Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Drywall Finisher
- Drywall Hanger
- Drywall Installer
- Metal Framer
Alternate Job Titles
- Acoustical Carpenter
- Acoustical Ceiling Installer
- Acoustical Consultant
- Acoustical Installer
- Acoustical Specialist
- Ceiling Installer
- Dry Wall Installer
- Drywall Application Specialist
- Drywall Applicator
- Drywall Boardhanger
- Drywall Carrier
- Drywall Contractor
- Drywall Finisher
- Drywall Hanger
- Drywall Installer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Building and Construction
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Extent Flexibility
- Near Vision
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Trunk Strength
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Finger Dexterity
- Visualization
- Static Strength
- Oral Expression
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adhesive guns
- Air compressors
- Automatic taping tools
- Box beam levels
- Bullnose trowels
- Caulking guns
- Chalk lines
- Chop saws
- Circle cutters
- Corner knives
- Crowhead hammers
- Drywall hammers
- Drywall hatchets
- Drywall jacks
- Drywall lifts
Work Environment
- Spend Time Standing
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $37,810 |
| Median | $58,140 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $101,380 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 82,900
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,680
Tapers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $64,700
Sheet Metal Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $60,850
Carpenters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $59,310
Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $56,020
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.