Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer Careers
A drywall and ceiling tile installer work with home builders and other contractors to add drywall and ceiling tiles in rooms where it’s needed.
Some installers prepare the wallboard for painting, using materials like tape and other construction-related materials, then install it appropriately according to blueprints and exact measurements.
Drywallers and ceiling tile installers work indoors, primarily inside buildings of homes or businesses. Like many other occupations in the construction industry, the work is physically demanding, as there is lots of lifting, bending and reaching and they maneuver bulky, unwieldy pieces of wallboard.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer Career Snapshot
Further details on a career as a drywall and ceiling tile installer are listed below (statistics from the May 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average annual salary for drywall and ceiling tile installers.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have less than a High school diploma while 24% have a High school diploma or equivalent.
Drywall & Ceiling Tile Installer Education
No formal education is required for this job, as most of the learning and training is done on the job. Forty-two percent of drywallers have less than a high school diploma education, while 24 percent have a high school diploma. A small percentage, about 19 percent, have a post-secondary education certificate. Drywaller and ceiling tile installers have existing knowledge about construction materials, equipment, and tools that are involved in the renovating or repairing of walls within a house.
Drywall & Ceiling Tile Installer Job Outlook
Jobs for drywall and ceiling tile installers are expected to grow at a rate of about 5 percent, which is about as fast as all occupations. Individuals who have construction experience should have the best opportunities.
Drywall & Ceiling Tile Installer Salaries
The average yearly salary for a drywall and ceiling tile installer is about $42,280. Those at the high end of the spectrum earn about $79,660, and if you’re just starting out, you can expect to earn about $26,830.
Drywall & Ceiling Tile Installer Job Duties
Drywaller and ceiling tile installers read blueprints to determine the requirements for the work, and measure construction materials accurately for assembly, referring to blueprints and other plans to ensure they’re correctly sized. They use tape measures, straight edges, and squares to make accurate lines and cuts. They cut openings in existing walls to make room for electrical components (such as outlets), vents, plumbing or other fixtures. They fasten wallboard on wood or metal framing using a combination of glue, nails and screws. They also cut wood and metal framing for windows and doorways to size.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer Skills & Traits
| Drywall & Ceiling Tile Installer Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Drywall & Ceiling Tile Installers: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Critical Thinking | • Arm-Hand Steadiness • Extent Flexibility • Manual Dexterity • Near Vision | • Hand sprayers • Drywall lifts • Putty knives • Drywall ripping tools | • Handling and Moving Objects • Getting Information • Performing General Physical Activities • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material |
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