The drywall technician salary remains one of the most talked-about topics among trade school students, job seekers, and career changers across the U.S. As construction rebounds and skilled trades grow in demand, knowing the drywall installer salary by state helps professionals decide where their work pays off best. This guide explores how pay differs from coast to coast — including hourly rates, union vs. non-union trends, and how experience, certifications, and cost of living shape real earnings.
Today, the drywall work continues to offer strong, stable pay for those skilled with precision and speed. The drywall technician salary across the U.S. averages $58,140 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Tapers come in higher, averaging $64,700 annually. Nationwide, the average drywall salary in each state varies, but most installers earn around $53,000 a year or roughly $26 an hour.
An entry-level drywall technician’s salary typically starts near $18.93 an hour, while experienced installers command $24.27 or more. Depending on union membership, geography, and years on the job, drywallers can see pay spanning $35,000 to over $74,000. For those comparing different trades, a quick trades salary comparison shows drywall careers still rank above many service or entry-level industrial roles in overall take-home pay and long-term growth.
These states offer the best-paying states for drywallers, where high demand, union strength, and construction booms push wages higher.
| State | Average Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Pointers You Should Know |
| Hawaii | $75,310 | $36.21 | Highest pay, high cost of living |
| Minnesota | $64,840 | $31.17 | High demand, skilled labor needed |
| Washington | $64,150 | $30.84 | High demand, union strength |
| California | $61,020 | $29.34 | Highest growth, union jobs available |
| Oregon | $59,920 | $28.81 | Green building growth, union jobs |
| Alaska | $59,730 | $28.72 | High demand, remote work possible |
| North Dakota | $58,791 | $28.26 | Highest demand, energy sector jobs |
| Utah | $53,094 | $25.53 | Construction boom |
| Massachusetts | $56,220 | $27.00 | Urban demand |
| New Jersey | $54,630 | $26.26 | Industrial growth |
| District of Columbia | $52,410 | $25.20 | Federal projects |
| Colorado | $49,100 | $23.61 | High cost of living |
| Connecticut | $48,640 | $23.38 | Urban demand |
| Pennsylvania | $48,510 | $23.32 | Industrial markets |
| Maryland | $48,270 | $23.21 | Urban demand |
These drywall finisher salary tables show how both union coverage and living costs affect paychecks. A drywall installer salary in California, for example, may look high at first glance, but the cost-of-living data evens out actual earnings compared to lower-cost states like Oregon or Utah. Data from Indeed’s 2025 salary reports show that drywall installers in high-cost regions like California and Washington consistently top the pay charts.
| State | Average Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Pointers You Should Know |
| Illinois | $36,121 | $17.37 | Diverse urban centers |
| Indiana | $30,121 | $14.48 | Moderate demand |
| Iowa | $30,212 | $14.52 | Steady rural work |
| Kansas | $29,121 | $13.99 | Small towns |
| Kentucky | $28,126 | $13.52 | Rural demand |
| Louisiana | $28,121 | $13.52 | Storm repair projects |
| Maine | $32,121 | $15.44 | Seasonal |
| Michigan | $31,121 | $14.96 | Industrial |
| Missouri | $28,121 | $13.52 | Varied |
| Montana | $30,121 | $14.48 | Steady |
| Nebraska | $29,121 | $13.99 | Agricultural |
| Nevada | $31,121 | $14.96 | Tourism ties |
| New Hampshire | $32,121 | $15.44 | Seasonal |
| New Mexico | $28,121 | $13.52 | Rural |
| New York | $37,402 | $17.98 | Urban centers |
| North Carolina | $33,121 | $15.92 | Expanding |
| Ohio | $30,121 | $14.48 | Industrial |
| Oklahoma | $27,121 | $13.04 | Rural |
| Pennsylvania | $31,121 | $14.96 | Industrial |
| Rhode Island | $37,121 | $17.83 | Urban |
| South Carolina | $28,121 | $13.52 | Growing sector |
| South Dakota | $29,121 | $13.99 | Steady |
| Tennessee | $28,121 | $13.52 | Varied |
| Vermont | $31,121 | $14.96 | Rural focus |
| Virginia | $33,121 | $15.92 | Urban-rural mix |
| Wisconsin | $31,121 | $14.96 | Industrial |
| Wyoming | $30,121 | $14.48 | Rural demand |
| State | Average Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Pointers You Should Know |
| Alabama | $24,564 | $11.81 | Rural markets |
| Arkansas | $36,770 | $17.67 | Moderate |
| Mississippi | $35,000 | $16.83 | Rural |
| West Virginia | $36,750 | $17.67 | Rural |
| Texas | $27,662 | $13.30 | Entry-level friendly |
| Florida | $28,798 | $13.85 | High turnover |
| Georgia | $27,662 | $13.30 | Expanding |
| Arizona | $31,129 | $15.00 | Strong construction |
| Delaware | $31,929 | $15.35 | Suburban demand |
Enroll yourself in a quality drywall tech training program to become a part of the high paying states and easily make a $100k annually.
Experience drives pay across the trades. The experience-based pay scales for drywall installers show clear growth potential. An entry-level drywall technician’s salary begins around $17 per hour, rising to $23 for mid-level and up to $28 for senior-level specialists.
Unionized professionals stand out even more. In major metros like Los Angeles or New York, union drywall wages by state can reach $39.25 an hour or higher. Independent drywall finishers earn about $24 per hour, depending on contracts and project size. Over time, credentials and certifications boost wages by 10–20%, especially in cities with consistent building demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, drywall installers and finishers earn a median annual wage that continues to rise with construction growth across the U.S.
Union drywallers earn significantly more — sometimes 70% higher than non-union peers. Union pay rates average around $39 per hour in many states, supported by overtime, benefits, and job security. Non-union workers set their own rates through experience and demand but often face less predictable schedules. Those researching union drywall wages by state often find membership worthwhile for career stability and stronger long-term earnings.
Hourly pay remains a key metric for most tradespeople. The drywall tech salary per hour averages around $22.74 across the U.S. Entry-level drywall tech salary per hour starts at about $19, while top earners exceed $28 hourly.
| Experience Level | Drywall tech salary per hour |
| Entry-level | $19 |
| Mid-level | $23 |
| Senior-level | $28 |
| Top earners | $30+ |
States like Hawaii, Minnesota, and Washington continue to rank among the best paying states for drywallers, offering $28–$30 per hour for skilled finishers. Specialized roles, such as acoustical ceiling or foreman work, can go higher. The drywall installer salary in California, for instance, remains one of the strongest due to both union coverage and constant project flow.
Monthly income offers a clearer view for budgeting. On average, drywall tech salary per month averages about $3,942 per month. Entry-level professionals make roughly $3,300, while senior finishers often bring home $4,500 or more.
| Experience Level | Drywall tech salary per month |
| Entry-level | $3,333 |
| Mid-level | $3,942 |
| Senior-level | $4,500 |
| Top earners | $5,000+ |
High-cost regions like California or Washington typically show higher monthly averages. Always weigh pay against cost-of-living data, since net income can vary widely even between states with similar hourly wages.
Cities like Sunnyvale, CA; Bellevue, WA; and Cary, NC top the charts in the drywall finisher salary tables, showing annual pay between $44,000 and $55,000. But when you account for rent and expenses, take-home differences narrow. This is where drywall salary benchmarks and cost-of-living data matter most — the highest wages don’t always equal the best quality of life.
States like Texas or Florida, while lower paying, attract many workers due to climate, job availability, and cheaper living. For anyone comparing trades, a trades salary comparison again shows drywall as a steady and upward-moving field.
For anyone planning ahead, the drywall job salary calculator helps estimate pay by state and experience level:
Hourly Rate × 40 Hours × 52 Weeks = Annual Salary
Example: A drywall installer salary in California averaging $29.34/hour equals roughly $61,020 per year. Add overtime or union bonuses, and that figure rises by 10–20%. Using this formula, drywallers can assess potential earnings before relocating or negotiating new contracts.
Overall, the drywall technician salary remains competitive and full of opportunity. With clear experience-based pay scales, the right certifications for drywall technicians, and awareness of drywall salary benchmarks, skilled workers can position themselves for strong, stable careers. Whether you’re comparing trades, exploring new markets, or running your own contracting business, understanding the drywall installer salary by state gives you the power to plan smarter and earn better in the year ahead.
Enroll in PTTI today, to learn skills that pay more than $100k a year.
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