage Controlman (Coast Guard DC)LatherDrywall ProfessionalDrywall Metal Stud WorkerStructural Craftsman (Air Force 3E371)Sheet Rock WorkerDrywall Carrier