What is a drywall hanger and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Drywall Hangers are essential to construction. Their job has them working a lot with their hands, but they also do a lot of work behind a desk or a computer. They don't just install drywall -- they also need to calculate expenses, the number of materials required, and the dimensions of the rooms.

Drywall Hangers have to be physically fit and mentally sharp. After all, you can't afford to be careless when working around forklifts, hand tools, and other potentially dangerous equipment and chemicals. They are also involved in making electrical outlets, cutting out holes, measuring openings, and placing fixtures.

Drywall Hangers in the United States make $34,051 a year on average. That's about $16.37 an hour, which isn't bad considering there are no formal educational requirements for getting the position.

That doesn't mean that Drywall Hangers don't undergo some training before plying their trade. Many of them take apprenticeships under more veteran Drywall Hangers to receive on-the-job training and make business connections. Trade schools also offer training programs teaching potential applicants things like blueprint reading, building code requirements, and safety practices.

ScoreDrywall HangerUS Average
Salary
3.0

Avg. Salary $38,696

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
6.3

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.25%

Asian 1.27%

Black or African American 8.19%

Hispanic or Latino 31.63%

Unknown 3.64%

White 53.04%

Gender

female 3.91%

male 96.09%

Age - 40
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40
Stress Level
6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.7

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.8

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Drywall Hanger career paths

Key steps to become a drywall hanger

  1. Explore drywall hanger education requirements

    Most common drywall hanger degrees

    High School Diploma

    63.7 %

    Diploma

    13.7 %

    Associate

    13.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific drywall hanger skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Tape Measure17.80%
    Stud16.31%
    Ladders9.32%
    Scaffolding8.58%
    Work Ethic7.36%
  3. Complete relevant drywall hanger training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New drywall hangers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a drywall hanger based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real drywall hanger resumes.
  4. Research drywall hanger duties and responsibilities

    • Certify in rough-terrain forklifts and aerial work platforms through OSHA
    • Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting.
    • Create decorative textures in finish coat, using brushes, trowels, or sand.
    • Collaborate with electricians, carpenters and mechanics to complete construction projects.
  5. Prepare your drywall hanger resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your drywall hanger resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a drywall hanger resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Drywall Hanger Resume templates

    Build a professional Drywall Hanger resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Drywall Hanger resume.
    Drywall Hanger Resume
    Drywall Hanger Resume
    Drywall Hanger Resume
    Drywall Hanger Resume
    Drywall Hanger Resume
    Drywall Hanger Resume
    Drywall Hanger Resume
    Drywall Hanger Resume
    Drywall Hanger Resume
  6. Apply for drywall hanger jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a drywall hanger job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Drywall Hanger Job

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Average drywall hanger salary

The average Drywall Hanger salary in the United States is $38,696 per year or $19 per hour. Drywall hanger salaries range between $29,000 and $51,000 per year.

Average Drywall Hanger Salary
$38,696 Yearly
$18.60 hourly

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How do drywall hangers rate their job?

4/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Drywall Hanger reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2021
Pros

The end result of the work in hanging drywall

Cons

When it doesn't look professional


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Cons

No money. Wallpaper is defective in 10,000 ways. Not your fault, but they stop the check. Client stiffs you. Can't make rent.


profile
4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Using tools , skills, and the career path

Cons

Picking up full piece drywallvby myself


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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