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Drywall Apprentice Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Solid Rock Recruiting LLC

Drywall Foreman

Aurora, IL

Mentor and train apprentices and journeymen as needed Qualifications: * Minimum 5 years of experience in commercial drywall installation * Prior supervisory or foreman experience required * Strong ...

Anning-Johnson Company

Chicago-Taper

Melrose Park, IL · On-site

$53.05/hr

Tapers apply drywall tape compound to the seams between drywall panels and to nail and screw ... Range is $19.93 per hour for entry level apprentice to $53.05 per hour for journeyman, scales vary ...

Anning-Johnson Company

Chicago-Taper

Melrose Park, IL

$53.05/hr

Tapers apply drywall tape compound to the seams between drywall panels and to nail and screw ... Range is $19.93 per hour for entry level apprentice to $53.05 per hour for journeyman, scales vary ...

Anning Johnson

Chicago-Taper

Melrose Park, IL · On-site

$53.05/hr

Tapers apply drywall tape compound to the seams between drywall panels and to nail and screw ... Range is $19.93 per hour for entry level apprentice to $53.05 per hour for journeyman, scales vary ...

Anning-Johnson Company

Chicago-Taper

Melrose Park, IL · On-site

$53.05/hr

Tapers apply drywall tape compound to the seams between drywall panels and to nail and screw ... Range is $19.93 per hour for entry level apprentice to $53.05 per hour for journeyman, scales vary ...

Anning Johnson

Chicago-Taper

Chicago, IL · On-site

$53.05/hr

Tapers apply drywall tape compound to the seams between drywall panels and to nail and screw ... Range is $19.93 per hour for entry level apprentice to $53.05 per hour for journeyman, scales vary ...

Power Construction

Union Drywall Carpenter

Chicago, IL · On-site

$22.50 - $30.50/hr

... wood, drywall, plaster, concrete and brick. * Study specifications in blueprints, sketches or ... POSITION REQUIREMENTS: • High school degree or equivalent • Participates in Apprenticeship ...

The Edge Construction

Be Seen First

Commercial Metal Stud Carpenter

Chicago, IL · On-site

$20 - $40/hr

The Edge Construction Co. does metal framing, drywall, acoustic ceilings, taping, and more for ... The Edge is seeking - Apprentice, Journeyman, and Foreman level carpenters Three years carpentry ...

The Edge Construction

Be Seen First

Commercial Metal Stud Carpenter

Arlington Heights, IL · On-site

$20 - $40/hr

The Edge Construction Co. does metal framing, drywall, acoustic ceilings, taping, and more for ... The Edge is seeking - Apprentice, Journeyman, and Foreman level carpenters Three years carpentry ...

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All JobsDrywall Apprentice JobsDrywall Apprentice Jobs in Chicago, IL

Drywall Apprentice information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$12

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$27

How much do drywall apprentice jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for drywall apprentice in Chicago, IL is $20.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.21 and $22.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drywall apprentice?

A Drywall Apprentice is an entry-level worker who assists experienced drywall installers or finishers in measuring, cutting, installing, and finishing drywall panels in buildings. Apprentices typically learn on the job, gaining hands-on experience with tools, materials, and safety procedures. Their duties often include preparing surfaces, mixing compounds, installing panels, and sanding or taping seams. Over time, apprentices can advance to become skilled drywall installers or finishers as they gain experience and complete any required training or certifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drywall apprentice, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drywall Apprentice, you need basic construction knowledge, manual dexterity, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with hand tools, power tools, measuring devices, and often safety certifications like OSHA 10 are typically required. Strong attention to detail, willingness to learn, and effective teamwork set outstanding apprentices apart. These skills and qualities ensure precise installations, safety compliance, and smooth collaboration on job sites.

What are some common challenges faced by drywall apprentices during their first year on the job?

Drywall Apprentices often encounter challenges such as mastering the proper techniques for cutting, hanging, and finishing drywall efficiently while maintaining quality. Adjusting to the physical demands of the role, including working at heights or in tight spaces, is also common. Additionally, apprentices may find it challenging to adapt to fast-paced job sites and learn how to effectively communicate and coordinate with experienced team members. Overcoming these obstacles is an important part of the learning process and helps apprentices build the skills needed for advancement.

What is the difference between Drywall Apprentice vs Drywall Installer?

AspectDrywall ApprenticeDrywall Installer
CredentialsOn-the-job training, minimal certificationsExperience, possibly some certifications or licenses
Work EnvironmentAssisting in installation, learning techniquesLeading drywall installation projects
Job RoleLearning and supporting installation tasksPerforming drywall installation independently

The main difference is that a Drywall Apprentice is in training, gaining skills under supervision, while a Drywall Installer is a trained professional responsible for executing drywall installation tasks independently.

Is drywall a good trade to get into?

Drywall apprenticeship is a viable trade career that involves installing and finishing drywall in construction projects. It requires physical work, attention to detail, and knowledge of tools like taping knives and drywall lifts; certifications or on-the-job training are common. The trade offers steady employment opportunities and potential for advancement in the construction industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Drywall jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Drywall jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Drywall Apprentice jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Drywall Apprentice jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drywall Apprentice jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Drywall Apprentice jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Drywall Apprentice jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Drywall Apprentice job openings:

Drywall Apprentice jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drywall Apprentice job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,983 per year, or $20.2 per hour.

Drywall Repair Tech / Finisher

PatchMaster Chicago North Shore

Northbrook, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Drywall Repair Tech / Finisher — $26–$36/hr — Northbrook, IL

Home every night. Paid weekly. Year-round work. No production quotas.

We fix drywall and plaster in people's homes on the North Shore — Winnetka, Glencoe, Northbrook, Wilmette, Highland Park, Evanston. Real repair work, not patch-and-run: flood cuts and water damage, ceilings opened up after a plumber's been through, cracked plaster, whole rooms that need to look like nothing ever happened. Most jobs run one to three days. Then we prime and paint so the homeowner can't find where the damage was.

This is not production drywall. You are not hanging 60 sheets a day in an empty subdivision. You're working alone or with one other person inside somebody's occupied home for a couple of days at a time, and the job is to make the repair disappear and leave the place cleaner than you found it.

What you'll actually do day to day

  • Work out of a stocked company van on one job at a time, usually one to three days each
  • Cut out damage, patch, tape, coat, sand, match the existing texture (knockdown, orange peel, smooth Level 5)
  • Prime and paint the repair so it blends
  • Set up and break down dust control — plastic, drops, HEPA vac
  • Talk to the homeowner: what you're doing, how long, what it'll look like
  • Photo the before and after, close the job out on your phone

What we pay

Repair Tech (solid finisher, works with a lead)$26–$30/hrLead Repair Tech (runs jobs solo, customer-facing, spots add-on work)$32–$36/hrHelper / Apprentice (we train you)$20–$24/hr

Plus:

  • Paid weekly, every Friday, direct deposit
  • $25 bonus every time a customer names you in a 5-star review
  • $500 referral bonus for every tech you bring us who sticks 6 months
  • $250/yr tool allowance after 90 days
  • Gas card, and all materials 
  • Pay review at 90 days and every year — we tell you exactly what moves you up

What we need from you

  • You can finish. Specifically: you can blend a patch into an existing wall so the light doesn't catch the edge. We'll test this — a paid, 90-minute hands-on tryout on a test wall before we make an offer.
  • You can match common residential textures, or you've done enough that you'll pick it up fast
  • 2+ years finishing or patching drywall (residential preferred). We care more about what you can do on the wall than the number of years.
  • Valid driver's license and a clean-enough record to drive a company van
  • You show up. On time. Every day. This is the one we won't bend on.
  • You can be trusted alone in a nice home — clean, respectful, no smoking on site, no phone on speaker
  • Enough English to greet a homeowner and explain the work.
  • Legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice to have, not required: painting experience, plaster experience, spray texture, Level 5 finishing, carpentry, your own hand tools.

Why guys come to us from production drywall

  • No 5 a.m. drive to a downtown high-rise, no parking nightmare, no elevator waits
  • No layoffs between jobs — residential repair doesn't stop
  • No foreman screaming about square footage
  • You're done between 3:30 and 4:30 most days
  • Your work is seen by the homeowner, and they thank you for it

How to apply — takes 2 minutes

Hit apply and answer 6 quick questions. No resume needed. Or just text 847-461-9770 with your name and "drywall" and we'll call you today.

We answer every applicant within one business day. If it's a fit, you'll be on a paid tryout within a week and have a yes-or-no answer the same day you finish it.

PatchMaster Chicago North Shore is an equal opportunity employer.

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