Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers salary in Iowa
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in Iowa earn a median of $51,030 a year ($24.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,650 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $58,930. Iowa ranks 27th of 49 states for drywall and ceiling tile installers pay. There are 0.19 drywall and ceiling tile installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $53,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for drywall and ceiling tile installers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 25th percentile | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| Median | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| 75th percentile | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,650 | $32.53 |
| Average (mean) | $53,230 | $25.59 |
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 | $4,252.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,126.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,962.69 |
| Weekly | $981.35 |
| Hourly | $24.53 |
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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $57,350 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $56,430 | 440 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $49,670 | 80 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,850 | 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Electrician | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Carpenter | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Roofer | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| Glazier | $57,330 | $27.56 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,440 | $33.38 |
| Pipelayer | $53,990 | $25.96 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $54,350 | $26.13 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for drywall and ceiling tile installers in Iowa is $51,030 a year, or $24.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid drywall and ceiling tile installers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of drywall and ceiling tile installers in Iowa earn at least $67,650 a year. The top 25% earn $61,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for drywall and ceiling tile installers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,750 a year, and a quarter of drywall and ceiling tile installers earn $44,800 or less.
How many drywall and ceiling tile installers work in Iowa?
About 290 drywall and ceiling tile installers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.