Career comparison
Concrete Finisher vs. Drywall Installer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Drywall installers earn more at the median ($58,930 vs. $57,020), while concrete finishers usually get to work faster (3–12 months on the job of training). Concrete finishers place, level and finish concrete for slabs, floors, sidewalks and roads. Drywall installers hang and finish the walls and ceilings inside homes, offices and commercial buildings.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Concrete Finisher | Drywall Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $57,020 ($27.41/hr) | $58,930 ($28.33/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,190 – $85,480 | $38,460 – $102,010 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.6% (slower than average) | +2.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 13,600 | 6,600 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 3–12 months on the job | 3–12 months on the job |
| Key credential | ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher | OSHA 10-Hour Construction |
| Work setting | Finishers work outdoors and inside buildings under construction. | Installers work indoors on new construction and remodeling projects. |
What each job does
Concrete Finisher
- Set and check forms and reinforcement
- Place and spread fresh concrete
- Screed concrete to grade
- Float and trowel surfaces by hand and with power trowels
- Edge and cut control joints
Drywall Installer
- Read blueprints and measure walls and ceilings
- Cut and hang drywall panels with screws and adhesive
- Frame metal studs, soffits and bulkheads
- Install corner bead and trim
- Tape and apply joint compound in multiple coats
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, and teamwork. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose concrete finisher if…
- I don’t mind very early mornings
- I like fast-paced physical work
- I can read conditions and make quick decisions
Choose drywall installer if…
- I like physical, hands-on work
- I’m good at measuring and cutting accurately
- I don’t mind dust and repetitive tasks
Still torn? Take the Concrete Finisher fit quiz and the Drywall Installer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, concrete finisher or drywall installer?
Drywall Installers earn more at the median: $58,930 versus $57,020 for concrete finishers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Concrete Finishers typically train faster (3–12 months on the job) than drywall installers (3–12 months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects drywall installers to grow +2.5% from 2025–35, compared with +1.6% for concrete finishers.