Drywall installer salary in Rhode Island
Median $22.65 an hour for 440 drywall and ceiling tile installers, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Drywall installer pay in Rhode Island: the full range
Rhode Island ranks 40th of 49 states for median drywall installer pay, and 46th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $22.14). 440 drywall and ceiling tile installers work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $18.31 – $20.01 | $38,090 – $41,620 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $20.01 – $35.13 | $41,620 – $73,070 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $35.13 – $38.22 | $73,070 – $79,510 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Drywall installer pay by metro in Rhode Island
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $18.31 | $25.64 | $38.23 | 520 | 13% above |
Drywall installer wages in Rhode Island over time
Table
| Year | Rhode Island $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $18.03 | $34.84 | $15.34 | — |
| 2000 | $18.79 | $35.13 | $15.80 | — |
| 2001 | $18.61 | $33.83 | $15.87 | — |
| 2002 | $17.55 | $31.41 | $16.21 | — |
| 2004 | $14.14 | $24.10 | $16.36 | — |
| 2005 | $15.37 | $25.34 | $16.70 | — |
| 2007 | $17.99 | $27.93 | $17.56 | 80 |
| 2008 | $17.35 | $25.94 | $18.12 | — |
| 2009 | $18.17 | $27.27 | $17.88 | — |
| 2010 | $17.75 | $26.21 | $17.94 | 120 |
| 2011 | $17.80 | $25.48 | $17.78 | 130 |
| 2012 | $17.12 | $24.01 | $17.89 | 90 |
| 2013 | — | — | $17.89 | 90 |
| 2014 | $23.34 | $31.74 | $18.32 | 120 |
| 2017 | $21.51 | $28.25 | $20.60 | — |
| 2018 | $19.67 | $25.22 | $21.03 | 420 |
| 2019 | $19.29 | $24.29 | $21.97 | 560 |
| 2020 | $20.33 | $25.29 | $22.82 | 430 |
| 2021 | $18.35 | $21.80 | $23.09 | — |
| 2022 | — | — | $24.25 | 430 |
| 2025 | $22.65 | $22.65 | $28.33 | 440 |
Union scale and prevailing wage for drywall installers in Rhode Island
On federally funded construction in Rhode Island, contractors must pay drywall installers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 5 of the 5 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $64.62 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical —). The market median for the state is $22.65.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | Union PAIN0011-005 2025-06-01 | $38.82 | $25.80 | $64.62 | RI20260001 |
| Kent | Union PAIN0011-005 2025-06-01 | $38.82 | $25.80 | $64.62 | RI20260001 |
| Newport | Union PAIN0011-005 2025-06-01 | $38.82 | $25.80 | $64.62 | RI20260001 |
| Providence | Union PAIN0011-005 2025-06-01 | $38.82 | $25.80 | $64.62 | RI20260001 |
| Washington | Union PAIN0011-005 2025-06-01 | $38.82 | $25.80 | $64.62 | RI20260001 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Rhode Island prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Rhode Island?
Keep comparing
Drywall installer pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Rhode Island
Questions this page answers
How much do drywall installers make in Rhode Island?
The median drywall installer in Rhode Island earned $22.65 an hour ($47,110 a year) in May 2025, 20% below the national median of $28.33. The middle half earn $20.01–$35.13; the top 10% earn more than $38.22.
Where does Rhode Island rank for drywall installer pay?
Rhode Island ranks 40th of 49 states for drywall installer pay, with a median of $22.65 an hour, and 46th after adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (BEA price parity 102.3, US = 100).
What is the union drywall installer rate in Rhode Island?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for drywall installers in 5 counties, with a typical package of $64.62 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many drywall installers work in Rhode Island?
BLS counted 440 drywall and ceiling tile installers in Rhode Island in May 2025, 0.9 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.66; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Rhode Island and metro areas, SOC 47-2081.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.