What apprenticeships are available for drywall installers in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships, 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 Wisconsin (2026)

Q: How much do drywall installers earn in Wisconsin?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), drywall installers in Wisconsin earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,970. Employment concentration in Wisconsin is roughly 0.72 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 Wisconsin?

Wisconsin currently employs approximately 1,140 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

Wisconsin drywall and ceiling tile installers earn a median annual wage of $59,970 ($28.83/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,140 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 1.8% above the national median of $58,930 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $59,970 ($28.83/hr)
25th percentile: $47,940 per year
75th percentile: $69,520 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $85,340 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $38,490 per year
Workers employed in Wisconsin: 1,140
Versus national median: 1.8% above the U.S. median of $58,930
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.72 - this occupation is less concentrated in Wisconsin than the national average

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

Wisconsin employs about 1,140 drywall installers earning a median $59,970 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most drywall installers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin employs approximately 1,140 drywall installers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,970 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 Wisconsin, 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 (Wisconsin): $59,970 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Drywall Installer in Wisconsin

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

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 Wisconsin? The median annual wage for drywall installers in Wisconsin is $59,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,490 and experienced professionals can earn $85,340 or more ¹.

How to Become a Drywall Installer in Wisconsin

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

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

Contact Information:

Office: State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards
Address: 201 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53707
Phone: (608) 733-3930
Email: [email protected]

Drywall Installer Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington	680	$64,080	$68,930	$39,480	$91,520
Milwaukee-Waukesha	340	$60,800	$60,910	$39,500	$79,880
Madison	170	$63,500	$68,030	$46,580	$92,220
Duluth	40	$60,220	$60,980	$35,120	$76,000
Eau Claire	40	$59,220	$57,870	$48,250	$66,080
La Crosse-Onalaska	30	$54,830	$55,290	$38,400	$78,950

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 Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 1,140 drywall installers ¹. Nationally, drywall installer employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do drywall installers earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for drywall installers in Wisconsin is $59,970, which is $1,830 above the national median of $58,140 according to BLS data ¹.

In Wisconsin

Best Trade Schools in Wisconsin (2026)

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/appr_stats/active_wtt.pdf ↩︎

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)