FairangeDrywall · CA
Drywall costs in Merced, CA
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
Practical cut for Merced: published OEWS wages for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, then the same estimating math we use everywhere. Mean hourly pay here sits about 3% above the national OEWS mean.
On the national Drywall wage ladder (209 areas), Merced, CA sits at #43 with a $31.38 mean. Inside CA, that is rank 21 of 24 published areas. The published p10–p90 band runs $21.69 to $36.93 (a $15.24 spread around the $31.38 mean; median $30.32).
OEWS counts about 80 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers jobs in this area. Nationwide that occupation is about 83,080. Sample jobs: Drywall Patch (small hole) mid estimate $142 here vs $138 U.S. (2% above); Drywall Installation mid estimate $2,192 here vs $2,145 U.S. (2% above).
Nearby / same-state markets worth checking: El Centro ($31.71, 0.33 higher); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario ($30.99, 0.39 lower); Chico ($31.78, 0.40 higher).
Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.
Sample project ranges
| Project | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drywall Patch (small hole) | $51 | $142 | $322 |
| Drywall Installation (default size) | $927 | $2,192 | $5,319 |
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.
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.
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.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Drywall (47-2081) | $31.38/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 Merced, CA Drywall. Partner.
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