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Drywall mechanic vs drywall taper

The differences between drywall mechanics and drywall tapers 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 mechanic and a drywall taper. Additionally, a drywall mechanic has an average salary of $39,271, which is higher than the $35,640 average annual salary of a drywall taper.

The top three skills for a drywall mechanic include ladders, stud and OSHA. The most important skills for a drywall taper are finishers, hand tools, and texture.

Drywall mechanic vs drywall taper overview

Drywall MechanicDrywall Taper
Yearly salary$39,271$35,640
Hourly rate$18.88$17.13
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs33,47313,470
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 37%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Drywall mechanic vs drywall taper salary

Drywall mechanics and drywall tapers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Drywall MechanicDrywall Taper
Average salary$39,271$35,640
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $51,000Between $26,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City-Owatonna, MN
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-Pepper Construction
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between drywall mechanic and drywall taper education

There are a few differences between a drywall mechanic and a drywall taper in terms of educational background:

Drywall MechanicDrywall Taper
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 37%
Most common majorBusinessDrafting And Design
Most common college--

Drywall mechanic vs drywall taper demographics

Here are the differences between drywall mechanics' and drywall tapers' demographics:

Drywall MechanicDrywall Taper
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 95.7% Female, 4.3%Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 33.6% Asian, 1.1% White, 50.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 34.0% Asian, 1.1% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between drywall mechanic and drywall taper duties and responsibilities

Drywall mechanic example responsibilities.

  • Ensure high quality work in metal stud framing, drywall, and acoustical ceilings installations.
  • Rinse, drain, or wipe coat work pieces to remove excess coating material or to facilitate setting of finish coats.
  • Collaborate with electricians, carpenters and mechanics to complete construction projects.
  • Follow strict safety guidelines including wearing personal protective equipment.

Drywall taper example responsibilities.

  • Frame, drywall, tape, texture, and paint interiors of residential and commercial buildings.
  • Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels
  • Collaborate with electricians, carpenters and mechanics to complete construction projects.
  • Collaborate with electricians, carpenters and mechanics to complete construction projects.

Drywall mechanic vs drywall taper skills

Common drywall mechanic skills
  • Ladders, 25%
  • Stud, 20%
  • OSHA, 16%
  • Acoustical Ceilings, 7%
  • Caulking, 5%
  • Tape Measure, 5%
Common drywall taper skills
  • Finishers, 31%
  • Hand Tools, 29%
  • Texture, 10%
  • Plasterboard, 6%
  • Trowels, 6%
  • Coats, 5%

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