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.
AI Impact Summary
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 15/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 1% of all analyzed occupations. Of 26 analyzed tasks, 0 are highly automatable. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
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 Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
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
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
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.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
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.
Measure and mark surfaces to lay out work, according to blueprints or drawings, using tape measures, straightedges or squares, and marking devices.
Fit and fasten wallboard or drywall into position on wood or metal frameworks, using glue, nails, or screws.
Measure and cut openings in panels or tiles for electrical outlets, windows, vents, plumbing, or other fixtures, using keyhole saws or other cutting tools.
Assemble or install metal framing or decorative trim for windows, doorways, or vents.
Cut metal or wood framing and trim to size, using cutting tools.
Inspect furrings, mechanical mountings, or masonry surfaces for plumbness and level, using spirit or water levels.
Cut fixture or border tiles to size, using keyhole saws, and insert them into surrounding frameworks.
Cut and screw together metal channels to make floor or ceiling frames, according to plans for the location of rooms or hallways.
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.
Trim rough edges from wallboard to maintain even joints, using knives.
Coordinate work with drywall finishers who cover the seams between drywall panels.
Suspend angle iron grids or channel irons from ceilings, using wire.
Install horizontal and vertical metal or wooden studs to frames so that wallboard can be attached to interior walls.
Scribe and cut edges of tile to fit walls where wall molding is not specified.
Hang dry lines to wall moldings to guide positioning of main runners.
Fasten metal or rockboard lath to the structural framework of walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using nails, screws, staples, or wire-ties.
Install blanket insulation between studs and tack plastic moisture barriers over insulation.
Seal joints between ceiling tiles and walls.
Remove existing plaster, drywall, or paneling, using crowbars and hammers.
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.
Mount tile, using adhesives, or by nailing, screwing, stapling, or wire-tying lath directly to structural frameworks.
Nail channels or wood furring strips to surfaces to provide mounting for tile.
Install metal lath where plaster applications will be exposed to weather or water, or for curved or irregular surfaces.
Apply cement to backs of tiles and press tiles into place, aligning them with layout marks or joints of previously laid tile.
Wash concrete surfaces before mounting tile to increase adhesive qualities of surfaces, using washing soda and zinc sulfate solution.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read blueprints or other specifications to determine methods of installation, work procedures, or material or tool requirements. | 49.68Observed | 69.1% | 5% | |
| Measure and mark surfaces to lay out work, according to blueprints or drawings, using tape measures, straightedges or squares, and marking devices. | 51.2Observed | 29.5% | 6% | |
| Fit and fasten wallboard or drywall into position on wood or metal frameworks, using glue, nails, or screws. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 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. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 6% | |
| Assemble or install metal framing or decorative trim for windows, doorways, or vents. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Cut metal or wood framing and trim to size, using cutting tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Inspect furrings, mechanical mountings, or masonry surfaces for plumbness and level, using spirit or water levels. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 3% | |
| Cut fixture or border tiles to size, using keyhole saws, and insert them into surrounding frameworks. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 4% | |
| Cut and screw together metal channels to make floor or ceiling frames, according to plans for the location of rooms or hallways. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 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. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Trim rough edges from wallboard to maintain even joints, using knives. | 5Estimated | 35.0% | 3% | |
| Coordinate work with drywall finishers who cover the seams between drywall panels. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 3% | |
| Suspend angle iron grids or channel irons from ceilings, using wire. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 4% | |
| Install horizontal and vertical metal or wooden studs to frames so that wallboard can be attached to interior walls. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Scribe and cut edges of tile to fit walls where wall molding is not specified. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 3% | |
| Hang dry lines to wall moldings to guide positioning of main runners. | 5Estimated | 35.0% | 2% | |
| Fasten metal or rockboard lath to the structural framework of walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using nails, screws, staples, or wire-ties. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 3% | |
| Install blanket insulation between studs and tack plastic moisture barriers over insulation. | 5Estimated | 35.0% | 3% | |
| Seal joints between ceiling tiles and walls. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 3% | |
| Remove existing plaster, drywall, or paneling, using crowbars and hammers. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 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. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 3% | |
| Mount tile, using adhesives, or by nailing, screwing, stapling, or wire-tying lath directly to structural frameworks. | 5Estimated | 35.0% | 2% | |
| Nail channels or wood furring strips to surfaces to provide mounting for tile. | 5Estimated | 35.0% | 2% | |
| Install metal lath where plaster applications will be exposed to weather or water, or for curved or irregular surfaces. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Apply cement to backs of tiles and press tiles into place, aligning them with layout marks or joints of previously laid tile. | 5Estimated | 35.0% | 2% | |
| Wash concrete surfaces before mounting tile to increase adhesive qualities of surfaces, using washing soda and zinc sulfate solution. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 24.6%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$58,140
per year
Mean Wage
$62,810
per year
Employment
83K
workers
Wage Range
$37,810 - $101,380
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change