Drywall · SOC 47-2081

Drywall Installation cost

Drywall patches look small until texture match and paint blend enter the scope. For Drywall Installation we use mid hours of 0.05 and materials around $1, then apply the same 2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5× labor markup schedule as every other Fairange job.

Drywall install — that’s the everyday name. On Fairange it’s a published hours band (0.03/0.05/0.1) plus a materials band, run through BLS OEWS May 2025 wages for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (SOC 47-2081).

Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09

What this estimate can’t tell you. Roof pitch, an old house or code upgrades, tough access, permits, emergency or after-hours calls, and brand tier can push a real quote outside this range.
Hours (low / mid / high)
0.03 / 0.05 / 0.1
Materials band
$1 – $1
U.S. mid (before ZIP)
$2,145

per sq ft hung, taped, and finished to paint-ready (Level 4); excludes framing and paint. National OEWS mean wage used on this page: $30.58/hr (SOC 47-2081).

How the national mid is built

Before you enter a ZIP we use the U.S. OEWS mean wage for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (SOC 47-2081): $30.58/hr (BLS OEWS May 2025). Mid estimate ≈ 0.05 hours × $30.58 × 2.25× markup + materials mid $1 (with a small regional materials factor). Low uses p10 wages × 2.0×; high uses p90 × 2.5×. National planning band: $830 – $2,145 – $6,830. The calculator default size is 500 sq ft — change it when your roof or slab differs.

Full algebra: methodology. Markup schedule is Fairange’s published assumption, not a BLS figure.

Materials band

Published materials low / mid / high: $1 / $1 / $1 (per sq ft hung, taped, and finished to paint-ready (Level 4); excludes framing and paint). Baselines are Fairange editorial figures tied to public retail when we have a SKU basket; full source notes live in DATA_SOURCES and the methodology page. We dampen materials with a regional factor (about 0.88–1.18) so wages — not a fake local parts market — do most of the geography.

What usually moves the number

What’s in the planning band

Labor in the published hours band plus the materials band above.

Ask about before you sign

Run this job on your ZIP Drywall trade hub

Also: calculator · methodology · city guides · all job guides · DATA_SOURCES.

Drywall Installation FAQ

How much does drywall installation cost?

National mid planning estimate is about $2,145 before you enter a ZIP — labor from BLS OEWS May 2025 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (SOC 47-2081, national mean $30.58/hr) × published hours, plus materials. Local OEWS wages move the band once you type a ZIP.

What hours, materials, and markup do you assume?

Hours 0.03 / 0.05 / 0.1. Materials band $1 / $1 / $1 (per sq ft hung, taped, and finished to paint-ready (Level 4); excludes framing and paint), documented in DATA_SOURCES / methodology — not lead-gen marketplace price tables. Labor markup 2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5× (Fairange methodology).

Is this a bid?

No. It’s an educational planning range. Collect at least three written scopes from licensed pros and compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, patching, and code upgrades.

Any rebates or tax credits?

Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project.

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