Career comparison
Drywall Installer vs. Painter
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. $49,400), while painters usually get to work faster (1–6 months on the job of training). Drywall installers hang and finish the walls and ceilings inside homes, offices and commercial buildings. Painters prepare and paint walls, trim, buildings and structures for protection and a clean finish.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Drywall Installer | Painter | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $58,930 ($28.33/hr) | $49,400 ($23.75/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,460 – $102,010 | $37,440 – $78,810 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.5% (about as fast as average) | +3.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 6,600 | 24,900 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 3–12 months on the job | 1–6 months on the job |
| Key credential | OSHA 10-Hour Construction | EPA RRP Certified Renovator |
| Work setting | Installers work indoors on new construction and remodeling projects. | Painters work indoors and outdoors in homes, offices, schools, factories and on bridges and tanks. |
What each job does
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
Painter
- Protect floors, furniture and fixtures before work starts
- Wash, scrape, sand and patch surfaces
- Caulk gaps and apply primer
- Apply paint and coatings with brushes, rollers and sprayers
- Mix and match colors and finishes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, and indoor work. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
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
Choose painter if…
- I like making spaces look clean and finished
- I’m patient with careful prep work
- I’m comfortable on ladders
Still torn? Take the Drywall Installer fit quiz and the Painter fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, drywall installer or painter?
Drywall Installers earn more at the median: $58,930 versus $49,400 for painters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Painters typically train faster (1–6 months on the job) than drywall installers (3–12 months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects painters to grow +3.0% from 2025–35, compared with +2.5% for drywall installers.