Drywall Installer and Taper
A drywall installer and taper is a professional in the architecture and construction industry responsible for applying and finishing drywall in residential and commercial buildings. These workers utilize various tools to cut, fit, and secure wallboards, ensuring that they are properly installed and ready for painting. The role requires physical stamina, as installers and tapers spend much of their day on their feet, often working on ladders or scaffolding in dusty environments. Collaboration with clients and other construction professionals is essential, highlighting the need for good communication and problem-solving skills.
While there are no formal education requirements, most employers prefer candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent, and vocational training can be advantageous. On-the-job training is typically provided, allowing workers to develop necessary skills efficiently. The median earnings for drywall installers and tapers are approximately $51,160 per year, and job growth in this field is projected to be stable, with little change anticipated in employment levels. This career attracts those who enjoy hands-on work and can adapt to various tasks in a dynamic job environment.
Drywall Installer and Taper
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Architecture & Construction
Interests: Solving problems, working with your hands, communicating with others
Earnings (Yearly Median): $51,160 per year $24.60 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 1% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education No formal educational credential
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. A drywall installer applies drywall wallboards to the interior of buildings. Drywall installers, also known as drywallers, work with various wallboard materials. They use different tools to cut, fit, and fasten wallboards. A taper readies the wallboards for painting with tape and other materials. Drywall installers and tapers are considered part of the building architecture and construction industries.
Work Environment. Drywall installers and tapers work indoors in various commercial and residential buildings. They spend most of the day on their feet, bending, climbing, or stretching. Workers use many tools to get the job done, typically simple hand tools such as utility knives and hammers. They also work with scaffoldings and ladders and often have to handle large, heavy wallboards.
Working with drywall and other materials can make the workplace dusty. Because of these conditions, drywall installers and tapers should wear protective gear such as goggles and face masks.
Occupation Interest. Since drywall installers and tapers work in different types of buildings, all jobs are different. Those interested in the profession should be able to adapt to various tasks and should have good problem-solving skills. Drywall installers and tapers should enjoy building things with their hands. They should also be capable of working as part of a team and by themselves.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. When drywall installers and tapers are hired, they must first review the design plans, either at the job site or by examining blueprints. They must consider the location of windows, electrical outlets, and other obstructions. Measuring as precisely as possible will reduce the amount of drywall and time wasted.
Once the measurements are done, a drywall installer will cut the appropriate amount of wallboard using utility knives or power saws, depending on the job. Using nails, screws, or sealing compounds, they fasten the drywall. The drywall edges are then evenly smoothed and trimmed, and a taper patches up all nail holes. Depending on the job size, a worker may complete it alone or with a team. Drywall installers and tapers use trowels to spread and smooth spackling paste over nail holes, cracks, or other flaws. If there is any existing drywall at the site where the worker must install new wallboards, it is removed using crowbars or hammers.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Drywall installers and tapers commonly work indoors at commercial and residential sites. They work at buildings that are under construction or undergoing renovations. Sometimes, a person must work atop a ladder or on scaffolding. Working with drywall creates a dusty and dirty environment.
Human Environment. A lot of collaboration with clients and other workers in the construction trade is required of drywall installers and tapers. Therefore, a drywaller and taper should be outgoing and possess excellent interpersonal communication skills. Less experienced workers will have to check in with their supervisors frequently.
Technological Environment. Drywall installers and tapers work with various tools, including utility knives, power saws, hammers, and screwdrivers. They also work with different sealing compounds, the most common being plaster. For some jobs, a ladder or scaffolding is required. Safety equipment workers wear goggles, masks, and sometimes hard hats.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. Most employers require a high school diploma or GED certificate for drywall installers and tapers. Some standard high school courses may benefit a potential drywall installer and taper, including wood shop, mathematics, and mechanical drawing.
Postsecondary. While most employers do not require a drywall installer and taper to have a college education, many workers can benefit from courses offered at trade and vocational schools. Many community colleges also offer courses that potential drywall installers and tapers will find helpful in the industry. Courses in construction and carpentry will train a worker in the basics of the job, such as tools, safety, and blueprint reading. Most schools offer hands-on training, which is useful when applying for jobs. Employers are more likely to hire someone who has completed a formal course in the industry.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
“Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/drywall-and-ceiling-tile-installers-and-tapers.htm. Accessed 25 Aug. 2024.