Drywall and Framing Mechanic: metro pay ranking

At Skilled Trades Headhunters, this is what we do all day: recruit skilled trades professionals.

Skilled Trades Headhunters compares published medians for SOC 47-2081 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, not estimated offers for this particular title.

Which metros publish the highest and lowest medians?

This ranking uses the May 2025 annual median for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers. It is not adjusted for living costs. A metro is a BLS statistical area, not just the city limits. Top-coded or suppressed medians are not ranked.

Highest and lowest published metro medians
Metro	Median	Employment	Location quotient	Trade median / all-occupations median
Urban Honolulu, HI	$105,910	710	2.97	1.85
Napa, CA	$84,410	50	1.08	1.53
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$83,190	60	1.56	1.44
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$82,650	700	6.34	1.45
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$82,160	2,510	1.98	1.11
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$81,100	1,100	1.7	1.34
Worcester, MA	$80,280	120	0.62	1.39
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$79,430	1,960	3.24	0.95
El Centro, CA	$78,020	90	2.66	1.73
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$76,290	3,220	3.91	1.30
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$75,560	1,840	1.65	1.04
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$74,740	120	2.33	1.37
Salinas, CA	$73,650	160	1.61	1.55
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$73,520	450	2.89	1.50
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$71,320	2,560	0.51	1.16
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$69,120	540	0.22	1.26
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$67,730	70	2.61	1.14
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$67,060	180	2.82	1.32
Akron, OH	$66,450	30	0.19	1.36
Modesto, CA	$65,770	400	3.81	1.30
Columbus, OH	$65,450	570	0.96	1.27
Anchorage, AK	$65,200	60	0.61	1.08
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	$64,700	60	0.76	1.45
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$64,370	440	4.08	1.25
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$64,260	1,110	1.29	1.03
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$64,080	680	0.65	1.08
Bend, OR	$63,970	100	1.74	1.17
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$63,870	190	2.73	1.11
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$63,760	650	3.78	1.21
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$63,550	50	0.96	1.01
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$63,540	2,500	4.33	1.06
Madison, WI	$63,500	170	0.8	1.09
Manchester-Nashua, NH	$63,340	160	1.55	1.12
Cleveland, OH	$63,150	230	0.42	1.26
Merced, CA	$63,060	80	1.94	1.34
Toledo, OH	$62,920	150	0.94	1.30
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$62,800	7,710	2.3	1.12
Salem, OR	$62,400	200	1.99	1.13
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	$62,400	30	1.28	1.27
Fresno, CA	$62,280	800	3.13	1.33
Bellingham, WA	$61,980	80	1.73	1.07
Redding, CA	$61,870	100	2.69	1.26
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$61,710	110	0.52	1.26
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$61,500	60	0.93	1.02
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$61,420	200	1.02	1.23
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$61,420	3,640	3.97	1.27
Chico, CA	$61,410	60	1.41	1.28
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$61,280	980	0.63	1.13
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$61,260	160	0.27	1.24
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$61,120	120	1.28	1.11
Yuba City, CA	$60,970	70	2.58	1.22
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$60,800	340	0.77	1.19
Pittsburgh, PA	$60,600	380	0.64	1.22
Lancaster, PA	$60,510	200	1.48	1.26
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	$60,280	40	0.31	1.14
St. Louis, MO-IL	$60,250	250	0.35	1.21
Duluth, MN-WI	$60,220	40	0.55	1.20
commercial-vehicle manufacturers-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$60,080	410	0.4	1.15
Rochester, NY	$59,910	200	0.74	1.17
Youngstown-Warren, OH	$59,890	40	0.44	1.37
Greeley, CO	$59,830	50	0.78	1.09
Portland-South Portland, ME	$59,740	70	0.45	1.05
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$59,670	490	0.32	1.17
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$59,240	70	0.78	1.19
Eau Claire, WI	$59,220	40	0.94	1.23
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$59,070	2,210	1.32	0.83
Yakima, WA	$58,950	50	0.88	1.23
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$58,820	180	0.57	1.24
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$58,020	160	0.68	0.99
Wilmington, NC	$57,540	100	0.98	1.26
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$57,350	40	0.39	1.18
Colorado Springs, CO	$57,080	100	0.59	1.08
Springfield, MO	$56,550	60	0.48	1.24
Reno, NV	$56,480	560	3.8	1.14
Omaha, NE-IA	$56,430	440	1.67	1.14
Traverse City, MI	$55,750	30	0.86	1.17
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$55,470	290	0.49	1.11
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$55,460	990	2.24	1.00
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	$54,830	30	0.74	1.14
Santa Fe, NM	$54,830	50	1.67	1.13
Albuquerque, NM	$54,620	400	1.85	1.14
Yuma, AZ	$54,400	50	1.43	1.23
Ogden, UT	$54,240	360	2.47	1.11
Syracuse, NY	$54,100	160	1.01	1.02
Evansville, IN	$53,860	50	0.67	1.16
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$53,820	40	0.29	0.85
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$53,340	520	1.36	0.99
Grand Junction, CO	$53,320	50	1.42	1.10
Naples-Marco Island, FL	$52,830	200	2.18	1.11
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$52,280	2,340	3.85	1.12
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$52,270	1,930	1.52	1.02
Missoula, MT	$51,310	50	1.38	1.07
St. George, UT	$50,900	380	7.79	1.13
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$50,640	500	0.85	1.00
Albany, OR	$50,540	40	1.54	1.02
Greensboro-High Point, NC	$50,530	120	0.63	1.09
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$50,500	710	1.03	0.89
Medford, OR	$50,440	80	1.72	1.01
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$50,440	250	1.37	1.06
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$50,170	1,300	0.87	1.03
Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT	$49,760	590	3.62	1.04
Jacksonville, FL	$49,750	560	1.36	1.02
Fort Wayne, IN	$49,680	40	0.35	1.04
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$49,670	80	0.37	0.96
Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$49,560	220	2.26	1.03
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$49,560	770	0.99	1.01
Richmond, VA	$49,260	360	1.01	0.96
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$49,230	50	0.21	1.04
Waco, TX	$49,160	130	1.8	1.07
Odessa, TX	$49,040	40	0.91	1.01
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$48,920	270	0.67	0.99
Logan, UT-ID	$48,890	160	4.44	1.05
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$48,850	70	1.86	1.04
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	$48,810	80	0.64	1.00
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ	$48,780	60	1.95	1.10
Birmingham, AL	$48,760	270	0.98	1.02
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$48,680	470	0.65	0.82
Wichita, KS	$48,660	150	0.88	1.02
Lynchburg, VA	$48,610	50	0.91	1.05
Port St. Lucie, FL	$48,530	100	1.1	1.04
Lexington-Fayette, KY	$48,340	60	0.4	0.99
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$48,220	1,870	0.86	0.94
Tucson, AZ	$48,180	340	1.65	1.01
Baton Rouge, LA	$48,160	100	0.45	0.99
Rapid City, SD	$47,980	60	1.5	1.04
Fargo, ND-MN	$47,950	70	0.87	0.94
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC	$47,910	50	1.2	1.09
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	$47,760	900	1.2	1.02
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	$47,690	140	1.17	1.06
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA	$47,660	50	0.34	1.03
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$47,610	1,640	0.93	0.96
Roanoke, VA	$47,510	50	0.64	1.01
Harrisonburg, VA	$47,360	40	1.28	1.03
Lincoln, NE	$47,130	160	1.68	0.95
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR	$47,100	90	0.61	1.01
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$47,100	140	0.41	1.00
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	$47,070	800	4.88	1.01
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	$47,000	140	1.37	1.02
Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL	$47,000	60	1.94	1.03
Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ	$46,830	90	2.27	1.01
Kansas City, MO-KS	$46,720	530	0.9	0.92
Visalia, CA	$46,600	300	3.32	1.03
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	$46,590	140	0.96	1.01
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$46,550	290	0.49	0.99
Asheville, NC	$46,340	60	0.61	0.99
Huntsville, AL	$46,150	80	0.57	0.89
Tulsa, OK	$46,080	110	0.45	0.99
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$45,990	230	0.62	0.95
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$45,900	440	0.61	0.92
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$45,900	360	0.91	0.88
Oklahoma City, OK	$45,760	130	0.35	0.97
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	$45,670	40	0.68	1.01
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$45,170	60	0.43	0.97
Fayetteville, NC	$45,120	50	0.7	0.99
Tuscaloosa, AL	$45,110	40	0.67	1.00
Columbia, SC	$44,800	50	0.22	0.96
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	$44,570	60	0.3	0.97
Winston-Salem, NC	$44,540	80	0.56	0.96
Boise City, ID	$44,300	480	2.29	0.90
Ocala, FL	$44,250	100	1.49	1.01
El Paso, TX	$44,050	190	1.05	1.11
Tyler, TX	$43,740	80	1.34	1.03
Dover, DE	$43,540	60	1.7	0.93
Killeen-Temple, TX	$40,100	80	1.03	0.86
Clarksville, TN-KY	$39,480	40	0.73	0.88
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$38,670	70	0.36	0.79
Las Cruces, NM	$37,990	40	0.84	0.90
Twin Falls, ID	$34,880	50	1.69	0.77
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	$28,420	300	0.81	0.97

The wage ratio is simple arithmetic: this occupation's median divided by the all-occupations median in the same area and unit. It is not a cost-of-living measure. Location quotient describes the concentration of employment, not relative pay. Neither predicts what a particular candidate will accept.

Where does this trade pay most relative to local wages?

Occupation median divided by the same area's all-occupations median
Area	Wage ratio	Median	Location quotient
Urban Honolulu, HI	1.85	$105,910	2.97
El Centro, CA	1.73	$78,020	2.66
Salinas, CA	1.55	$73,650	1.61
Napa, CA	1.53	$84,410	1.08
Stockton-Lodi, CA	1.50	$73,520	2.89
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	1.45	$82,650	6.34
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	1.45	$64,700	0.76
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	1.44	$83,190	1.56
Worcester, MA	1.39	$80,280	0.62
Youngstown-Warren, OH	1.37	$59,890	0.44
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	1.37	$74,740	2.33
Akron, OH	1.36	$66,450	0.19
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	1.34	$81,100	1.7
Merced, CA	1.34	$63,060	1.94
Fresno, CA	1.33	$62,280	3.13
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	1.32	$67,060	2.82
Toledo, OH	1.30	$62,920	0.94
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	1.30	$76,290	3.91
Modesto, CA	1.30	$65,770	3.81
Chico, CA	1.28	$61,410	1.41
Columbus, OH	1.27	$65,450	0.96
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	1.27	$61,420	3.97
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	1.27	$62,400	1.28
Redding, CA	1.26	$61,870	2.69
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	1.26	$69,120	0.22
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	1.26	$61,710	0.52
Cleveland, OH	1.26	$63,150	0.42
Wilmington, NC	1.26	$57,540	0.98
Lancaster, PA	1.26	$60,510	1.48
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	1.25	$64,370	4.08
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	1.24	$61,260	0.27
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	1.24	$58,820	0.57
Springfield, MO	1.24	$56,550	0.48
Yakima, WA	1.23	$58,950	0.88
Yuma, AZ	1.23	$54,400	1.43
Eau Claire, WI	1.23	$59,220	0.94
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	1.23	$61,420	1.02
Pittsburgh, PA	1.22	$60,600	0.64
Yuba City, CA	1.22	$60,970	2.58
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	1.21	$63,760	3.78
St. Louis, MO-IL	1.21	$60,250	0.35
Duluth, MN-WI	1.20	$60,220	0.55
Eugene-Springfield, OR	1.19	$59,240	0.78
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	1.19	$60,800	0.77
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	1.18	$57,350	0.39
Traverse City, MI	1.17	$55,750	0.86
Bend, OR	1.17	$63,970	1.74
Rochester, NY	1.17	$59,910	0.74
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	1.17	$59,670	0.32
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	1.16	$71,320	0.51
Evansville, IN	1.16	$53,860	0.67
commercial-vehicle manufacturers-Warren-Dearborn, MI	1.15	$60,080	0.4
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	1.14	$60,280	0.31
Reno, NV	1.14	$56,480	3.8
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	1.14	$67,730	2.61
Albuquerque, NM	1.14	$54,620	1.85
Omaha, NE-IA	1.14	$56,430	1.67
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	1.14	$54,830	0.74
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	1.13	$61,280	0.63
Salem, OR	1.13	$62,400	1.99
St. George, UT	1.13	$50,900	7.79
Santa Fe, NM	1.13	$54,830	1.67
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	1.12	$62,800	2.3
Manchester-Nashua, NH	1.12	$63,340	1.55
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	1.12	$52,280	3.85
El Paso, TX	1.11	$44,050	1.05
Kennewick-Richland, WA	1.11	$63,870	2.73
Ogden, UT	1.11	$54,240	2.47
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	1.11	$82,160	1.98
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	1.11	$55,470	0.49
Naples-Marco Island, FL	1.11	$52,830	2.18
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	1.11	$61,120	1.28
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ	1.10	$48,780	1.95
Grand Junction, CO	1.10	$53,320	1.42
Madison, WI	1.09	$63,500	0.8
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC	1.09	$47,910	1.2
Greeley, CO	1.09	$59,830	0.78
Greensboro-High Point, NC	1.09	$50,530	0.63
Anchorage, AK	1.08	$65,200	0.61
Colorado Springs, CO	1.08	$57,080	0.59
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	1.08	$64,080	0.65
Missoula, MT	1.07	$51,310	1.38
Bellingham, WA	1.07	$61,980	1.73
Waco, TX	1.07	$49,160	1.8
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	1.06	$63,540	4.33
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	1.06	$50,440	1.37
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	1.06	$47,690	1.17
Logan, UT-ID	1.05	$48,890	4.44
Lynchburg, VA	1.05	$48,610	0.91
Portland-South Portland, ME	1.05	$59,740	0.45
Port St. Lucie, FL	1.04	$48,530	1.1
Fort Wayne, IN	1.04	$49,680	0.35
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	1.04	$49,230	0.21
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	1.04	$75,560	1.65
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	1.04	$48,850	1.86
Rapid City, SD	1.04	$47,980	1.5
Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT	1.04	$49,760	3.62
Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL	1.03	$47,000	1.94
Sioux Falls, SD-MN	1.03	$49,560	2.26
Visalia, CA	1.03	$46,600	3.32
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	1.03	$50,170	0.87
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	1.03	$64,260	1.29
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA	1.03	$47,660	0.34
Harrisonburg, VA	1.03	$47,360	1.28
Tyler, TX	1.03	$43,740	1.34
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	1.02	$61,500	0.93
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	1.02	$47,760	1.2
Wichita, KS	1.02	$48,660	0.88
Syracuse, NY	1.02	$54,100	1.01
Birmingham, AL	1.02	$48,760	0.98
Jacksonville, FL	1.02	$49,750	1.36
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	1.02	$52,270	1.52
Albany, OR	1.02	$50,540	1.54
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	1.02	$47,000	1.37
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	1.01	$49,560	0.99
Medford, OR	1.01	$50,440	1.72
Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ	1.01	$46,830	2.27
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR	1.01	$47,100	0.61
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	1.01	$46,590	0.96
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	1.01	$45,670	0.68
Odessa, TX	1.01	$49,040	0.91
Tucson, AZ	1.01	$48,180	1.65
Roanoke, VA	1.01	$47,510	0.64
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	1.01	$47,070	4.88
Ocala, FL	1.01	$44,250	1.49
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	1.01	$63,550	0.96
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	1.00	$50,640	0.85
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	1.00	$47,100	0.41
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	1.00	$55,460	2.24
Tuscaloosa, AL	1.00	$45,110	0.67
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	1.00	$48,810	0.64
Lexington-Fayette, KY	0.99	$48,340	0.4
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	0.99	$53,340	1.36
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	0.99	$58,020	0.68
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	0.99	$46,550	0.49
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	0.99	$48,920	0.67
Fayetteville, NC	0.99	$45,120	0.7
Baton Rouge, LA	0.99	$48,160	0.45
Asheville, NC	0.99	$46,340	0.61
Tulsa, OK	0.99	$46,080	0.45
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	0.97	$44,570	0.3
Oklahoma City, OK	0.97	$45,760	0.35
Chattanooga, TN-GA	0.97	$45,170	0.43
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	0.97	$28,420	0.81
Columbia, SC	0.96	$44,800	0.22
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	0.96	$47,610	0.93
Winston-Salem, NC	0.96	$44,540	0.56
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	0.96	$49,670	0.37
Richmond, VA	0.96	$49,260	1.01
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	0.95	$45,990	0.62
Lincoln, NE	0.95	$47,130	1.68
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	0.95	$79,430	3.24
Fargo, ND-MN	0.94	$47,950	0.87
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	0.94	$48,220	0.86
Dover, DE	0.93	$43,540	1.7
Kansas City, MO-KS	0.92	$46,720	0.9
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	0.92	$45,900	0.61
Las Cruces, NM	0.90	$37,990	0.84
Boise City, ID	0.90	$44,300	2.29
Huntsville, AL	0.89	$46,150	0.57
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	0.89	$50,500	1.03
Raleigh-Cary, NC	0.88	$45,900	0.91
Clarksville, TN-KY	0.88	$39,480	0.73
Killeen-Temple, TX	0.86	$40,100	1.03
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	0.85	$53,820	0.29
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	0.83	$59,070	1.32
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	0.82	$48,680	0.65
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	0.79	$38,670	0.36
Twin Falls, ID	0.77	$34,880	1.69

Broader occupation Our title "Drywall and Framing Mechanic" is reported by BLS as SOC 47-2081 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers. BLS groups Drywall and Framing Mechanic within Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.

National percentile table Methodology