How much does a drywall installer earn?
Drywall installers (Trockenbauer) fit stud frames, plasterboard, system ceilings and lining walls for interior finishing – in new builds, conversions and renovation. They implement fire, sound and thermal requirements, skim surfaces and coordinate with site management and other finishing trades. Gross pay depends on region, finishing-trade collective agreements, company size, specialisation (e.g. fire protection, acoustics) and order situation. As a guide, qualified drywall installers in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,100–€3,700 gross per month; during apprenticeship around €950–€1,270 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. The apprenticeship column refers to dual training as drywall installer / finishing trades worker with a drywall focus; qualified means practising drywall installers. Actual pay depends on finishing-trade collective agreements, hardship and site allowances, employer, region, specialisation (e.g. fire protection, acoustics, system ceilings) and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
A drywall installer reads drawings, builds substructures and clads walls and ceilings with board materials. Everyday work includes physical labour on site, precise junctions and surfaces, and coordination with electrical, plumbing and painting trades – often under deadline pressure in new build, conversion and renovation.
- Measure, align and install metal stud frames and substructures according to drawings.
- Cut, fix, joint and skim plasterboard, fire and acoustic boards (surface levels Q1–Q4).
- Build suspended and system ceilings, lining walls and openings for doors, lights and services.
- Meet fire, sound and thermal insulation requirements and finish clean junctions with adjoining trades.
- Read plans and details, take measurements and check plumb, level and surface quality.
- Coordinate with site management, electricians, plumbers and painters; organise materials, scaffolding and schedules and follow H&S (dust, working at height, PPE).
