Drywall and ceiling tile installer and taper essential career information:
- 2012 median pay: $37,210
- 2012, number of jobs: 50,380
- Employment growth forecast, 2010-2020: 29 percent
- Entry-level education requirements: Less than high school
Drywall and ceiling tile installers and tapers; what they do:
Most of us take the walls and ceiling around us for granted, but their construction and insulation is due to skilled drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers. Drywall installers and ceiling tile installers hang wallboards to walls and ceilings and will often do the taping for their own projects.
Drywall installer careers include reading design plans and determining how to cut the wallboard in order to minimize waste. They must accurately measure around electrical outlets, plumbing, windows, and vents. After the drywall has been fastened to the wall studs, drywall installers must trim and smooth all rough edges, ensuring the boards join evenly. Drywall installers use tools such as utility knives, power saws, hammers, and screwdrivers.
Ceiling tile installer careers include reading blueprints and preparing measurement accordingly. They attach tiles or sheets of shock absorbing materials on ceilings using cement adhesive, nails, or screws.
Tapers prepare surfaces for drywall installers or ceiling tile installers by patching nail holes and applying tape to cover wallboard joints. Tapers may also apply sealing compound to cover joints or create a more even surface.
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Drywall and ceiling tile installer and taper job titles:
- Framer
- Drywall Hanger
- Drywall Finisher
- Acoustical Carpenters
- Drywall Mechanic
- Exterior Interior Specialist
- Metal Framer
- Drywall Installer
- Sheetrock Hanger
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers and Tapers Education, Certification and License Requirements
A drywall installer career or ceiling tile installer career does not require formal education; rather, these careers generally begin with on-the-job training. Less commonly, drywall installers and ceiling tile installers begin their career with a three to four year formal apprenticeship.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers and tapers programs cover subjects such as:
- Construction basics
- Blueprint reading
- Mathematics
- Building code requirements
- Safety and first-aid practices
Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers and tapers don’t need specific licenses or certifications.
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Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers and Tapers Job Outlook
Forecast: 29 percent increase in employment from 2010 to 2020 for drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Population growth and the subsequent demand for new buildings and homes, as well as renovation of existing homes, increases job opportunities for drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers; drywall is still the most common interior wall covering in the U.S.
The economy’s health greatly affects job opportunities for drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers and Tapers Salary
- 2012 median annual wage: $37,210
- 2012, workers at the 75th percentile annual wage: $50,380
- 2012, workers at the 25th percentile annual wage: $30,370
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Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers and Tapers Major Employers

- Drywall and insulation contractors industry
- Self-employed
