FairangeDrywall · CA
Drywall cost in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Planning ranges for drywall work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, built from BLS OEWS May 2025 wages (SOC 47-2081) plus our published hours and materials. Open any job row to run it on your ZIP.
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA has its own Drywall labor market; here is what the BLS numbers say before you chase bids. Mean hourly pay here sits about 21% above the national OEWS mean.
On the national Drywall wage ladder (209 areas), San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA sits at #12 with a $37.03 mean. Compared with other CA areas that report Drywall wages, this market is #6 of 24. The published p10–p90 band runs $23.27 to $54.86 (a $31.59 spread around the $37.03 mean; median $36.68).
Local employment for this SOC is roughly 3,220 workers (OEWS May 2025). Nationwide that occupation is about 83,080. Sample jobs: Drywall Patch (small hole) mid estimate $164 here vs $138 U.S. (19% above); Drywall Installation mid estimate $2,521 here vs $2,145 U.S. (18% above).
Nearby / same-state markets worth checking: San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles ($35.63, 1.40 lower); Fresno ($35.13, 1.90 lower); Santa Cruz-Watsonville ($35.06, 1.97 lower).
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) (calc) | $55 | $164 | $458 |
| Drywall Installation (default size) (calc) | $982 | $2,521 | $7,580 |
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.
Drywall cost FAQ — San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
How much does drywall cost in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
We combine OEWS wages for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers with published hours and materials assumptions for jobs like drywall patch (small hole), drywall installation. Treat the table as a planning band, then collect written bids.
Where do the wages come from?
BLS OEWS May 2025 — mean $37.03, median $36.68, p10–p90 $23.27–$54.86 (SOC 47-2081).
Is this a contractor quote?
No. Fairange publishes educational planning ranges. Markup is 2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5× on labor; materials use cited retail baselines with a dampened regional factor. See methodology.
Job guides: Drywall Patch (small hole) · Drywall Installation. Reports: repair labor by metro. Open calculator with your ZIP.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Drywall (47-2081) | $37.03/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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Drywall. Partner.
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