Takeover Tracker
15%low risk

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fire-proofing, or acoustical material.

Higher risk than 1% of occupations
Checking for existing plan...

How AI Impacts Each Task

26 tasks analyzed

Read blueprints or other specifications to determine methods of installation, work procedures, or material or tool requirements.

Risk: 69.1%AI: 49.68ObservedTime: 5%

Measure and mark surfaces to lay out work, according to blueprints or drawings, using tape measures, straightedges or squares, and marking devices.

Risk: 29.5%AI: 51.2ObservedTime: 6%

Fit and fasten wallboard or drywall into position on wood or metal frameworks, using glue, nails, or screws.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 10%

Measure and cut openings in panels or tiles for electrical outlets, windows, vents, plumbing, or other fixtures, using keyhole saws or other cutting tools.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 6%

Assemble or install metal framing or decorative trim for windows, doorways, or vents.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 5%

Cut metal or wood framing and trim to size, using cutting tools.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 5%

Inspect furrings, mechanical mountings, or masonry surfaces for plumbness and level, using spirit or water levels.

Risk: 41.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 3%

Cut fixture or border tiles to size, using keyhole saws, and insert them into surrounding frameworks.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 4%

Cut and screw together metal channels to make floor or ceiling frames, according to plans for the location of rooms or hallways.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 5%

Hang drywall panels on metal frameworks of walls and ceilings in offices, schools, or other large buildings, using lifts or hoists to adjust panel heights when necessary.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 8%

Trim rough edges from wallboard to maintain even joints, using knives.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 3%

Coordinate work with drywall finishers who cover the seams between drywall panels.

Risk: 19.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 3%

Suspend angle iron grids or channel irons from ceilings, using wire.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 4%

Install horizontal and vertical metal or wooden studs to frames so that wallboard can be attached to interior walls.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 5%

Scribe and cut edges of tile to fit walls where wall molding is not specified.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 3%

Hang dry lines to wall moldings to guide positioning of main runners.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 2%

Fasten metal or rockboard lath to the structural framework of walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using nails, screws, staples, or wire-ties.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 3%

Install blanket insulation between studs and tack plastic moisture barriers over insulation.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 3%

Seal joints between ceiling tiles and walls.

Risk: 37.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 3%

Remove existing plaster, drywall, or paneling, using crowbars and hammers.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 3%

Apply or mount acoustical tile or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings or walls of buildings to reduce reflection of sound or to decorate rooms.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 3%

Mount tile, using adhesives, or by nailing, screwing, stapling, or wire-tying lath directly to structural frameworks.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 2%

Nail channels or wood furring strips to surfaces to provide mounting for tile.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 2%

Install metal lath where plaster applications will be exposed to weather or water, or for curved or irregular surfaces.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 2%

Apply cement to backs of tiles and press tiles into place, aligning them with layout marks or joints of previously laid tile.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 2%

Wash concrete surfaces before mounting tile to increase adhesive qualities of surfaces, using washing soda and zinc sulfate solution.

Risk: 37.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 2%

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (11)

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Service Orientation82%

Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.8pt risk+$3K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Courserabeginner

Google UX Design Professional Certificate

by Google

~5 months$49/mo4.8Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Critical Thinking

Estimated Impact

-4.7pt risk+$3K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Leading People and Teams Specialization

by University of Michigan

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Leadership

Estimated Impact

-3.5pt risk+$3K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.

Alternate Career Paths

See all transitions

Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

-5.9

overall change

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

Less than High School42%
High School Diploma24%
Some College19%
Post-Secondary Certificate10%
Bachelor's Degree5%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None12%
1-3 months4%
3-6 months4%
1-2 years42%
2-4 years11%
4-6 years16%
6-8 years5%
8-10 years6%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None6%
Up to 1 month6%
1-3 months7%
3-6 months10%
6 months - 1 year11%
1-2 years8%
2-4 years35%
4-6 years10%
6-8 years6%

Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis