FairangeDrywall · IA
Drywall costs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has its own Drywall labor market; here is what the BLS numbers say before you chase bids. Mean hourly pay here sits about 18% below the national OEWS mean.
On the national Drywall wage ladder (209 areas), Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA sits at #122 with a $24.96 mean. Inside IA, that is rank 2 of 3 published areas. Hourly wages stretch from $17.05 (10th percentile) to $30.37 (90th). That $13.32 gap is why two bids on the same scope can still look honest.
Local employment for this SOC is roughly 80 workers (OEWS May 2025). Nationwide that occupation is about 83,080. How a few common projects pencil out against the national mid: Drywall Patch (small hole) mid estimate $116 here vs $138 U.S. (16% below); Drywall Installation mid estimate $1,817 here vs $2,145 U.S. (15% below).
Same-state comparison: Sioux City ($24.60, 0.36 lower); Davenport-Moline-Rock Island ($28.22, 3.26 higher); Ames.
Sample project ranges
| Project | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drywall Patch (small hole) | $42 | $116 | $272 |
| Drywall Installation (default size) | $779 | $1,817 | $4,477 |
Rebates (verify; don’t trust a random Facebook ad)
Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project. Start with IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE.
Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.
What usually moves the number
- Scope surprises: duct repairs, panel upgrades, extra roof layers.
- How booked local crews are this season.
- Materials choices — we only nudge materials with a dampened regional factor. See methodology.
Getting quotes without the circus
- Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
- Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
- Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Drywall (47-2081) | $24.96/hr mean |
Source: official BLS OEWS data for this area · area index: oessrcma.htm.
Contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) and the regional materials factor are ours — see methodology.
Paid listing for Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Drywall. Partner.
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Gear people often ask about
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A decent thermostat won’t fix a bad install, but it can stop the short-cycling arguments.
Partner options Affiliate linkTank, tankless, heat-pump — the sticker price is only half the story.
Partner options Affiliate linkRead the exclusions. “Full coverage” rarely means what the brochure implies.
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