Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Human Advantage 61%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fireproofing, or acoustical material.
Also Known As: Acoustical Carpenter, Acoustical Ceiling Installer, Acoustical Consultant, Acoustical Installer, Acoustical Specialist, Ceiling Installer, Dry Wall Installer, Drywall Application Specialist +41 more
Core Tasks
- Read blueprints or other specifications to determine methods of installation, work procedures, or material or tool requirements.
- Measure and mark surfaces to lay out work, according to blueprints or drawings, using tape measures, straightedges or squares, and marking devices.
- Fit and fasten wallboard or drywall into position on wood or metal frameworks, using glue, nails, or screws.
- Measure and cut openings in panels or tiles for electrical outlets, windows, vents, plumbing, or other fixtures, using keyhole saws or other cutting tools.
- Assemble or install metal framing or decorative trim for windows, doorways, or vents.
- Cut metal or wood framing and trim to size, using cutting tools.
- Inspect furrings, mechanical mountings, or masonry surfaces for plumbness and level, using spirit or water levels.
- Cut fixture or border tiles to size, using keyhole saws, and insert them into surrounding frameworks.
- Cut and screw together metal channels to make floor or ceiling frames, according to plans for the location of rooms or hallways.
- Hang drywall panels on metal frameworks of walls and ceilings in offices, schools, or other large buildings, using lifts or hoists to adjust panel heights, when necessary.
- Trim rough edges from wallboard to maintain even joints, using knives.
- Suspend angle iron grids or channel irons from ceilings, using wire.
- Coordinate work with drywall finishers who cover the seams between drywall panels.
- Install horizontal and vertical metal or wooden studs to frames so that wallboard can be attached to interior walls.
- Scribe and cut edges of tile to fit walls where wall molding is not specified.
- Hang dry lines to wall moldings to guide positioning of main runners.
- Fasten metal or rockboard lath to the structural framework of walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using nails, screws, staples, or wire-ties.
- Install blanket insulation between studs and tack plastic moisture barriers over insulation.
- Seal joints between ceiling tiles and walls.
- Remove existing plaster, drywall, or paneling, using crowbars and hammers.
- Apply or mount acoustical tile or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings or walls of buildings to reduce reflection of sound or to decorate rooms.
- Mount tile, using adhesives, or by nailing, screwing, stapling, or wire-tying lath directly to structural frameworks.
Supplemental Tasks (4)
- Nail channels or wood furring strips to surfaces to provide mounting for tile.
- Install metal lath where plaster applications will be exposed to weather or water, or for curved or irregular surfaces.
- Apply cement to backs of tiles and press tiles into place, aligning them with layout marks or joints of previously laid tile.
- Wash concrete surfaces before mounting tile to increase adhesive qualities of surfaces, using washing soda and zinc sulfate solution.
Education & Training
Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (11)
Tools & Equipment (66)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Skilled Trades Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 2
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers You are here
Zone 3
Electricians 78% match
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