National
| Median wages (2008) |
$18.12 hourly, $37,700 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
186,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
39,000 additional employees |
47-2081.00 - Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fire-proofing, or acoustical material.
Sample of reported job titles:
Drywall Finisher, Drywall Hanger, Drywall Mechanic, Ceiling Installer, Dry Wall Installer, Exterior Interior Specialist, Metal Framer, Metal Stud Framer, Sheetrock Hanger, Sheetrock Installer
Tasks
- Measure and mark surfaces to lay out work according to blueprints and drawings, using tape measures, straightedges or squares, and marking devices.
- Read blueprints and other specifications to determine methods of installation, work procedures, and material and tool requirements.
- Fit and fasten wallboard or drywall into position on wood or metal frameworks, using glue, nails, or screws.
- Hang dry lines (stretched string) to wall moldings in order to guide positioning of main runners.
- Measure and cut openings in panels or tiles for electrical outlets, windows, vents, and plumbing and other fixtures, using keyhole saws or other cutting tools.
- Hang drywall panels on metal frameworks of walls and ceilings in offices, schools, and other large buildings, using lifts or hoists to adjust panel heights when necessary.
- Assemble and install metal framing and decorative trim for windows, doorways, and vents.
- Coordinate work with drywall finishers who cover the seams between drywall panels.
- Trim rough edges from wallboard to maintain even joints, using knives.
- Cut and screw together metal channels to make floor and ceiling frames, according to plans for the location of rooms and hallways.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Lifts — Drywall lifts; Mini lifters; Roll lifters |
| Putty knives — Corner knives; Joint knives; Taping knives; Wipe-down knives |
| Saws — Drywall saws; Hacksaws; Keyhole saws; Wallboard saws |
| Trowels — Bullnose trowels; Drywall trowels; Inside corner trowels; Outside corner trowels |
| Utility knives — Edge cutters; Trimming knives |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Job costing software; Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal Architect |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Optical character reader OCR or scanning software — Logic Group Scanner Digitizing Software |
| Project management software — Construction Software Center EasyEst; DevWave Estimate Works; On Center Quick Bid |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word; Wilhelm Publishing Threshold |
