Basic
$1.30 – $3.03 per sq ft
1/2 in. regular drywall screwed per code, paper tape, all-purpose compound, metal corner bead, Level 4 sanded

Hang, tape, mud and sand 1/2 in. drywall (gypsum wallboard) to a Level 4 paint-ready finish, materials and labor, per square foot of wall/ceiling surface.
Install Wallboard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania typically costs $1.53 to $3.57 per sq ft as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Prices in Philadelphia are 4.0% higher than the national average for install wallboard.
National average: $1.50 – $3.50 per sq ft
$1.30 – $3.03 per sq ft
1/2 in. regular drywall screwed per code, paper tape, all-purpose compound, metal corner bead, Level 4 sanded
$1.53 – $3.57 per sq ft
1/2 in. lightweight drywall in long sheets to cut butt joints, paper tape, paper-faced corner bead, Level 4 sanded
$1.91 – $4.46 per sq ft
1/2 in. drywall with sag-resistant ceiling board and moisture-resistant board in wet areas, paper-faced bead, Level 4
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $0.66 – $1.52 | sq ft |
| Labor | labor | $0.58 – $1.35 | sq ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $0.17 – $0.41 | sq ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $0.12 – $0.28 | sq ft |
Drywall sheets with joint tape, mud knives and a utility knife
Photo: Timothyjosephwood · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisClose-up of drywall boards joined at a tapered seam with a screw
Photo: Panamitsu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisTextured drywall ceiling finish in close-up
Photo: Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) This image was made by Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) . Email the author: David R. Tribble Also see my personal gallery at Google Photos · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisLabor costs in Philadelphia run proportionally higher than materials, which may favor material-heavy solutions.
Connect with local install wallboard contractors in Philadelphia for personalized quotes based on your specific project.