How to Become a Drywall Installer in Ohio (2026)

Ohio employs about 1,680 drywall installers earning a median $61,420 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most drywall installers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Ohio.

Ohio employs approximately 1,680 drywall installers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,420 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 Ohio, 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 (Ohio): $61,420 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Drywall Installer in Ohio

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

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 Ohio? The median annual wage for drywall installers in Ohio is $61,420 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,410 and experienced professionals can earn $74,400 or more 1.

How to Become a Drywall Installer in Ohio

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Ohio training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Ohio that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to drywall installers in Ohio 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 Ohio

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

Contact Information:

  • Office: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - ApprenticeOhio
  • Phone: (614) 466-6282
  • Email: [email protected]

Drywall Installer Wages by Metro Area in Ohio

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Wages by Metro Area in Ohio

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Columbus570$65,450$63,180$48,140$74,400
Cincinnati290$55,470$57,020$39,210$73,300
Cleveland230$63,150$63,220$43,450$76,430
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek200$61,420$59,820$42,330$70,940
Toledo150$62,920$61,640$47,200$73,400
Huntington-Ashland60$64,700$62,850$47,530$83,660
Youngstown-Warren40$59,890$61,180$39,200$111,170
Akron30$66,450$60,050$42,410$74,940

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 Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 1,680 drywall installers 1. Nationally, drywall installer employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

How much do drywall installers earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for drywall installers in Ohio is $61,420, which is $3,280 above the national median of $58,140 according to BLS data 1.

In Ohio

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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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Ohio Office of Apprenticeship: http://jfs.ohio.gov/apprenticeship/Apprenticeship-Opportunities.stm ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)