Drywall finisher
Jobs in the construction industry often focus on one particular area of expertise. A drywall finisher is skilled craftsman who takes over after the drywall panel hangers leave, and it's his job to prepare the wall for paint, texture or wall covering.
Duties
A drywall finisher is responsible for applying drywall compound to the seams between drywall panels and to nail and screw indentations on the surface of the panels. The finisher will work on new walls and ceilings, and he may repair existing walls as well. The drywall finisher may prepare high walls and ceilings that require the use of ladders or scaffolding.
Training
While some trade schools offer limited courses in drywall installation and finishing, hands-on experience is the most common method of training for this career. Contractors may offer apprenticeship programs to help the drywall finisher learn the trade. A typical apprenticeship program requires approximately 6,000 hours of hands-on experience, or about three years.
Qualifications
Many construction companies will not hire anyone under 18, although some apprenticeship programs may take 17-year-olds, according to Oregon.gov. On construction jobs where the workforce is unionized, the drywall finisher may have to join a local union in order to work on the project. Individual project managers may require a drywall finisher to provide former references that validate his work history.
Required Tools
An independent drywall finisher will have his own tools, while a finisher that works for a larger company may use the company's tools. Standard taping tools, mixers, buckets, knives and trowels are required, and some jobs may require additional tools, such as drywall stilts, tape and mud dispensers and hand tools that smooth drywall compound into rounded or arched shapes.
Salary
A drywall finisher's wage increases as his skill and experience increases. As of May 2010, Payscale.com lists the salary range between $35,000 and $50,398 for a drywall finisher with 10 to 19 years of experience and up to $60,000 per year for a drywall finisher who has more than 20 years of experience.
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