Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Construction and Extraction
Reads blueprints and specifications, then measures and marks walls and ceilings so panels and tiles go on in the right place. Wallboard is cut and fastened to wood or metal framing with glue, nails, or screws, and openings are cut for outlets, windows, vents, and plumbing. The work also includes assembling metal framing or trim, checking surfaces with a level so they are plumb, and cutting border tiles to fit. Some of the job is fastening lath as a base for plaster, fireproofing, or acoustical material. It suits people who like careful measuring, fitting materials by hand, and working from drawings inside buildings.
Typical education: Less than a High School Diploma
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$58'930
Median Wage Market Position
$58'930
What you might do
- Fasten drywall sheets to wood or metal framing
- Measure and mark walls from the drawings
- Cut openings in panels for outlets and vents
- Hang sound-absorbing tiles on ceilings and walls
- Fit metal framing and trim around windows
- Check framing and walls for plumb and level
Skills that matter
- Specs and blueprints read for the room
- Layout marks with tape and square
- Wallboard fitted and fastened in place
- Openings cut for outlets, windows, and vents
- Framing checked for plumb and level
- Install order talked through with the crew
AI & the future of this role
Installing drywall and ceiling systems involves measuring, cutting, lifting, and fitting materials in unfinished interiors. Scheduling software might streamline logistics, but the physical install and on-site problem-solving tend to resist remote automation.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details