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Drywall taper vs acoustical ceiling mechanic

The differences between drywall tapers 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 taper and an acoustical ceiling mechanic. Additionally, an acoustical ceiling mechanic has an average salary of $49,532, which is higher than the $35,640 average annual salary of a drywall taper.

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

Drywall taper vs acoustical ceiling mechanic overview

Drywall TaperAcoustical Ceiling Mechanic
Yearly salary$35,640$49,532
Hourly rate$17.13$23.81
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs13,47033,392
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 56%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Drywall taper vs acoustical ceiling mechanic salary

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

Drywall TaperAcoustical Ceiling Mechanic
Average salary$35,640$49,532
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $47,000Between $26,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CityOwatonna, MN-
Highest paying stateNorth Dakota-
Best paying companyPepper Construction-
Best paying industryConstruction-

Differences between drywall taper and acoustical ceiling mechanic education

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

Drywall TaperAcoustical Ceiling Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 56%
Most common majorDrafting And DesignBusiness
Most common college--

Drywall taper vs acoustical ceiling mechanic demographics

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

Drywall TaperAcoustical Ceiling Mechanic
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 taper and acoustical ceiling mechanic duties and responsibilities

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.

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.
  • Show more

Drywall taper vs acoustical ceiling mechanic skills

Common drywall taper skills
  • Finishers, 31%
  • Hand Tools, 29%
  • Texture, 10%
  • Plasterboard, 6%
  • Trowels, 6%
  • Coats, 5%
Common acoustical ceiling mechanic skills
  • Scaffolding, 45%
  • Snips, 21%
  • Grid Systems, 19%
  • Stilts, 10%
  • Stud, 7%

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