BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in California

$74,680 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$35.9 per hour

▲ 17.4% above U.S. average5th of 49 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$74,680per year
Median$65,880per year
Hourly$35.9per hour
10th – 90th percentile$46,050 – $120,240per year

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Pay Range in California

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,050
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$55,810
  • 50th Percentile — Median$65,880
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$85,180
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$120,240

Half of Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in California earn more than $65,880. The top 10% make $120,240 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,050.

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in California: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • California ranks 5th of 49 states for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers pay, at $74,680 per year (17.4% above the U.S. average of $63,600).
  • 27,280 people work as Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in California — 32.8% of all U.S. Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers jobs.
  • Location quotient 2.80: Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,050; the top 10% earn over $120,240.
  • Hourly equivalent: $35.9 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $96,460.
  • Among construction jobs in California, Construction and Building Inspectors pays the most ($103,850).

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Job Market in California

Key factors affecting compensation

California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers here earn $74,680 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $74,680 is roughly equivalent to $52,592 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($96,460), New Jersey ($81,280), Washington ($80,450) are the closest alternatives for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers salary in California?

The average Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers salary in California is $74,680 per year (median $65,880), which is 17.4% above the national average of $63,600.

How does California rank for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers pay?

California ranks 5th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($96,460/yr).

How much do entry-level Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers make in California?

The lowest-paid 10% of Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in California earn about $46,050 per year and the 25th percentile is $55,810.

How much do Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers make per hour in California?

About $35.9 per hour, based on the $74,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers work in California?

BLS counts 27,280 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).

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