Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $49,670 a year ($23.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,160 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $58,930. Pay here is 3% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $51,030. There are 0.20 drywall and ceiling tile installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $51,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for drywall and ceiling tile installers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| 25th percentile | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| Median | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| 75th percentile | $61,970 | $29.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,160 | $30.37 |
| Average (mean) | $51,920 | $24.96 |
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 | $4,139.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,069.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,910.38 |
| Weekly | $955.19 |
| Hourly | $23.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $57,350 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $56,430 | 440 |
| 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 |
See Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Electrician | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Carpenter | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Roofer | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Glazier | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Taper | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $63,200 | $30.39 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for drywall and ceiling tile installers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $49,670 a year, or $23.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid drywall and ceiling tile installers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of drywall and ceiling tile installers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $63,160 a year. The top 25% earn $61,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for drywall and ceiling tile installers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,460 a year, and a quarter of drywall and ceiling tile installers earn $45,620 or less.
How many drywall and ceiling tile installers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 80 drywall and ceiling tile installers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.