How to Become a Drywall Installer in California (2026)
California employs about 27,280 drywall installers earning a median $65,880 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most drywall installers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in California.
California employs approximately 27,280 drywall installers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $65,880 1. The state’s concentration of drywall installer jobs is 2.80x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, drywall installer employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,700 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Drywall Installer in California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (California): $65,880 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Drywall Installer in California
How to become a Drywall Installer in California? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for drywall installers in California.
How long does it take? Most paths into the drywall installer field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do drywall installers earn in California? The median annual wage for drywall installers in California is $65,880 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,050 and experienced professionals can earn $120,240 or more 1.
How to Become a Drywall Installer in California
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most California training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in California that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to drywall installers in California before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Drywall Installer Apprenticeship Information in California
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. California’s apprenticeship program is administered by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Fresno Region
- Phone: (559) 445-5431
- Email: [email protected]
Drywall Installer Wages by Metro Area in California
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), drywall and ceiling tile installers wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 7,710 | $62,800 | $72,050 | $45,870 | $120,390 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 3,640 | $61,420 | $64,460 | $39,110 | $101,630 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 3,220 | $76,290 | $77,030 | $48,410 | $114,110 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 2,510 | $82,160 | $91,080 | $58,010 | $134,880 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 2,500 | $63,540 | $68,980 | $47,010 | $113,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 1,960 | $79,430 | $91,620 | $60,200 | $134,790 |
| Fresno | 800 | $62,280 | $73,070 | $46,340 | $119,140 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 700 | $82,650 | $92,730 | $57,990 | $127,990 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 650 | $63,760 | $71,110 | $46,920 | $106,130 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 450 | $73,520 | $71,990 | $48,740 | $102,720 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 440 | $64,370 | $68,520 | $46,430 | $99,720 |
| Modesto | 400 | $65,770 | $71,310 | $49,920 | $107,020 |
| Visalia | 300 | $46,600 | $53,750 | $38,010 | $73,270 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 180 | $67,060 | $74,100 | $47,280 | $112,960 |
| Salinas | 160 | $73,650 | $71,170 | $48,190 | $91,800 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 120 | $74,740 | $72,930 | $46,850 | $83,630 |
| Redding | 100 | $61,870 | $62,090 | $46,390 | $75,840 |
| El Centro | 90 | $78,020 | $65,950 | $37,750 | $78,800 |
| Merced | 80 | $63,060 | $65,270 | $45,120 | $76,800 |
| Yuba City | 70 | $60,970 | $66,440 | $49,050 | $78,320 |
| Chico | 60 | $61,410 | $66,090 | $44,730 | $97,520 |
| Napa | 50 | $84,410 | $85,960 | $49,880 | $129,830 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for drywall installers in California? California currently employs approximately 27,280 drywall installers 1. Nationally, drywall installer employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in California. You can also contact the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do drywall installers earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for drywall installers in California is $65,880, which is $7,740 above the national median of $58,140 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/das/aigstart.asp ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |