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Drywall finisher vs ceiling installer

The differences between drywall finishers and ceiling installers 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 a ceiling installer. Additionally, a drywall finisher has an average salary of $39,376, which is higher than the $38,572 average annual salary of a ceiling installer.

The top three skills for a drywall finisher include hand tools, ladders and scaffolding. The most important skills for a ceiling installer are hand tools, ladders, and commercial buildings.

Drywall finisher vs ceiling installer overview

Drywall FinisherCeiling Installer
Yearly salary$39,376$38,572
Hourly rate$18.93$18.54
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs14,31215,067
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 45%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Drywall finisher vs ceiling installer salary

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

Drywall FinisherCeiling Installer
Average salary$39,376$38,572
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $62,000Between $24,000 And $60,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CA-
Highest paying stateNorth Dakota-
Best paying companySwinerton-
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between drywall finisher and ceiling installer education

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

Drywall FinisherCeiling Installer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 45%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Drywall finisher vs ceiling installer demographics

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

Drywall FinisherCeiling Installer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 90.9% Female, 9.1%Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9%
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, 7.2% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 32.1% Asian, 1.1% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between drywall finisher and ceiling installer 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.
  • Show more

Ceiling installer example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshot breakdowns and repair malfunctioning HVAC systems and components; utilize measuring and testing instruments.
  • Apply Masonite, formica, or vinyl surfacing materials.

Drywall finisher vs ceiling installer skills

Common drywall finisher skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Ladders, 12%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Finishers, 8%
  • Texture, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 8%
Common ceiling installer skills
  • Hand Tools, 52%
  • Ladders, 40%
  • Commercial Buildings, 3%
  • Drop Ceilings, 3%
  • Safety Procedures, 1%

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