How to Become a Drywall Installer in Oregon (2026)
Oregon employs about 1,680 drywall installers earning a median $73,530 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most drywall installers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Oregon.
Oregon employs approximately 1,680 drywall installers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $73,530 1. The state’s concentration of drywall installer jobs is 1.60x 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 Oregon, 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 (Oregon): $73,530 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Drywall Installer in Oregon
How to become a Drywall Installer in Oregon? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for drywall installers in Oregon.
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 Oregon? The median annual wage for drywall installers in Oregon is $73,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,460 and experienced professionals can earn $114,670 or more 1.
How to Become a Drywall Installer in Oregon
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Oregon’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Apprenticeship and Training Division, Oregon State Bureau of Labor and Industries
- Address: 1800 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97201
- Phone: (971) 245-3844
- Email: [email protected]
Drywall Installer Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), drywall and ceiling tile installers wages in Oregon vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 1,100 | $81,100 | $82,350 | $39,010 | $119,250 |
| Salem | 200 | $62,400 | $66,040 | $36,460 | $112,900 |
| Bend | 100 | $63,970 | $68,950 | $33,680 | $114,670 |
| Medford | 80 | $50,440 | $64,370 | $35,610 | $106,750 |
| Eugene-Springfield | 70 | $59,240 | $61,590 | $35,250 | $100,750 |
| Albany | 40 | $50,540 | $57,920 | $35,790 | $81,590 |
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 Oregon? Oregon 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 Oregon? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Oregon. You can also contact the Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do drywall installers earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for drywall installers in Oregon is $73,530, which is $15,390 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/apprenticeship/pages/apprenticeship-opportunities.aspx ↩︎
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) |