NAICS 238310 Quarterly Industry Report
Drywall and Insulation Contractors
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 238310Sector: Construction (23)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Drywall and Insulation Contractors (NAICS 238310) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[4], Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and SBA size standards database[5]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, interior finish trade analysts, and specialty construction investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Definition & Overview
Drywall and Insulation Contractors (NAICS 238310) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in drywall, plaster work, and building insulation work per the U.S. Census Bureau[3]. Work performed includes new construction, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. Activities include gypsum board hanging and finishing, acoustical ceiling tile and grid installation, drop ceiling construction, lath and plaster application, ornamental plaster work, firestop installation, spray-on fireproofing, and wall cavity, attic, and crawl space insulation installation.
Over 10,400 firms serve a market valued at roughly $57 billion growing at a 3.5% compound annual rate per Census Bureau[4] economic survey data. Commercial drywall and acoustical ceiling contractors perform large-scale interior construction on office buildings, hospitals, schools, and retail facilities. Residential drywall contractors hang and finish gypsum board in new homes and remodeling projects. Insulation contractors install fiberglass batts, blown cellulose, spray foam, and rigid board insulation in wall cavities, attics, and crawl spaces. Firestop contractors seal penetrations through fire-rated assemblies to maintain compartmentalization required by building and fire codes.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[5], the size standard is $19 million in average annual receipts. International Building Code (IBC) establishes fire-resistance rating requirements that govern the type and thickness of gypsum board assemblies and spray-on fireproofing applications. OSHA[6] construction safety standards under 29 CFR 1926 apply to all drywall and insulation work, with stilts safety, scaffold requirements, and respirable dust exposure from sanding joint compound representing key safety concerns. Building energy codes including ASHRAE 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) establish minimum insulation R-values that drive insulation contractor scope. National Insulation Association (NIA) provides technical resources and workforce development for the insulation trade.
What's Included in This Industry
- Gypsum board hanging and finishing
- Acoustical ceiling tile and grid system installation
- Drop ceiling and suspended ceiling construction
- Lath and plaster application (including ornamental)
- Spray-on fireproofing and firestop installation
- Fiberglass batt and blown insulation installation
- Spray foam insulation application
- Rigid board insulation installation
- Soundproofing and acoustic treatment
- Drywall repair and patching services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Construction | 23 |
| Subsector | Specialty Trade Contractors | 238 |
| Industry Group | Building Finishing Contractors | 2383 |
| NAICS Industry | Drywall And Insulation Contractors | 23831 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction manages projects where drywall and ceiling contractors represent major interior finish subcontract scopes, with commercial drywall and acoustical ceiling work spanning weeks to months on large office, hospital, and institutional building projects |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 11.8% | 2,390 |
| 2 | Florida | 8.9% | 1,791 |
| 3 | Texas | 5.7% | 1,156 |
| 4 | New York | 5.6% | 1,125 |
| 5 | Washington | 3.9% | 792 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 2.9% | 588 |
| 7 | Colorado | 2.8% | 566 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 2.8% | 565 |
| 9 | Virginia | 2.6% | 534 |
| 10 | Illinois | 2.6% | 532 |
% Of Establishments
0%
12%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[1]
SBA Lending Summary
1,792
Total SBA Loans
$612.7M
Total Loan Volume
$342K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.53%
Average Interest Rate
17,608
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[2]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[5], Drywall and Insulation Contractors (NAICS 238310) has a size standard of $19 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[8] support equipment purchases, scaffolding systems, and working capital for qualifying drywall and insulation contracting firms. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[9] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[10] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathward National Association | 24 | $62.0M | $2.6M |
| 2 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | 40 | $44.6M | $1.1M |
| 3 | Celtic Bank Corporation | 16 | $41.2M | $2.6M |
| 4 | Synovus Bank | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
| 5 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 24 | $37.9M | $1.6M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for drywall contractors?
NAICS 238310 covers drywall and insulation contractors performing gypsum board hanging and finishing, acoustical ceiling installation, plaster work, firestop, and building insulation per the U.S. Census Bureau[3].
What is the SBA size standard for drywall contractors?
The SBA size standard[5] is $19 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting programs and SBA lending products.
How large is the drywall and insulation market?
Over 10,400 firms serve a market valued at roughly $57 billion per Census Bureau[4] economic survey data, with commercial drywall and acoustical ceiling work generating the highest per-project revenues and residential drywall providing high-volume installation work.
What building codes govern drywall installation?
International Building Code (IBC) establishes fire-resistance rating requirements that specify gypsum board type, number of layers, and fastening patterns for fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies, with UL design listings providing tested assembly configurations that contractors must replicate exactly.
What energy codes drive insulation installation?
ASHRAE 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) establish minimum insulation R-values for walls, ceilings, and floors per climate zone, with building energy code compliance requiring specific insulation types and thicknesses that insulation contractors install to meet thermal performance targets.
What is firestop installation?
Firestop contractors seal penetrations through fire-rated walls and floors to maintain compartmentalization per building code requirements, with tested firestop systems using sealants, pillows, wraps, and devices to prevent fire and smoke spread through openings where pipes, ducts, and cables pass through rated assemblies.
What safety hazards exist in drywall work?
OSHA[6] safety standards address stilts safety, scaffold requirements, and respirable dust from sanding joint compound under 29 CFR 1926, with silica exposure from cutting gypsum board and dust inhalation from sanding operations requiring dust control measures and respiratory protection.
What is acoustical ceiling installation?
Acoustical ceiling contractors install suspended grid systems and lay-in ceiling tiles or panels that provide sound absorption, light reflection, and access to above-ceiling mechanical and electrical systems per architectural specifications, with grid systems supporting tiles rated for noise reduction, fire resistance, and humidity performance.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [2]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [4]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [5]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [6]OSHA osha.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]504 loans sba.gov
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