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Drywall Installers and Tapers

THE JOB

DRYWALL INSTALLERS AND TAPERS are construction workers who install and tape 
drywall panels to the framework inside houses and other buildings.  After 
the drywall panels are placed, the Tapers prepare the panels with tape by 
applying the tape to surfaces of walls and ceilings for painting.

Drywall Installers and Tapers work with drywall, a construction building 
material which is often used in place of plaster for indoor walls and 
ceilings.  Drywall is a thin section of plaster, sandwiched between two 
pieces of heavy paper, and is available in panels of standard sizes.

Drywall Installers who belong to a union do either installation or 
finishing, but those workers who do not belong to a union usually work and 
have experience in all the phases of drywall work.

A Drywall Installer must be able to measure and cut pieces of the drywall to 
fit spaces of the walls and ceilings like above and under windows.  Holes 
have to sawed in drywall panels for fitting vents, plumbing fixtures, and 
electrical outlets.  After making these adjustments, Installers nail panels 
to studs or beams, or screw panels into metal studs.  Installers usually 
work with a partner to lift and install large drywall panels for ceilings.

Installers usually hang drywall panels on metal framework in offices, 
schools, and other large buildings.  Installers check plans for the location 
of rooms and hallways, then they cut and screw together metal channels to 
make floor and ceiling frames.  The installers then screw the drywall panels 
to the framework.

After the drywall is installed, Tapers join the panels together using 
automatic tools to apply joint compound between the panels.  Tapers apply 
the joint compound along each side of the joint, and apply paper tape the 
length of the joint.  When the joint compound is dry, they may apply more 
coats to fill in any holes and make the surface smooth.

Tapers also sand or patch nicks or cracks caused by putting in plumbing or 
light fixtures.  They may also apply a textured surface on walls and 
ceilings, sometimes by hand, but usually with a spray machine.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Drywall Installers and Tapers work in buildings that are under construction, 
so they are subject to dust, dirt, loud noises, and bad weather.  They may 
work on ladders and platforms and may lift big, heavy sections of drywall.

Workers need to buy the small tools needed for the job, such as a measuring 
tape, taping knife, and a drywall hammer.  The employer usually buys the 
more expensive tools needed to do the work.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The California Projections of Employment, published by the Labor Market 
Information Division of the Employment Development Department, estimates 
that the number of Drywall Installers and Tapers in California will reach 
22,950 by 2005, an increase in new jobs of 10,880 over the number there was 
in 1993.

There will also be an estimated 5,380 job openings due to people retiring or 
leaving the occupation.  Added to the 10,880 new jobs expected, this makes 
for an estimated total of 16,260 job opportunities through 2005.

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

Like most construction work, drywall work goes up during good weather and 
goes down during bad (cold and wet) weather.  Installers may also be 
unemployed between construction projects and when construction activity 
goes down.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Pay for Drywall Installers and Tapers depends on the area where the work 
is done and the type of construction.  Pay for workers just starting out is 
from minimum wage to $20.00 an hour, while more experienced workers get paid 
$11.00 to $28.00 an hour.  Many workers who don't belong to a union get no 
additional benefits.  Apprentices may start at 40% of pay for experienced 
workers.  The usual time for apprentices to reach the experienced level pay 
is three to four years.

Drywall Installers and Tapers are sometimes paid on a piece work basis, 
depending on how high they need to climb to do the job and how difficult the 
job is.

If benefits are available, they generally include vacations and holiday pay, 
health insurance and a retirement pension.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

Apprenticeship training is available for Drywall Installers and Tapers.  The 
training takes between three and four years to complete.  The training 
requires that classes be taken and actual on-the-job training be included as 
part of the program.  Applicants for the apprenticeship training must be at 
least 17 years old and be physically strong and active.  It is helpful if 
courses in math, wood shop, blueprint reading, and mechanical drawing were 
taken.

To apply for the training, applicants should contact their local Joint 
Apprenticeship Committee or the local carpenters union for Installers and 
the painters union for Tapers.  In areas where there is no union 
apprenticeship program, many Drywall Installers and Tapers get the 
experience and skills by working as helpers to experienced workers.


ADVANCEMENT

Skilled Drywall Installers and Tapers may become supervisors, or they may 
start their own business.  In order to be a business owner, a license is 
required.  The license, from the State Contractor's Board, requires four 
years of journey-level experience and the knowledge to pass the written 
trade and business test.  A large number of Drywall workers are self-
employed, especially in small towns and rural areas.


FINDING THE JOB

Journey-level Drywall Installers and Tapers can apply directly to 
contractors or the appropriate union in their area.  They can also search 
the newspaper classified ads.  They may also contact the California 
Employment Development Department Job Service.  Applicants for helper 
positions should contact the union or call drywall contractors in the local 
area to learn the trade.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

For apprenticeship information, contact the local carpenters or painters' 
union or:

California Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Apprenticeship
425 Golden Gate Avenue Standards
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 703-4920
http://www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/das.html

RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Painters and Paperhangers           No. 148
Carpenters                          No. 169
Plasterers and Stucco Masons        No. 249

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Drywall Applicator (const.)     842.684-014

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Drywall Installers                   871080
Tapers                               871110


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.