by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Drywall Installation/Drywaller explores Drywall Installation/drywaller. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Install, Tape, And Plaster Drywall Installations In Interior And Exterior Construction Jobs. Includes Instruction In Drywall Handling And Transport, Cutting And Mounting, Taping And Spackling, Finishing, Job Analysis And Estimation, Site Safety, Tool Operation And Maintenance, Blueprint And Specification Interpretation, And Applicable Codes And Standards. Examples: [Drywall, Acousting And Lathing Applicator], [Drywall And Acoustical Mechanic], [Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic)], [Interior Systems Installer], [Wall And Ceiling Installer]. Read on to learn the important information every drywall installation/drywaller student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering drywall installation/drywaller programs.
In the U.S., drywall installation/drywaller is a widely-pursued major, with 254 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Drywall Installation/Drywaller Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for drywall installation/drywaller students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of drywall installation/drywaller programs later in this article.
Programs in Drywall Installation/Drywaller develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations drywall installation/drywaller graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a drywall installation/drywaller program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a drywall installation/drywaller major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several drywall installation/drywaller degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 136 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 112 |
People currently working in careers related to drywall installation/drywaller tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 31.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 26.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 17.6% |
| Some college courses | 9.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in drywall installation/drywaller careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in drywall installation/drywaller can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to drywall installation/drywaller.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to drywall installation/drywaller.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 646,091 | 3.6% |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | 484,877 | 9.2% |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | 394,157 | 2.0% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of drywall installation/drywaller graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,822 |
| 4 years | $32,489 |
| 5 years | $37,102 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for drywall installation/drywaller graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers drywall installation/drywaller grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $83,555 |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | $57,985 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $30,496 |
With 5 different drywall installation/drywaller programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased drywall installation/drywaller school rankings to help you.
Students interested in drywall installation/drywaller, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
