Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers salary in New Jersey
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in New Jersey earn a median of $75,080 a year ($36.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,200 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $58,930. New Jersey ranks 2nd of 49 states for drywall and ceiling tile installers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.31 drywall and ceiling tile installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $81,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for drywall and ceiling tile installers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| 25th percentile | $53,680 | $25.81 |
| Median | $75,080 | $36.09 |
| 75th percentile | $115,270 | $55.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,200 | $56.83 |
| Average (mean) | $81,280 | $39.08 |
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 | $6,256.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,128.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,887.69 |
| Weekly | $1,443.85 |
| Hourly | $36.09 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $71,320 | 2,560 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $61,710 | 110 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,280 | 980 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $53,820 | 40 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Carpenter | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| Electrician | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $78,240 | $37.61 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $89,660 | $43.11 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $92,840 | $44.64 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,410 | $29.52 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| Roofer | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $113,220 | $54.43 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Glazier | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $52,750 | $25.36 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for drywall and ceiling tile installers in New Jersey is $75,080 a year, or $36.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid drywall and ceiling tile installers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of drywall and ceiling tile installers in New Jersey earn at least $118,200 a year. The top 25% earn $115,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for drywall and ceiling tile installers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,990 a year, and a quarter of drywall and ceiling tile installers earn $53,680 or less.
How many drywall and ceiling tile installers work in New Jersey?
About 1,340 drywall and ceiling tile installers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.