Drywall screws feature a bugle head that seats flush without tearing the paper face. Coarse-thread screws are used for wood studs, while fine-thread screws grip steel studs without stripping.
Unit Price
$12.00
per box (1,000 ct)
Labor Cost
$0.01
per box (1,000 ct)
Durability
50
years lifespan
Sustainability
4/5
Good
Category: Fasteners
Range: $8.00 – $20.00/box (1,000 ct)
Waste Factor: 5%
Avg Project: $50
Quick answer: Drywall Screws cost in 2026
Drywall Screws costs about $12.00 per box (1,000 ct) (typical range $8.00–$20.00) plus roughly $0.01 per box (1,000 ct) for installation labor, or about $12.01 per box (1,000 ct) installed. Order 5% extra for waste: 500 box (1,000 ct)s becomes 525 box (1,000 ct)s, about $6,300 in material and $6,305 installed. HammerIO planning estimates, a national baseline adjusted by regional factors on city and state pages.
Labor is priced by carpenters: the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage is $29.12/hr nationally, $35.72 in New York and $23.44 in Dallas. Last reviewed .
Estimate Drywall Screws Cost Before You Order or Compare Bids
Step 1
Price Drywall Screws by the right unit
Start with the measured quantity in box (1,000 ct)s, then compare the current unit range of $8.00 to $20.00 per box (1,000 ct).
Step 2
Add waste, labor, and install accessories
Apply the default 5% waste factor, then include labor, fasteners, trim, adhesives, delivery, rental tools, and other project-specific accessories.
Step 3
Use the result to check written bids
Compare the calculator result against supplier units and contractor line items, then verify code, permit, and site-condition assumptions before ordering.
Contractor Takeoff Notes
How to Budget Drywall Screws Without Missing Hidden Costs
Drywall Screws should be budgeted as a complete installed assembly, not only as a commodity unit price. Quantity, waste, labor, local supply, code requirements, and the accessories needed for installation drive the final project cost.
$1,261
sample total for 105 box (1,000 ct)s
Price drivers
+Unit price ranges from $8.00 to $20.00 per box (1,000 ct), with $12.00 as the national midpoint used in this calculator.
+Labor is modeled at $0.01 per box (1,000 ct), but local contractor rates and project access can move that number sharply.
+The default 5% waste factor covers typical cuts and field losses; complex layouts need a larger buffer.
Ordering checks
+Measure the installed quantity in box (1,000 ct)s before adding waste or accessories.
+Confirm grade, thickness, profile, warranty, and code requirements before comparing quotes.
Order quantity: 105 box (1,000 ct)s (100 + 5% waste)
Material Cost
$1,260
incl. $60 waste buffer
Labor Cost
$1
Total Estimated Cost
$1,261
Based on 105 box (1,000 ct)s at $12.00/box (1,000 ct) + $0.01/box (1,000 ct) labor. Actual costs vary by location and supplier.
Specifications
Size#6 x 1-1/4" (1/2" drywall)
ThreadCoarse (wood) or fine (metal)
HeadBugle head
DrivePhillips #2
Best Uses
Drywall installation
Drywall to wood studs
Drywall to steel studs
Backer board attachment
Material Details
Average Project Cost
$50
Typical project using this material
Sustainability Rating
Good, eco-friendly choice
Waste Factor
5%
Order 5% extra to account for cuts, breakage, and fitting
Drywall Screws: Complete Buying Guide 2026
Drywall screws feature a bugle head that seats flush without tearing the paper face. Coarse-thread screws are used for wood studs, while fine-thread screws grip steel studs without stripping. In 2026, drywall screws prices average $12.00 per box (1,000 ct), with a typical range of $8.00 to $20.00 depending on your region, supplier relationships, and order quantity.
When budgeting for a project using drywall screws, factor in approximately 5% additional material for waste, plus labor costs averaging $0.01 per box (1,000 ct) for professional installation. A typical project using this material runs approximately $50 including both materials and labor.
With an expected lifespan of 50 years, drywall screws represents a cost of approximately $0.24 per box (1,000 ct) per year of service life. This exceptional longevity makes it one of the most cost-effective materials when measured over its full lifespan.
For searchers comparing bids, the key number is not only the shelf price. The installed cost for drywall screws depends on accessory materials, waste, job access, minimum order size, delivery, regional labor rates, and whether the project needs permit or code-driven upgrades. This page combines the HammerIO material database with 2026 cost modeling, contractor takeoff assumptions, and public construction cost references.
Computed from this page's planning figures: material = quantity × (1 + 5% waste) × unit price; labor = quantity × $0.01 per box (1,000 ct). Delivery, fasteners, adhesives, rental tools and permits are extra.
Quantity needed
Order (+5% waste)
Material (low – typical – high)
Labor allowance
Installed (typical)
100 box (1,000 ct)s
105 box (1,000 ct)s
$840 – $1,260 – $2,100
$1
$1,261
500 box (1,000 ct)s
525 box (1,000 ct)s
$4,200 – $6,300 – $10,500
$5
$6,305
1,000 box (1,000 ct)s
1,050 box (1,000 ct)s
$8,400 – $12,600 – $21,000
$10
$12,610
HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline adjusted by regional factors). Verify permit requirements with your local building department.
Who Installs Drywall Screws: Carpenters Wages in the 10 Largest Metros
The $0.01 per box (1,000 ct) labor allowance is a national figure. To localize it, compare your metro's median wage for carpenters with the U.S. median below and scale the allowance by the same ratio.
Carpenters: median hourly wage, 10 largest U.S. metros vs. national (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Metro area
Median wage
vs. U.S. median
United States
$29.12/hr
baseline
New York, NY-NJ
$35.72/hr
+23%
Los Angeles, CA
$36.41/hr
+25%
Chicago, IL-IN
$38.68/hr
+33%
Dallas, TX
$23.44/hr
-20%
Houston, TX
$23.88/hr
-18%
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
$29.23/hr
at U.S. median
Miami, FL
$24.79/hr
-15%
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
$29.70/hr
+2%
Atlanta, GA
$24.37/hr
-16%
Phoenix, AZ
$29.00/hr
at U.S. median
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), median hourly wages. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates, a contractor's quoted hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit on top of the wage. “, ” means BLS did not publish a metro estimate for that occupation. Occupation: Carpenters (SOC 47-2031).
Chicago, IL-IN carpenters earn a median $38.68/hr (+33% vs. the $29.12 U.S. median) while Dallas, TX is $23.44/hr (-20%). For a 500-box (1,000 ct) job that moves the $5 national labor allowance to roughly $4 in Dallas, TX and $7 in Chicago, IL-IN, before contractor overhead and profit. See the state construction cost pages for statewide figures.
Methodology & Data Sources: Drywall Screws Cost Data
How we calculate Drywall Screws costs: Our pricing model combines the HammerIO material database (planning estimates, a national baseline adjusted by regional factors on city and state pages), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2025 trade wages for the labor allowance, EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing guidance for sustainability ratings, DOE Building Technologies Office benchmarks for energy-related materials, and contractor takeoff assumptions. Unit prices are reviewed quarterly and cross-checked against common supplier ranges where available.
Unit price ($12.00/box (1,000 ct)): National midpoint estimate for mid-market grade materials sourced through standard supply channels.
Average project cost ($50): Derived from material quantity, labor allowance, waste, and typical residential/light commercial installation assumptions.
Waste factor (5%): Per NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) construction waste estimation guidelines, accounting for cuts, breakage, and field adjustments.
Durability (50 years): HammerIO planning estimate based on typical manufacturer warranty periods and expected service life for the material class under normal residential use.
Sustainability rating (4/5): Composite score from EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing criteria, including embodied carbon, recyclability, and VOC emissions per LEED v4.1 thresholds.
Disclaimer: Construction material prices vary significantly by region, supplier, project volume, and market conditions. The figures shown represent national averages and should be used for budgeting and comparison purposes only. Always obtain local contractor quotes before committing to a project budget.
Reviewed by Rowan Ashby · Last updated September 17, 2026 · Pricing sourced from the HammerIO 2026 material database (planning estimates), BLS OEWS May 2025 trade wages, public agency guidance, and contractor takeoff assumptions
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Drywall Screws costs an average of $12.00 per box (1,000 ct) in 2026. Prices range from $8.00 to $20.00 per box (1,000 ct) depending on your location, supplier, and quantity purchased. A typical project using drywall screws costs approximately $50.
How long does drywall screws last?
Drywall Screws has an expected lifespan of approximately 50 years when properly installed and maintained. Actual durability depends on climate exposure, installation quality, and maintenance practices. This is considered a very long-lasting material that often outlasts the building itself.
What is drywall screws used for?
Drywall Screws is commonly used for Drywall installation, Drywall to wood studs, Drywall to steel studs, Backer board attachment. It falls in the Fasteners category of construction materials. Drywall screws feature a bugle head that seats flush without tearing the paper face. Coarse-thread screws are used for wood studs, while fine-thread screws grip steel studs without stripping.
How much waste should I plan for with drywall screws?
Plan for approximately 5% waste when ordering drywall screws. For a project requiring 100 box (1,000 ct)s of material, you should order 105 box (1,000 ct)s to account for cuts, breakage, and fitting. Waste factors vary by project complexity and installer experience.
What are alternatives to drywall screws?
There are limited direct alternatives to Drywall Screws. It is a specialized material in the Fasteners category. Consult with a contractor for suitable substitutions based on your specific project requirements.
Is drywall screws sustainable?
Drywall Screws has a sustainability rating of 4 out of 5 (Good). This material is considered an environmentally responsible choice due to its recyclability, renewable sourcing, or minimal environmental impact.
How much does 500 box (1,000 ct)s of drywall screws cost installed?
Ordering 500 box (1,000 ct)s with the 5% waste factor means buying 525 box (1,000 ct)s: about $6,300 in material at the $12.00 planning price (range $4,200–$10,500), plus roughly $5 in installation labor at the $0.01 per box (1,000 ct) allowance, about $6,305 total before delivery, fasteners, adhesives and permits. These are HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline); regional factors and supplier quotes move the final number.
Who installs drywall screws and what do they earn per hour in 2026?
Drywall Screws is typically installed by carpenters. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025) reports a national median wage of $29.12 per hour for Carpenters, ranging from $23.44 in Dallas, TX to $38.68 in Chicago, IL-IN among the ten largest metros. Contractor billing rates run higher than the wage because they include overhead, insurance, equipment and profit, so use the metro-to-national ratio, not the wage itself, to adjust the labor allowance on this page.