California median pay
$65,880 a year
National median
$58,930
Drywall installers in CA
About 34,000
Openings per year
About 2,590
Drywall installers hang gypsum panels and ceiling tile on walls and ceilings in homes, offices, schools and hospitals. California employs about 34,000 of them and pays above the national median, with Bay Area and San Diego installers earning the most. It’s one of the easier trades to break into, and one of the easier ones to turn into a business.
Is drywall a good starter trade?
From the dean’s desk
It’s a good starting trade, and it’s something that could easily lead to your own business with low overhead.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Trades, Transportation & Apprenticeship
- Fast entry: many installers start as helpers and learn on the job, or through a union apprenticeship.
- Low startup cost: the basic tools are affordable compared with most trades, which keeps overhead low if you go out on your own.
- Skills that stack: framing, taping and finishing, and acoustical ceilings all build on drywall work.
Starting your own drywall business in California
In California, you can do small jobs without a contractor’s license only if the total job is under $1,000 for labor and materials, needs no building permit, and you have no employees. That limit rose from $500 to $1,000 on January 1, 2025. For bigger jobs, you need a license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Drywall falls under the C-9 Drywall classification, and CSLB generally requires four years of journey-level experience to qualify.
Training options
- Union apprenticeships: the carpenters’ union trains drywall and lathers apprentices in California, with paid on-the-job training and classes.
- Helper jobs: many contractors hire helpers and train them on hanging, taping and finishing.
- Community college construction programs: a good way to learn blueprint reading, safety and basic framing.
What drywall installers earn in California
California drywall installers earned a median of $65,880 in May 2025, compared with $58,930 nationally.
| Area | Median pay (May 2025) | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara | $79,430 | $38.19 |
| San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Fresno | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| California overall | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| United States | $58,930 | $28.33 |
California expects drywall jobs to grow about 5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,590 openings a year.
Steps to become a drywall installer in California
1
Get hired as a helper or apprentice
Most installers learn on the job.
2
Learn hanging, then finishing
Taping and finishing skills raise your value and pay.
3
Build four years of experience
That’s the usual bar to qualify for a contractor’s license.
4
Get your C-9 license if you go out on your own
Required for jobs of $1,000 or more, or any job that needs a permit.
5
Grow your business
Low overhead makes drywall a practical first business.
Frequently asked questions
Is drywall a good trade to start in?
Yes. It’s easy to get into, and it can lead to your own business with low overhead.
Do I need a license to do drywall in California?
Not to work for a contractor. To contract jobs of $1,000 or more (labor and materials), or any job that needs a permit, you need a CSLB license, typically the C-9 Drywall classification.
How much do drywall installers make in California?
The median was $65,880 a year in May 2025, and about $82,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Sources
- CSLB: Minor work threshold rises to $1,000 (AB 2622)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Drywall Installers
- O*NET OnLine: Drywall installer wages and outlook in California (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Related: Carpenter in California · All California guides
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