Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers salary in Tennessee
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in Tennessee earn a median of $47,510 a year ($22.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,650 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $58,930. Tennessee ranks 38th of 49 states for drywall and ceiling tile installers pay. There are 0.35 drywall and ceiling tile installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $49,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for drywall and ceiling tile installers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,220 | $17.90 |
| 25th percentile | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Median | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| 75th percentile | $56,540 | $27.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,650 | $31.56 |
| Average (mean) | $49,710 | $23.90 |
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 | $3,959.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,979.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,827.31 |
| Weekly | $913.65 |
| Hourly | $22.84 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $50,640 | 500 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47,100 | 140 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,670 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $45,170 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $39,480 | 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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| Electrician | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Carpenter | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Roofer | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $56,750 | $27.29 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $63,850 | $30.70 |
| Glazier | $48,610 | $23.37 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for drywall and ceiling tile installers in Tennessee is $47,510 a year, or $22.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid drywall and ceiling tile installers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of drywall and ceiling tile installers in Tennessee earn at least $65,650 a year. The top 25% earn $56,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for drywall and ceiling tile installers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,220 a year, and a quarter of drywall and ceiling tile installers earn $39,470 or less.
How many drywall and ceiling tile installers work in Tennessee?
About 1,150 drywall and ceiling tile installers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.