Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers salary in Columbia, SC
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $44,800 a year ($21.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,000 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $58,930. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $45,340. There are 0.12 drywall and ceiling tile installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.22). The average (mean) salary is $47,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for drywall and ceiling tile installers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| 25th percentile | $42,140 | $20.26 |
| Median | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| 75th percentile | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Average (mean) | $47,410 | $22.80 |
Half of drywall and ceiling tile installers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,733.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,866.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,723.08 |
| Weekly | $861.54 |
| Hourly | $21.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $47,910 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $45,900 | 440 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $38,670 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for drywall and ceiling tile installers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $104,830 |
| New Jersey | $75,080 |
| Alaska | $73,690 |
| Oregon | $73,530 |
| Washington | $73,130 |
| Massachusetts | $69,500 |
| California | $65,880 |
| Illinois | $63,180 |
| Missouri | $62,580 |
| New Hampshire | $61,960 |
See Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $42,630 | $20.49 |
| Electrician | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $52,070 | $25.04 |
| Carpenter | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,680 | $24.36 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Glazier | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Roofer | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $50,510 | $24.28 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $46,970 | $22.58 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drywall and ceiling tile installers make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for drywall and ceiling tile installers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $44,800 a year, or $21.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid drywall and ceiling tile installers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of drywall and ceiling tile installers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $65,000 a year. The top 25% earn $46,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for drywall and ceiling tile installers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,390 a year, and a quarter of drywall and ceiling tile installers earn $42,140 or less.
How many drywall and ceiling tile installers work in Columbia, SC?
About 50 drywall and ceiling tile installers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.