Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers out-earn Construction Laborers by $12K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers land at $58,930 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: drywall and ceiling tile installer programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers is Hawaii ($104,830); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers or Construction Laborers?
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers earn more nationally. The median is $58,930 for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $12K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers or Construction Laborers?
Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to 4.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers or Construction Laborers?
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers at $104,830/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers earn $104,830 vs. $77,110 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.