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Drywall finisher vs drywall hanger

The differences between drywall finishers and drywall hangers 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 drywall hanger. Additionally, a drywall finisher has an average salary of $39,376, which is higher than the $38,696 average annual salary of a drywall hanger.

The top three skills for a drywall finisher include hand tools, ladders and scaffolding. The most important skills for a drywall hanger are tape measure, stud, and ladders.

Drywall finisher vs drywall hanger overview

Drywall FinisherDrywall Hanger
Yearly salary$39,376$38,696
Hourly rate$18.93$18.60
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs14,31213,655
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 64%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

What does a drywall finisher do?

As a part of the construction team, the drywall finisher is the last to touch the product and place pieces, paint, and decorations for the final look. Also, they are to put premade walls on surfaces. Drywall finishers cut out the excess, position it properly, and fasten it to the interior for a glossy finish. As it is, drywall finishers must have a great sense of focus to grasp the instructions given to avoid mistakes. They must communicate well with others on the team to finish the project entirely and perfectly.

What does a drywall hanger do?

Drywall hangers are also known as drywall installers. They plan, repair, and install the drywall to cover walls, ceilings, and movable partitions in homes and business spaces. Their duties and responsibilities include scribing lines and breaking boards along the lines, having a considerable amount of knowledge of the industry's standards, and fitting boards into specified positions. They should have good math skills, good problem-solving skills, know how to operate a scissor lift to perform the job well. Aside from this, they should also be confident with their judgment and experience to get the job done.

Drywall finisher vs drywall hanger salary

Drywall finishers and drywall hangers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Drywall FinisherDrywall Hanger
Average salary$39,376$38,696
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $62,000Between $29,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CABurnsville, MN
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaNorth Dakota
Best paying companySwinertonCleveland Construction
Best paying industryProfessionalConstruction

Differences between drywall finisher and drywall hanger education

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

Drywall FinisherDrywall Hanger
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 64%
Most common majorBusinessGeneral Studies
Most common college--

Drywall finisher vs drywall hanger demographics

Here are the differences between drywall finishers' and drywall hangers' demographics:

Drywall FinisherDrywall Hanger
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 90.9% Female, 9.1%Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%
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, 8.2% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 31.6% Asian, 1.3% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between drywall finisher and drywall hanger 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

Drywall hanger example responsibilities.

  • Certify in rough-terrain forklifts and aerial work platforms through OSHA
  • Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting.
  • Create decorative textures in finish coat, using brushes, trowels, or sand.
  • Collaborate with electricians, carpenters and mechanics to complete construction projects.
  • Collaborate with electricians, carpenters and mechanics to complete construction projects.

Drywall finisher vs drywall hanger skills

Common drywall finisher skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Ladders, 12%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Finishers, 8%
  • Texture, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 8%
Common drywall hanger skills
  • Tape Measure, 18%
  • Stud, 16%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 6%

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