What apprenticeships are available for drywall installers in Iowa?

In Iowa, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Drywall Installer in Iowa (2026)

Q: How much do drywall installers earn in Iowa?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), drywall installers in Iowa earned a median annual wage of approximately $51,030. Employment concentration in Iowa is roughly 0.35 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for drywall installers in Iowa?

Iowa currently employs approximately 290 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Iowa drywall and ceiling tile installers earn a median annual wage of $51,030 ($24.53/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 290 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -13.4% below the national median of $58,930 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $51,030 ($24.53/hr)
25th percentile: $44,800 per year
75th percentile: $61,770 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $67,650 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $36,750 per year
Workers employed in Iowa: 290
Versus national median: -13.4% below the U.S. median of $58,930
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.35 - this occupation is less concentrated in Iowa than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Iowa employs about 290 drywall installers earning a median $51,030 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most drywall installers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Iowa.

Iowa employs approximately 290 drywall installers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,030 ¹. 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 Iowa, 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 (Iowa): $51,030 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Drywall Installer in Iowa

How to become a Drywall Installer in Iowa? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for drywall installers in Iowa.

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 Iowa? The median annual wage for drywall installers in Iowa is $51,030 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,750 and experienced professionals can earn $67,650 or more ¹.

How to Become a Drywall Installer in Iowa

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Iowa’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship ³.

Contact Information:

Office: Iowa Workforce Development
Address: 1000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 725-3675
Email: [email protected]

Drywall Installer Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), drywall and ceiling tile installers wages in Iowa vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Omaha	440	$56,430	$54,110	$38,200	$67,240
Des Moines-West Des Moines	80	$49,670	$51,920	$35,460	$63,160
Sioux City	70	$48,850	$51,160	$39,400	$60,240
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	40	$57,350	$58,690	$36,750	$100,410

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 Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 290 drywall installers ¹. Nationally, drywall installer employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Iowa. You can also contact the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do drywall installers earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for drywall installers in Iowa is $51,030, which is $7,110 below the national median of $58,140 according to BLS data ¹.

In Iowa

Best Trade Schools in Iowa (2026)

Explore More Trades in Iowa

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/registered-apprenticeship ↩︎

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)