Drywall Installer
Hang and finish drywall — the trade that comes after framing and electrical, before paint. Drywall installers turn studs and rough openings into smooth interior walls and ceilings.
Drywall Installer goes by many names
On KinTrades, all of these job titles route to the Drywall Installer trade — so search any of them and you'll find matching work.
Day to day on the job
Drywall installers measure, cut, and hang gypsum board on walls and ceilings. After hanging, finishers tape joints, mud (multiple coats), sand, and prep for paint. The work is dusty, repetitive, and physical — but production-paced and reliably hiring.
Specializations diverge between hanging and finishing. Hangers move fast on ceilings and walls, often paid by the board. Tapers/Finishers do the joint compound and sanding — slower, higher pay. Acoustic Ceiling Installers do drop-tile commercial ceilings.
Most drywall workers come up through residential helpers and progress into commercial work where the pay is better. UBC and IUPAT (for finishers specifically) are the union tracks; ABC covers both.
How you move up as a Drywall Installer
UBC covers drywall hanging; IUPAT covers drywall finishing specifically. Most workers progress through hanging or finishing tracks separately. BLS OES 47-2081, May 2025.
Apprentice — what this rung looks like
What Drywall Installers earn in VA, DC, MD & NC
Pay data: BLS OEWS · May 2025 · VA · DC · MD · NC. Expanding nationally.
Is Drywall Installer a growing trade?
Core craft + supporting skills
Core skills (orange) are required for the Drywall Installer trade; supporting skills (gray) round out a well-rounded journeyworker.
Paths into the Drywall Installer trade
UBC Carpenters (Drywall Track)
Mid-Atlantic Carpenters Regional Council covers VA/DC/MD/NC. UBC →
IUPAT Drywall Finisher
IUPAT District Council 51 (VA/DC/MD), DC 57 (NC) — the union for drywall finishers and tapers specifically. IUPAT →
ABC Drywall Apprenticeship
DOL-Registered drywall apprenticeships through ABC Virginia, ABC Metro Washington, ABC Greater Baltimore.
Direct hire on drywall crew
Most drywall workers come in as helpers and learn on the job. No prior credentials required.
Common pathways into Drywall Installer work
KinTrades welcomes Drywall Installer workers from every walk of life. Whether you're a veteran transitioning out of service, a student planning your career, or someone returning to work — there's a clear path in.
Veterans
Army 12W Carpentry & Masonry Specialist and Air Force 3E3X1 Structural cover drywall in their respective civil-engineering scopes.
Helmets to Hardhats connects veterans to UBC, IUPAT, and ABC drywall apprenticeships.
The GI Bill covers apprenticeship-related fees.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
Drywall is one of the lowest-barrier construction trades — direct hire as a helper requires no prior credentials. HS construction CTE programs include drywall coursework.
UBC/IUPAT/ABC apprenticeships start at age 18.
FastForward VA covers tuition for VA students.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
Drywall is among the most second-chance friendly construction trades — most drywall subcontractors hire on physical readiness and production speed.
Background checks are uncommon at entry level.
UBC, IUPAT, and ABC apprenticeships consider applicants with felony histories case-by-case.
Second-chance hiringCertifications, apprenticeships & licensing for Drywall Installers
Certifications that move you up
- EPA Lead Renovator (RRP) Certification (Lead RRP) Recommended
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction (OSHA-10) Recommended
Registered apprenticeship programs
- Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters — Registered Apprenticeship (JATC) 4 yr
- Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters — Registered Apprenticeship (JATC) 4 yr
- Southern Regional Council of Carpenters — Registered Apprenticeship (JATC) 4 yr
- Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters — Registered Apprenticeship (JATC) 4 yr
Union locals in our region
- Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters DC, MD, VA
- Southern Regional Council of Carpenters NC
If Drywall Installer interests you, also look at
Common questions about becoming a Drywall Installer
What does a Drywall Installer do?
Drywall installers measure, cut, and hang gypsum board on walls and ceilings. After hanging, finishers tape joints, mud (multiple coats), sand, and prep for paint. The work is dusty, repetitive, and physical — but production-paced and reliably hiring.
What does a Drywall Installer make in Virginia, DC, Maryland, and North Carolina?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2025, Drywall Installers earn an annual median of $56K in Virginia (range $39K–$71K), $59K in DC ($38K–$102K), $55K in Maryland ($39K–$73K), and $45K in North Carolina ($31K–$60K).
How do you become a Drywall Installer?
UBC Carpenters (Drywall Track): Mid-Atlantic Carpenters Regional Council covers VA/DC/MD/NC. UBC →
How long is Drywall Installer apprenticeship in Virginia, DC, Maryland, or North Carolina?
2–4 years to journey-level. UBC covers drywall hanging; IUPAT covers drywall finishing specifically. Most workers progress through hanging or finishing tracks separately.
Is Drywall Installer a growing career?
Yes — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections have Drywall Installer employment set to grow 4.2% between 2024 and 2034. The BLS projects about 7,700 openings per year nationally, most from workers retiring or leaving the trade.
Is Drywall Installer a good career path for someone with a record?
Drywall is among the most second-chance friendly construction trades — most drywall subcontractors hire on physical readiness and production speed. Background checks are uncommon at entry level. UBC, IUPAT, and ABC apprenticeships consider applicants with felony histories case-by-case.