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Drywall finisher vs acoustical ceiling mechanic

The differences between drywall finishers and acoustical ceiling mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a drywall finisher and an acoustical ceiling mechanic. Additionally, an acoustical ceiling mechanic has an average salary of $49,532, which is higher than the $39,376 average annual salary of a drywall finisher.

The top three skills for a drywall finisher include hand tools, ladders and scaffolding. The most important skills for an acoustical ceiling mechanic are scaffolding, snips, and grid systems.

Drywall finisher vs acoustical ceiling mechanic overview

Drywall FinisherAcoustical Ceiling Mechanic
Yearly salary$39,376$49,532
Hourly rate$18.93$23.81
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs14,31233,392
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 56%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Drywall finisher vs acoustical ceiling mechanic salary

Drywall finishers and acoustical ceiling mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Drywall FinisherAcoustical Ceiling Mechanic
Average salary$39,376$49,532
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $62,000Between $26,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CA-
Highest paying stateNorth Dakota-
Best paying companySwinerton-
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between drywall finisher and acoustical ceiling mechanic education

There are a few differences between a drywall finisher and an acoustical ceiling mechanic in terms of educational background:

Drywall FinisherAcoustical Ceiling Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Drywall finisher vs acoustical ceiling mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between drywall finishers' and acoustical ceiling mechanics' demographics:

Drywall FinisherAcoustical Ceiling Mechanic
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 90.9% Female, 9.1%Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 30.0% Asian, 1.1% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 29.6% Asian, 1.1% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between drywall finisher and acoustical ceiling mechanic duties and responsibilities

Drywall finisher example responsibilities.

  • Practice safe PPE around compound dust.
  • Enforce safety requirements, PPE, regulation laws.
  • Replace and finish all work around remove urinals, sinks or tubs.
  • Discard hazardous materials according to OSHA, MOSH, fire and building codes.
  • Lead and provide work direction for team of drywall finishers on commercial job sites.
  • Follow by measuring from stud to stud and putting the measurements on the drywall.
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Acoustical ceiling mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Install commercial acoustic ceilings at various heights with the use of stilts and scaffolding.
  • Install acoustical ceilings by walking on stilts.
  • Work standing on ladders, or scaffolds.
  • Install acoustical ceilings using lasers and scaffolding or scissor lifts.
  • Assist drywallers and finishers and learn all facets of job.
  • Perform duties as a foreman for metal stud and wallboard installation.
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Drywall finisher vs acoustical ceiling mechanic skills

Common drywall finisher skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Ladders, 12%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Finishers, 8%
  • Texture, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 8%
Common acoustical ceiling mechanic skills
  • Scaffolding, 45%
  • Snips, 21%
  • Grid Systems, 19%
  • Stilts, 10%
  • Stud, 7%

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