Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers earn a median salary of $58,140 per year, ranking in the top 52% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do drywall and ceiling tile installers earn?

The median annual wage for drywall and ceiling tile installers is $58,140. That puts drywall and ceiling tile installers at #420 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is drywall and ceiling tile installers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for drywall and ceiling tile installers is +4.2%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 103K positions in 2024 to 107K in 2034, a net change of 4K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do drywall and ceiling tile installers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working drywall and ceiling tile installers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Read blueprints or other specifications to determine methods of installation, work procedures, or material or tool requirements.
2. 2.Measure and mark surfaces to lay out work, according to blueprints or drawings, using tape measures, straightedges or squares, and marking devices.
3. 3.Cut metal or wood framing and trim to size, using cutting tools.
4. 4.Suspend angle iron grids or channel irons from ceilings, using wire.
5. 5.Coordinate work with drywall finishers who cover the seams between drywall panels.
6. 6.Fasten metal or rockboard lath to the structural framework of walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using nails, screws, staples, or wire-ties.
7. 7.Remove existing plaster, drywall, or paneling, using crowbars and hammers.
8. 8.Inspect furrings, mechanical mountings, or masonry surfaces for plumbness and level, using spirit or water levels.

Top skills for drywall and ceiling tile installers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become drywall and ceiling tile installer?

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
  $106,580 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
  $78,690 median
• Roof Bolters, Mining
  $76,640 median
• Boilermakers
  $73,340 median
• Construction and Building Inspectors
  $72,120 median
• Pile Driver Operators
  $70,510 median

Common questions parents ask about drywall and ceiling tile installers