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Plasterers and Stucco Masons

Typical education: High school diplomaLower pressure

What they do

Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $57,660 Median per year · $27.72/hr Most earn $39,560–$96,710

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Cover surfaces such as windows, doors, or sidewalks to protect from splashing.
  • Cure freshly plastered surfaces.
  • Spray acoustic materials or texture finish over walls or ceilings.
  • Mold or install ornamental plaster pieces, panels, or trim.
  • Clean and prepare surfaces for applications of plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials, such as by drywall taping.
  • Set up scaffolds.

Job outlook

United States
3% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 1,500 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Drywall and insulation contractors42.9%
  • Masonry contractors17.4%
  • Self-employed (their own business)16.8%
  • Other specialty trade contractors9.7%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 3 to 6 months

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 3 to 6 monthsEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. You can start with a high school diploma, and most people spend a few months on the job learning the trade before they work on their own.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish school and take shop, drafting, or math classes that build hands-on and measuring skills used on job sites.

  2. Plasterer Helper

    3-6 months

    Mix plaster and stucco, clean up, carry materials, and watch experienced plasterers apply coats, which teaches you the basics of the trade.

  3. Plasterers and Stucco Masons

    3-6 months of experience before starting this job

    Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials, and sometimes set ornamental plaster.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Plasterer

    3-5 years of experience first

    You run a small crew, plan the work, check quality, and handle the tricky finish jobs, which takes strong skill and reliability.

  2. Plastering Foreman

    5+ years of experience first

    You supervise several crews and schedules on bigger projects, and you need good communication and leadership as well as craft skill.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, drafting, or construction classesThese teach tool safety, reading plans, and basic building methods that carry directly into plastering work.
  • Take math classes, especially geometryMeasuring walls, figuring out areas, and checking level surfaces all rely on geometry and careful measurement.
  • Get a summer or after-school job in construction, landscaping, or paintingAny job on a work site teaches you to follow directions, work with a crew, and handle physical labor.
  • Volunteer on a home repair or community building projectHelping with drywall, painting, or patching walls gives you hands-on practice and a sense of whether you enjoy this kind of work.
  • Join a skills club or trade-related student organizationMany schools have groups focused on building trades that offer hands-on projects and connections to local employers.

In college

  • Take courses in construction technology or building tradesClasses on materials, building codes, and job-site safety give you a foundation for working as a plasterer or moving into supervision later.
  • Work a summer job with a contractor or on a construction crewReal site experience shows you how plastering crews operate and can lead to an apprenticeship or helper job.
  • Pursue a certificate or training in plastering or drywall finishing, if your school or local trade program offers oneA short certificate can show employers you understand the materials and methods before you start on the job.
  • Get workplace safety training, such as OSHA-style construction safety coursesSafety training is valued by contractors and can make you a stronger candidate for crew jobs.
  • Join a trades or construction student groupConnecting with students and instructors in the building trades can open doors to internships and job leads.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask local plastering or drywall contractors if they hire helpers or take on apprentices. Showing up on time and asking good questions often matters more than prior experience.
  • Get comfortable with basic math and measuring, since plaster mixes, wall areas, and levels all depend on accurate numbers.
  • Keep physical fitness in mind. The work involves standing, lifting buckets and bags, and reaching overhead, so building strength and stamina now helps.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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