Drywall Installer Resume Examples by Level (2026)

Drywall Installer Resume Examples: Proven Templates That Get Hired in 2026

The construction industry needs 439,000 new workers in 2025 alone, and drywall installers rank among the hardest skilled trades to fill according to the Associated Builders and Contractors. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 8,800 annual openings for drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers through 2034, qualified candidates who present their skills correctly on paper have genuine leverage in this market. The problem is that most drywall installers undersell themselves: they list duties instead of output, omit certifications that signal safety compliance, and skip the quantified production numbers that hiring managers at commercial contractors actually screen for. This guide fixes that.

TL;DR

Drywall installer resumes must lead with quantified production rates (sheets per day, square footage per week), safety certifications (OSHA 30-Hour, EPA RRP Lead-Safe), and finishing competency levels (Level 1 through Level 5 per ASTM C840). The three resume examples below cover an apprentice entering the trade, a journeyman-level installer handling commercial projects, and a working foreman managing crews on multi-million-dollar builds. Each bullet is quantified. Each company is real. Each certification is verifiable.

Why This Role Matters

Drywall and ceiling tile installers held approximately 103,100 jobs in 2024, with tapers accounting for an additional 15,600 positions according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual wage reached $58,140 in May 2024, with the top 10% earning above $101,380. Employment is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, matching the national average for all occupations. But those numbers understate the real opportunity. The National Association of Home Builders estimates the skilled labor shortage costs the residential construction sector $10.8 billion annually, with $2.663 billion in higher carrying costs alone. The Associated General Contractors of America reports that workforce shortages are the leading cause of project delays in 2025, and immigration enforcement changes have affected nearly one-third of construction firms. Meanwhile, the NCCER estimates 41% of the current construction workforce will retire by 2031, with one in five workers already over age 55. For drywall installers specifically, the Walls & Ceilings 2026 construction forecast notes that tenant improvements and specialty finishes are producing higher-margin projects, but labor shortages influence every phase of delivery. Installers who can document Level 4 and Level 5 finishing capabilities, commercial project experience, and safety certifications are commanding premium rates. The takeaway: this is a seller's market for qualified drywall installers, but only if your resume proves you belong in that qualified category.

Resume Example 1: Apprentice Drywall Installer (0-2 Years Experience)

**MARCUS DELGADO** Phoenix, AZ 85009 | (602) 555-0147 | [email protected]

**PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY** First-year drywall apprentice with 14 months of hands-on installation experience across 6 residential projects totaling 47,000 sq ft. Completed OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety certification and scored 94% on Arizona ROC trade knowledge exam. Consistently hang 45-50 sheets of 4x8 drywall per 8-hour shift while maintaining zero safety incidents across 2,100+ job-site hours.

**CERTIFICATIONS** - OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety (Card #A-4829301, 2025) - First Aid/CPR (American Red Cross, valid through 2027) - Arizona ROC Apprentice Registration (Active) - Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Operator Certification (2025)

**SKILLS** Drywall Hanging | Board Cutting & Fitting | Screw Gun Operation | Drywall Lift Operation | T-Square Layout | Utility Knife Scoring | Measuring & Layout | Blueprint Reading (Basic) | Level 1-2 Finishing | Joint Taping | Corner Bead Installation | Dust Barrier Setup | PPE Compliance | Scaffolding Assembly

**WORK EXPERIENCE** **Apprentice Drywall Installer** Daley Drywall & Acoustics | Phoenix, AZ | March 2025 - Present - Hang 45-50 sheets of 1/2" and 5/8" Type X drywall per 8-hour shift on residential projects averaging 2,800 sq ft per unit, completing board installation 2 days ahead of schedule on 3 of 4 assigned projects - Operate drywall lift to position 12-foot ceiling boards on 2-story great rooms, reducing crew requirement from 3 installers to 2 and saving 16 labor-hours per project - Cut and fit drywall around 120+ electrical boxes, HVAC registers, and plumbing penetrations per project with less than 1/8" gap tolerance, achieving zero rework callbacks on final inspection - Load and stage 1,800+ sheets of drywall across 6 active job sites using material handling protocols that reduced board breakage from 4.2% to 1.1% over 8-month period - Maintain 100% PPE compliance and zero recordable safety incidents across 1,400+ hours, contributing to company's 0.92 EMR rating **Construction Laborer** Haydon Building Corp | Tempe, AZ | June 2024 - February 2025 - Supported drywall and framing crews on 3 commercial tenant improvement projects totaling 62,000 sq ft across Tempe Marketplace retail spaces - Delivered materials to work areas using pallet jacks and forklifts, moving 400+ sheets per day across multi-floor commercial buildings with zero damage incidents - Installed 2,400 linear feet of metal corner bead across 4 projects, maintaining plumb within 1/16" per 8-foot run as verified by superintendent spot checks - Cleaned and prepared 38,000 sq ft of subfloor and wall surfaces for drywall installation, removing debris and verifying stud spacing at 16" and 24" OC per specifications

**EDUCATION** Arizona Builders Alliance Apprenticeship Program | Phoenix, AZ Drywall Installer Apprentice (In Progress) | 2025 - Present - 144 classroom hours completed (of 576 required) - Topics: Blueprint reading, building codes, material estimation, safety standards

Resume Example 2: Journeyman Drywall Installer (5-8 Years Experience)

**JAMES KOWALSKI** Chicago, IL 60632 | (773) 555-0283 | [email protected]

**PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY** Journeyman drywall installer and finisher with 7 years of commercial and institutional experience, including 3 years specializing in Level 4 and Level 5 finishes on healthcare and corporate office projects. Completed 340,000+ sq ft of installed drywall across 28 commercial projects ranging from $1.2M to $18M in contract value. OSHA 30-Hour certified with EPA RRP Lead-Safe Renovator credential. Proficient in automatic taping tools, fire-rated assemblies, and sound-rated partition systems.

**CERTIFICATIONS** - Journeyman Drywall Installer (Carpenters Union Local 1185, 2023) - OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety (Card #C-7491028, 2024) - EPA RRP Lead-Safe Certified Renovator (Cert #R-IL-20241892, valid through 2029) - Powder-Actuated Tool (PAT) Operator License (2022) - ICRA Infection Control Risk Assessment (2024) - Forklift/Telescopic Handler Certification (2023)

**SKILLS** Level 1-5 Drywall Finishing | Automatic Taping Tools (Bazooka) | Flat Box Operation (7", 10", 12") | Fire-Rated Assembly Installation (UL Designs) | STC/IIC Sound-Rated Partitions | Moisture-Resistant (MR) Board | Abuse-Resistant Drywall | Shaft Wall Systems | Furring Channel Layout | Radius/Curved Wall Framing | Blueprint & Shop Drawing Interpretation | Material Takeoff & Estimation | Laser Level Layout | Crew Coordination (2-4 Installers)

**WORK EXPERIENCE** **Journeyman Drywall Installer / Finisher** Anning-Johnson Company | Chicago, IL | April 2022 - Present - Install and finish 55-65 sheets of 5/8" Type X drywall per shift on commercial healthcare projects, completing 142,000 sq ft of board-on-wall across 4 hospital renovation phases at Northwestern Medicine campus totaling $14.2M in drywall scope - Execute Level 5 finishes on 38,000 sq ft of executive office and patient-facing corridor walls at Rush University Medical Center, achieving 100% first-pass acceptance from general contractor's quality inspector on 3 consecutive floors - Build and install 6,200 linear feet of shaft wall assemblies (USG Cavity Shaft Wall System) on a 12-story mixed-use tower, coordinating with fire protection contractor to maintain 2-hour fire-rated separation per UL Design U419 - Operate BTE Tapemaster automatic taping and finishing tools (bazooka, flat boxes, corner applicators), increasing taping production by 35% compared to hand-taping methods while maintaining Level 4 finish quality - Apply skim coats using 12" flat box on 24,000 sq ft of Level 5 surfaces for high-gloss paint specification, maintaining flatness tolerance within 1/32" over 12-foot straightedge per ASTM C840 standards - Train and mentor 3 apprentice installers on proper screw patterns (12" OC field, 8" OC edges), joint treatment sequences, and inspection readiness, resulting in all 3 advancing to second-year status **Drywall Installer** Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI) | Romeoville, IL | June 2019 - March 2022 - Installed 148,000 sq ft of drywall across 16 commercial projects including 4 K-12 school renovations, 3 retail build-outs, and 2 data center expansions ranging from $800K to $6.5M contract value - Hung abuse-resistant drywall (National Gypsum Hi-Abuse XP) in school corridors totaling 12,400 sq ft, meeting the school district's 20-year lifecycle requirement and passing impact resistance testing - Framed and boarded 2,800 linear feet of radius walls and soffits on a corporate headquarters lobby using 1/4" flexible drywall, pre-wetting and double-layering to achieve 6-foot minimum radius curves without cracking - Maintained daily production logs tracking sheets hung, compound applied (gallons), and tape consumed (rolls), supporting PCI's project cost tracking system and contributing to 3.8% under-budget completion on 2 school projects - Achieved zero OSHA recordable incidents across 6,240 work hours over 34-month tenure, contributing to PCI's 0.78 Experience Modification Rate (EMR) **Apprentice Drywall Installer** F.E. Moran Group | Northbrook, IL | August 2017 - May 2019 - Completed 4-year Carpenters Union Local 1185 apprenticeship program (576 classroom hours, 8,000 OJT hours), graduating with 3.7/4.0 GPA and earning journeyman certification in May 2023 - Hung 35-45 sheets per shift during apprenticeship on 8 commercial projects, progressing from material handling to solo installation by month 14 - Assisted senior finishers on 26,000 sq ft of Level 3 and Level 4 finishing on a 4-story office building, learning compound mixing ratios, coat sequencing, and sanding techniques that reduced touch-up requirements by 18%

**EDUCATION** Carpenters Union Local 1185 Apprenticeship Program | Chicago, IL Journeyman Certificate, Drywall Installation & Finishing | 2017 - 2023 - 576 classroom hours, 8,000 on-the-job training hours - Curriculum: Blueprint reading, building codes, estimating, safety, fire-rated assemblies

Resume Example 3: Drywall Foreman (10+ Years Experience)

**ROBERT "BOBBY" TRAN** Houston, TX 77036 | (713) 555-0394 | [email protected]

**PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY** Drywall foreman with 14 years of progressive experience managing crews of 8-22 installers on commercial, healthcare, and institutional projects from $2M to $45M in total contract value. Directed completion of 1.2M+ sq ft of installed drywall across 42 projects with a 96.4% on-time delivery rate and an average safety record of 0.71 EMR. Certified in OSHA 30-Hour, EPA RRP Lead-Safe, and LEED Green Associate. Experienced with BIM coordination, Procore project management, and union labor agreements (Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters).

**CERTIFICATIONS** - OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety (Card #C-2847193, 2024) - EPA RRP Lead-Safe Certified Renovator (Cert #R-TX-20231047, valid through 2028) - LEED Green Associate (GBCI #11084729, 2023) - Scaffolding Competent Person (2022) - Confined Space Entry (2023) - First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor (American Red Cross, 2024) - Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation - Journeyman Registration (Active)

**SKILLS** Crew Management (8-22 Installers) | Production Scheduling & Sequencing | Material Takeoff & Procurement | Procore Project Management | BIM Clash Detection Coordination | Quality Control Inspection (Levels 1-5) | Fire-Rated & Sound-Rated Assemblies | ASTM C840/C1047 Standards | USG/National Gypsum/CertainTeed Product Systems | Union Labor Coordination | Subcontractor Interface | Budget Tracking & Cost Reporting | Safety Program Implementation | Pre-Task Planning | Punchlist Management

**WORK EXPERIENCE** **Drywall Foreman / Working Foreman** Marek Family of Companies | Houston, TX | January 2021 - Present - Direct crews of 12-22 drywall installers and finishers across 3-5 concurrent commercial projects, managing daily production targets averaging 4,200 sq ft of board-on-wall per day across active crews - Completed 480,000 sq ft of drywall installation on the Texas Children's Hospital Lester & Sue Smith Legacy Tower ($38M drywall/framing package), delivering 18 occupied floors on schedule with zero infection control breaches during ICRA Class IV renovation phases - Managed material procurement for $2.8M annual drywall budget, negotiating bulk pricing with USG and National Gypsum suppliers that reduced material costs by 8.2% ($229,600 savings) over 2024 fiscal year - Coordinate BIM clash detection reviews using Navisworks weekly, identifying and resolving 47 MEP/drywall conflicts before field installation on a 14-story office tower, eliminating an estimated 340 rework hours - Implement pre-task safety planning for all crew members, maintaining a 0.68 EMR and 847 consecutive days without a lost-time incident across $12.4M in annual drywall scope - Reduced average punchlist items from 3.2 per 1,000 sq ft to 0.8 per 1,000 sq ft by instituting crew self-inspection protocol with checklist verification at each finishing level transition - Mentor 6 apprentices annually through Marek's internal training program, with 4 advancing to journeyman status in 2024 and 2 receiving the company's Craft Professional of the Year nomination **Lead Installer / Foreman** Branch Civil / Interior Specialties Division | Houston, TX | March 2016 - December 2020 - Led crews of 8-14 installers on 18 commercial projects totaling 520,000 sq ft of drywall, including 4 Class A office build-outs, 3 medical office buildings, and 2 higher-education facilities ranging from $1.8M to $11M - Installed and supervised completion of 84,000 sq ft of Level 5 finish in MD Anderson Cancer Center outpatient clinic, coordinating with painting contractor to meet high-gloss specification on 22-foot feature walls in 3 public lobbies - Built and managed project schedules in Procore for drywall scope, tracking 14 milestones per project and achieving 94% milestone hit rate across all 18 projects during 5-year tenure - Executed 6,800 linear feet of 3-hour fire-rated shaft wall (CertainTeed Shaft Liner System) on a 9-story residential tower, passing all 4 fire marshal inspections without deficiencies noted - Reduced material waste from 11.3% to 6.7% by implementing a board-cutting optimization plan that matched sheet sizes to wall dimensions before delivery, saving $47,200 in material costs across 2019-2020 projects **Journeyman Drywall Installer** KHS&S Contractors | Houston, TX | September 2011 - February 2016 - Installed 360,000+ sq ft of drywall across 12 large-scale commercial projects including the Houston Marriott Marquis convention hotel (1,000 rooms) and NRG Stadium renovation - Achieved consistent production of 55-65 sheets per shift on standard commercial walls, ranking in the top 15% of production metrics among 40+ journeymen in KHS&S Houston office - Specialized in decorative soffits and multi-level ceiling framing for hospitality projects, completing 14,000 sq ft of custom cofferred ceiling grid at the Marriott Marquis ballroom with ±1/8" tolerance on all grid intersections - Progressed from journeyman to crew lead within 2.5 years based on production output, zero safety incidents (11,200+ hours), and positive evaluations from 3 project superintendents

**EDUCATION** Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Apprenticeship Program | Houston, TX Journeyman Certificate, Drywall Installation & Finishing | 2011 - 2015 - 8,000 OJT hours, 576 classroom hours - Honor graduate (top 5% of class) OSHA Outreach Trainer Course (Construction) | University of Texas at Arlington OSHA 500 Trainer Authorization | 2023

ATS Keywords for Drywall Installer Resumes

Include these terms naturally throughout your resume. ATS systems at large contractors (Marek, Performance Contracting, Anning-Johnson) and staffing agencies (Tradesmen International, PeopleReady Skilled Trades) scan for exact-match keywords: | Category | Keywords | |----------|----------| | **Core Installation** | drywall installation, drywall hanging, board hanging, sheetrock installation, gypsum board, ceiling tile installation, taping, mudding, joint compound, joint treatment | | **Finishing Levels** | Level 1 finish, Level 2 finish, Level 3 finish, Level 4 finish, Level 5 finish, skim coat, ASTM C840, texture application, sanding, feathering | | **Specialty Systems** | fire-rated assembly, UL design, shaft wall, sound-rated partition, STC rating, IIC rating, moisture-resistant board, abuse-resistant drywall, Type X drywall, flexible drywall | | **Tools & Equipment** | automatic taping tools, bazooka, flat box, corner applicator, drywall lift, screw gun, T-square, utility knife, router, drywall router, sander, pole sander, laser level, scaffolding | | **Safety & Compliance** | OSHA 30-Hour, OSHA 10-Hour, EPA RRP, lead-safe, PPE compliance, fall protection, scaffolding competent person, ICRA, infection control, confined space | | **Management** | crew supervision, production scheduling, material takeoff, quality control, Procore, punchlist, BIM coordination, subcontractor coordination, apprentice training | | **Materials & Brands** | USG, National Gypsum, CertainTeed, Georgia-Pacific, PABCO, Gold Bond, Sheetrock brand, ProForm, Hamilton |

Skills Breakdown

Technical Skills (Must-Have)

• **Drywall Hanging**: Measuring, cutting, and fastening gypsum board to wood and metal stud framing. Production rates matter: 40-65 sheets per shift depending on complexity.
• **Finishing (Levels 1-5)**: Each level defined by ASTM C840. Level 5 (full skim coat) commands premium rates and is required for high-gloss paint and critical lighting conditions.
• **Fire-Rated Assembly**: Knowledge of UL-listed designs (U419, U425, V438) for 1-hour, 2-hour, and 3-hour fire-rated walls and shaft walls. Inspectors verify screw patterns, sealant, and board type.
• **Blueprint Reading**: Interpreting architectural drawings, partition schedules, and shop drawings to identify board type, finish level, and fire rating per wall.
• **Material Estimation**: Calculating board quantities, tape, compound, screws, and corner bead from plan takeoffs. Accuracy directly affects project profitability.
• **Tool Proficiency**: Automatic taping tools (bazooka, flat boxes), drywall lifts, screw guns, routers, and power sanders. Automatic tools increase taping production 30-40% over hand methods.

Soft Skills (Differentiators)

• **Production Awareness**: Tracking daily output against schedule. Foremen and GCs want installers who self-monitor without being managed.
• **Quality Self-Inspection**: Checking your own work before QC walks. The best installers reduce punchlist items to near zero.
• **Team Coordination**: Communicating with framers, electricians, plumbers, and painters about sequencing, access, and readiness.
• **Mentorship**: Training apprentices is valued by union contractors and signals readiness for foreman promotion.
• **Problem Solving**: Adapting to field conditions (out-of-plumb walls, unexpected pipes, design changes) without waiting for direction.

Common Mistakes on Drywall Installer Resumes

1. Listing Duties Instead of Output

**Wrong**: "Responsible for installing drywall on residential and commercial projects." **Right**: "Installed 55-65 sheets of 5/8" Type X drywall per shift on commercial healthcare projects totaling 142,000 sq ft across 4 hospital renovation phases." The first tells a recruiter nothing. The second proves production capability, board type knowledge, and project scale.

2. Omitting Finishing Level Competency

Most installers write "drywall finishing" without specifying levels. A Level 2 finish (garage, utility) and a Level 5 finish (hospital corridor, executive office) are entirely different skills with different pay rates. State your highest competent level explicitly.

3. Missing Safety Certifications

OSHA 10-Hour is table stakes. OSHA 30-Hour is expected for journeymen and required for foremen on most commercial projects. EPA RRP Lead-Safe certification is legally required for pre-1978 renovation work. If you have these, list them with card numbers and dates. If you do not, get them.

4. No Project Scale or Dollar Values

"Worked on a hospital" means nothing. "Completed 480,000 sq ft of drywall installation on a $38M hospital tower" tells a hiring manager exactly where you fit in their crew roster. Include square footage, project value, and building type.

5. Ignoring Specialty Systems

Fire-rated assemblies, shaft walls, sound-rated partitions, moisture-resistant board, abuse-resistant panels, and radius walls are premium skills. If you have installed any of these, name the specific system (e.g., "USG Cavity Shaft Wall System, UL Design U419"). Generic "specialty drywall" is not useful.

6. Leaving Off Union Affiliation

Union contractors want to see your local number, journeyman card status, and apprenticeship completion. Non-union contractors want to see equivalent experience hours. Either way, document your training path.

7. Using a Functional Resume Format

Construction hiring managers expect reverse-chronological format. Functional or skills-based formats suggest you are hiding gaps or lack of progression. List your jobs in order, most recent first, with quantified bullets under each.

Professional Summary Examples

Apprentice / Entry-Level

"Drywall apprentice with 14 months of residential installation experience across 6 projects totaling 47,000 sq ft. OSHA 10-Hour certified with zero recordable incidents in 2,100+ job-site hours. Consistently hang 45-50 sheets per 8-hour shift with less than 1/8" gap tolerance on cuts around penetrations. Seeking journeyman-track position with a commercial contractor offering structured apprenticeship advancement."

Journeyman / Mid-Career

"Journeyman drywall installer and finisher with 7 years of commercial experience, OSHA 30-Hour certification, and EPA RRP Lead-Safe credential. Completed 340,000+ sq ft of installed drywall across 28 projects up to $18M contract value, specializing in Level 4 and Level 5 finishes for healthcare and corporate environments. Proficient in automatic taping tools, fire-rated assemblies per UL design, and shaft wall systems. Zero OSHA recordable incidents in 12,000+ career hours."

Foreman / Senior

"Drywall foreman with 14 years of progressive field experience managing crews of 8-22 installers on commercial projects from $2M to $45M. Directed 1.2M+ sq ft of drywall completion with 96.4% on-time delivery and 0.71 EMR across 42 projects. LEED Green Associate with expertise in BIM coordination, Procore scheduling, and union labor management. Reduced punchlist defects by 75% through crew self-inspection protocols and reduced material waste from 11.3% to 6.7% through board-cutting optimization."

Frequently Asked Questions

What format should a drywall installer resume use?

Reverse-chronological is the only format construction hiring managers take seriously. Your most recent job goes first, with 4-6 quantified bullet points per position. One page for under 10 years of experience; two pages are acceptable for foremen or superintendents with 10+ years and multiple project types.

Do I need certifications to get hired as a drywall installer?

You do not legally need certifications for basic installation in most states, but you will not get hired by any reputable commercial contractor without at minimum an OSHA 10-Hour card. OSHA 30-Hour is expected for journeymen and required for foremen. EPA RRP Lead-Safe certification is legally required for any renovation work on pre-1978 buildings under the EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule. Union apprenticeship programs bundle most required training into their curriculum.

How do I quantify drywall work on a resume?

Use three metrics consistently: sheets hung per shift (40-65 is the typical commercial range), total square footage per project, and project dollar value. Add finishing level (Level 1-5), board type (1/2", 5/8" Type X, moisture-resistant, abuse-resistant), and building type (residential, commercial, healthcare, institutional). Example: "Installed 65 sheets of 5/8" Type X per shift on a $14.2M hospital renovation totaling 142,000 sq ft with Level 5 finish."

What is the difference between drywall finishing levels?

The five levels are defined by ASTM C840 and the Gypsum Association's GA-214 document. Level 0: no finishing. Level 1: tape embedded in joint compound (concealed areas like above ceilings). Level 2: tape plus one coat of compound (areas receiving tile or paneling). Level 3: tape plus two coats (areas receiving heavy texture). Level 4: tape plus three coats, sanded smooth (standard paint-ready). Level 5: Level 4 plus a full skim coat over the entire surface (required for high-gloss, enamel, or critical lighting conditions). Higher levels require more skill, more time, and command higher hourly rates.

Should I list tools on my drywall resume?

Yes, but list specific tools, not generic categories. "Automatic taping tools" is a category; "BTE Tapemaster bazooka, 7" and 10" flat boxes, angle applicator" is specific and proves hands-on experience. Similarly, "drywall lift" is better than "heavy equipment." Power tools worth listing: screw guns (DeWalt, Senco), drywall routers, power sanders, laser levels, and powder-actuated tools (Ramset, Hilti).

How important is safety record on a drywall resume?

Extremely important. Commercial general contractors evaluate subcontractors partly on their Experience Modification Rate (EMR). Installers with documented zero-incident records directly improve their company's EMR. Include your personal safety record: total hours worked without a recordable incident, any safety awards, and certifications like Scaffolding Competent Person or Confined Space Entry. Foremen should mention EMR numbers and consecutive days without lost-time incidents.

What pay can I expect at different experience levels?

According to BLS data from May 2024, the median annual wage for drywall and ceiling tile installers is $58,140. The lowest 10% earn below $37,810 (typically apprentices), while the top 10% earn above $101,380 (experienced foremen in high-cost markets). Tapers specifically earn a median of $64,700 due to the specialized finishing skill. Hawaii ($75,310 average), Minnesota, and Washington rank among the highest-paying states. Union scale rates in major metros (Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Houston) typically run $35-55/hour base plus benefits.

Citations

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Drywall Installers, Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers." *Occupational Outlook Handbook*, U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/drywall-and-ceiling-tile-installers-and-tapers.htm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "47-2081 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers." *Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics*, May 2024. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes472081.htm
3. Academy of Craft Training. "Construction Workforce Shortage 2025: Why the Industry Needs 439,000 New Workers." 2025. https://academyofcrafttraining.org/construction-workforce-shortage-2025/
4. Associated General Contractors of America. "Construction Workforce Shortages Are Leading Cause of Project Delays as Immigration Enforcement Affects Nearly 1/3 of Firms." August 2025. https://www.agc.org/news/2025/08/28/construction-workforce-shortages-are-leading-cause-project-delays-immigration-enforcement-affects
5. Walls & Ceilings Magazine. "U.S. Construction Forecast 2026: Modest Growth, Severe Labor Shortages, and Rising Demand for Skilled Trades." 2025. https://www.wconline.com/articles/97954-2026-construction-forecast
6. National Association of Home Builders / Home Builders Institute. "HBI Report Reveals Economic Impact of Labor Shortages on Housing Production." October 2025. https://www.nahb.org/blog/2025/10/hbi-labor-market-report
7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Apply For or Update Your Renovation Firm's Lead-Safe Certification." https://www.epa.gov/lead/getcertified
8. Anning-Johnson Company. "History." https://anningjohnson.com/about/history/
9. Gypsum Association. "GA-214: Recommended Levels of Gypsum Board Finish." Referenced via Hyde Tools drywall finishing levels guide. https://hydetools.com/blogs/better-finish-blog/drywall-finish-levels
10. National Gypsum Company. "The Drywall Finishing Glossary: Key Terms to Know." *NG Connects Blog*. https://www.nationalgypsum.com/ngconnects/blog/building-knowledge/drywall-finishing-terms-to-know