Drywall Carpenter Salary by City: What You Actually Make in 2026
Quick Answer
Drywall carpenters in the U.S. earn between $22 and $52 per hour depending on market, experience level, and union status. The national median sits around $28/hour for open-shop journeymen. Union scale in high-cost metros such as New York City, Chicago and San Francisco typically runs between $45–$52/hour in base wages. Texas, Phoenix, and Southeast markets land in the $24–$34/hour range. If you work overtime, those numbers climb fast.
Why Your Market Matters More Than the National Average
National salary data for drywall carpenters is mostly noise. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures average together a first-year apprentice in rural Georgia with a foreman running a 400,000-square-foot industrial project in New Jersey. Those numbers tell you nothing about what you should be making.
What actually moves your pay: the metro you work in, whether the job is union or open shop, your specialty (metal stud framing vs. finishing vs. EIFS), and how much commercial and industrial work is flowing in that region. This article breaks it down by market so you can benchmark your own rate and know when you’re leaving money on the table.
Drywall carpenters in the highest-paying U.S. markets earn 85–110% more per hour than those in the lowest-paying regions.
Drywall Carpenter Wages by Major U.S. Market (2026)
The table below reflects journeyman-level rates for commercial and industrial work. Union figures include base wages only and total package with fringe (health, pension, annuity) typically adds $15–$25/hour on top.
| Market | Open Shop Range | Union Base (where applicable) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | $36–$48/hr | $48–$52/hr | UBCJA Local 1974; highest-cost market |
| Chicago, IL | $32–$44/hr | $44–$50/hr | UBCJA Local 1 & 54; strong industrial pipeline |
| Los Angeles, CA | $30–$42/hr | $42–$48/hr | Local 2361; high prevailing wage work |
| San Francisco Bay Area, CA | $34–$46/hr | $46–$52/hr | Carpenters Local 22; driven by data center & lab work |
| Seattle, WA | $30–$42/hr | $42–$47/hr | Local 131; heavy commercial pipeline |
| Denver, CO | $26–$36/hr | $36–$42/hr | Growing market; industrial lagging behind commercial |
| Phoenix, AZ | $24–$34/hr | Limited union presence | Mostly open shop; high volume, competitive rates |
| Dallas–Fort Worth, TX | $24–$33/hr | Limited union presence | Largest open-shop market in country |
| Houston, TX | $23–$32/hr | Limited union presence | Industrial project volume drives OT potential |
| Atlanta, GA | $22–$30/hr | Limited union presence | Strong spec commercial; lower base wages |
| Nashville, TN | $22–$30/hr | Limited union presence | Fast-growing but wages lagging market growth |
| Miami, FL | $22–$30/hr | Limited union presence | High cost of living vs. mid-tier wages |
| Minneapolis, MN | $28–$38/hr | $38–$44/hr | UBCJA presence; healthcare & industrial sectors strong |
| Washington, D.C. | $30–$40/hr | $40–$46/hr | High prevailing wage federal/commercial work |
Journeyman-level rates for commercial and industrial work. Union figures reflect base wages only — total package with fringe (health, pension, annuity) typically adds $15–$25/hour.
In Dallas-Fort Worth — the largest open-shop drywall market in the U.S. — a journeyman earns roughly $24–$33/hour. The same experience level in San Francisco union scale pays $46–$52/hour.
Union vs. Open Shop: What the Pay Difference Actually Looks Like
This is the most common question workers ask when considering whether to pursue a union card. Here’s a straight comparison using Chicago as the example — a market with both strong union presence and active open-shop GCs.
| Factor | Open Shop (Chicago) | Union (Chicago, Local 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Hourly Wage | $32–$44/hr | $44–$50/hr |
| Health Insurance | Employer-dependent; often partial | Full family coverage via fund |
| Pension / Retirement | Varies; often 401k match only | Defined pension + annuity fund |
| Overtime Rate | 1.5x after 40 hrs | 1.5x after 8 hrs/day (some agreements) |
| Apprenticeship | Company-run; variable quality | JATC program; standardized curriculum |
| Total Package Value | $44–$58/hr equivalent | $62–$75/hr equivalent |
Chicago example using UBCJA Local 1. Fringe benefit values vary by local agreement and fund performance.
The gap in base wages is real but the fringe package is where union workers often pull further ahead. A journeyman in a strong-fringe market who works 2,000 hours per year can see $30,000–$50,000 more in total compensation than a comparable open-shop worker at the same base rate.
Total union compensation packages in major markets frequently add $18–$25/hour in fringe benefits on top of the base wage — bringing effective total value to $60–$75/hour in high-cost metros.
Pay by Specialty Within the Trade
Not all drywall carpenters do the same work. Where you specialize inside the trade shapes what you earn.
Metal Stud Framing
The backbone of commercial interiors. Framers on large industrial or healthcare projects with complex layout work can command the top of the range in their market. In high-cost metros, lead framers on demanding projects earn $38–$48/hour open shop.
Drywall Hanging
High-production hanging on straight commercial work typically sits mid-range. Productivity matters here as piece-rate arrangements exist on some projects and top hangers outpace hourly rates.
Finishing / Taping
Finishing commands a premium in markets with tight quality requirements, particularly healthcare, higher-ed, and Class A office. Journeyman finishers in NYC or San Francisco regularly hit $44–$52/hour. In lower-cost markets, the premium is smaller but still 10–15% above straight hanging work.
EIFS / Exterior Systems
EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) is a specialized skill set that overlaps with drywall carpenters in some markets. Workers with EIFS certification earn a meaningful premium — typically $3–$6/hour above standard rates.
Foreman / Superintendent
A working foreman in a mid-tier market earns $36–$44/hour. A superintendent managing multiple crews on a large commercial project in a top-tier market can hit $90,000–$130,000 annually depending on project complexity and company structure.
Drywall finishers with healthcare and pharma project experience earn a 10–20% wage premium over general commercial finishers in most markets.
What Drywall Carpenters Actually Take Home Annually
Hourly rates matter, but annual income depends on how much work is in your market and how many hours you put in. Commercial and industrial projects frequently run overtime, especially during pushes to meet turnover dates.
| Scenario | Market | Base Rate | Hours/Year | Est. Annual Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open shop, no OT | Dallas–Fort Worth | $28/hr | 2,000 | ~$56,000 |
| Open shop, light OT | Dallas–Fort Worth | $28/hr | 2,200 | ~$64,400 |
| Open shop, no OT | Chicago | $38/hr | 2,000 | ~$76,000 |
| Open shop, heavy OT | Chicago | $38/hr | 2,400 | ~$100,400 |
| Union journeyman, no OT | New York City | $50/hr | 1,800 | ~$90,000 |
| Union journeyman, moderate OT | New York City | $50/hr | 2,200 | ~$117,500 |
| Union foreman, moderate OT | San Francisco | $56/hr | 2,200 | ~$131,600 |
Figures reflect base wage gross only. Union workers should add $35,000–$55,000 annually for full fringe benefit package value.
These figures do not include fringe benefits. Union workers in the top markets should add $35,000–$55,000 annually for the full package value.
A drywall carpenter running steady overtime in a top-tier union market can gross $110,000–$135,000+ annually in base wages alone before fringe benefits.
Markets Worth Watching in 2026
Wage levels follow project volume. These markets have significant construction pipelines that are pushing wages up faster than the national average right now.
Phoenix, AZ: Data center and semiconductor fab construction is driving sustained commercial work. Wages have climbed $3–$5/hour over the past 18 months.
Columbus, OH: Intel's semiconductor campus and follow-on commercial development have created a surge in demand. Open-shop journeyman rates are up sharply.
Austin, TX: Tech office and mixed-use pipelines continue despite some slowdown in speculative office. Wages are running $26–$34/hour for experienced journeymen.
Raleigh–Durham, NC: Life sciences and biomanufacturing projects require high-finish interior work. Workers with relevant experience are commanding premiums.
Nashville, TN: Wage growth is starting to catch construction volume. Rates up 8–12% from two years ago but still behind comparable-cost metros.
FAQ: What Drywall Carpenters Make
What is the average hourly wage for a drywall carpenter in the United States?
The national median for drywall carpenters is approximately $26–$28/hour for open-shop journeymen. Union scale in major metros ranges from $38 to $52/hour in base wages. The BLS-reported median of around $24/hour reflects the full mix including lower-cost markets and less experienced workers.
Do drywall carpenters make more in union or non-union shops?
In major metro markets with strong union presence, union workers typically earn more in total compensation — especially when fringe benefits (health, pension, annuity) are factored in. Total package value in cities like Chicago, New York, and San Francisco can reach $60–$75/hour equivalent for union journeymen. Open-shop rates are more variable and employer-dependent.
What is the highest-paying city for drywall carpenters?
San Francisco and New York City consistently post the highest wages. Union scale in both markets runs $46–$52/hour in base wages. San Francisco benefits from heavy data center, lab, and pharmaceutical construction demanding high-quality interior work.
How much do drywall carpenters make in Texas?
Texas is a large, mostly open-shop market. Journeyman rates run $23–$33/hour depending on city and project type. Houston industrial work and DFW commercial corridors are the strongest markets. Overtime is common on major projects and can add significantly to annual income.
What do drywall finishers get paid compared to framers?
Finishers typically earn a 10–20% premium over framers in markets where quality finishing is in demand — particularly healthcare, pharmaceutical, and Class A office projects. In lower-tier markets, the gap narrows. Both specialties fall under the drywall carpenter classification in most union agreements.
Can drywall carpenters earn six figures?
Yes — but it requires the right combination of market, experience, and hours. Union journeymen in New York, Chicago, or San Francisco working 2,200–2,400 hours per year regularly gross over $100,000 in base wages. Foremen and superintendents in top markets frequently hit $110,000–$135,000+.
How do prevailing wage projects affect drywall carpenter pay?
Prevailing wage requirements on public, federal, or federally assisted construction projects set minimum wage and fringe benefit rates based on local market surveys. In high-prevailing-wage markets like California, New York, and D.C., these rates effectively bring open-shop workers up to near-union pay on covered projects. Knowing how to read prevailing wage determinations is a practical skill worth developing.
What affects drywall carpenter wages more — experience or location?
Location. A 10-year journeyman in Atlanta earns less than a 3-year apprentice finishing their term in San Francisco under union scale. That said, experience drives wage growth within a market faster than almost anything else — particularly when you develop specialty skills like clean-room finishing, complex metal stud layout, or EIFS application.
Know What You’re Worth. Find Work That Pays It.
The data in this article gives you a benchmark. What it can’t do is connect you to the contractors and projects in your market that are actually paying top-of-range rates for your skill set.
