Estimated local cost for drywall installation in Salt Lake City, UT, based on regional cost-of-living data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Answer: The estimated cost of drywall installation in Salt Lake City, UT is $1,000 – $4,050 ($1.50 – $3.00 per square foot). Average: $2,025.Salt Lake City, UT is 1% above national average.
Source: ClearCost national data adjusted by BEA Regional Price Parity for Salt Lake City, UT — updated April 2026
Salt Lake City, UT
$2,025
Estimated range: $1,000 – $4,050
$1.50 – $3.00 per square foot
National Average
$2,000
Range: $1,000 – $4,000
Salt Lake City, UT is 1% above national average based on BEA RPP data.
About these estimates: These prices are derived from our national pricing data adjusted for Salt Lake City, UT's cost of living (BEA Regional Price Parity: 101.2). Actual costs vary based on specific project requirements, contractor availability, and local material sourcing. See the national cost guide for full details.
Drywall installation is one of the most common interior construction tasks, whether you are finishing a new addition, renovating a basement, or repairing water damage. The national average cost for drywall installation in 2026 is approximately $2,000, with most projects running between $1,000 and $4,000 depending on the area covered and the level of finish required. The per-square-foot cost of $1.50–$3.00 includes hanging, taping, mudding, and sanding — but not painting.
Standard 1/2-inch drywall is used for most walls and ceilings. Thicker 5/8-inch panels are required by code for garage walls (fire-rated Type X) and are recommended for ceilings to reduce sag. Moisture-resistant (green board) and mold-resistant (purple board) panels are essential for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. Soundproof drywall is a newer specialty product that can reduce noise transmission between rooms by up to 50%.
Drywall finishing is rated on a scale of 0 to 5, with Level 0 being unfinished and Level 5 being the smoothest possible surface. Most residential installations use Level 4 finishing, which includes three coats of joint compound, sanding, and a skim coat over fastener heads. Level 5 adds a full skim coat over the entire surface and is recommended for areas with critical lighting (like hallways with side-lit windows) where even minor imperfections show through paint.
Ceiling drywall costs 15–30% more than wall installation due to the difficulty of working overhead and the need for heavier (5/8-inch) panels to prevent sagging. High ceilings, cathedral ceilings, and stairwells require scaffolding and additional labor time. Curved walls, arches, and soffits are specialty applications that can cost $3–$6 per square foot due to the need for flexible drywall and skilled forming techniques.
Labor accounts for approximately 65–75% of a drywall project. This includes hanging panels, taping joints, applying multiple coats of joint compound (mud), and sanding to a smooth finish. A two-person crew can hang about 50–75 sheets per day on walls, with ceiling work being significantly slower. Taping and finishing take an additional 2–3 days of work for a typical room because each mud coat must dry 24 hours before the next is applied.
Hanging takes 1–2 days for a typical room or addition. Taping and finishing takes 3–5 days due to drying time between coats. Total time from start to paint-ready is typically 5–7 days for a single room or 1–2 weeks for larger projects.
A single room can be hung in a day, but taping and finishing takes 3–5 additional days due to drying time between mud coats. A full basement or small addition typically takes 1–2 weeks from start to paint-ready. Plan for at least 4–5 days of work for most residential projects.
Drywall is faster and far less expensive — it is the standard for virtually all new construction and renovations. Plaster offers superior sound dampening and a harder surface, but costs 3–5 times more and requires highly skilled tradespeople. Most homeowners choose drywall unless they are restoring a historic home.
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