What Does a Plasterer Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a plasterer do?

Plasterers and stucco masons apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco or similar materials, and may also set ornamental plaster. The median pay is $57,660 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2–4 year apprenticeship, and employment is projected to grow +2.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$57,660
$27.72/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+2.8%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
1,500
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
BLS classification
Time to train
2–4 year apprenticeship
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
22,900
Employment, 2025

What plasterers do

Plasterers create smooth and decorative surfaces. They apply interior veneer plaster, exterior stucco and EIFS, restore historic plaster, run ornamental moldings and finish surfaces with textures.

No formal education is required, and training is long; apprenticeships are common. BLS projects about average growth.

Typical duties

Prep surfaces
Install lath
Mix plaster
Apply coats
Finish textures
Apply stucco
Restore plaster

Work environment and schedule

Plasterers work indoors and outdoors on homes and commercial buildings.

Schedule: Full time.

A day in the life

7:00 AMSet up scaffolding.
7:30 AMInstall lath.
9:00 AMMix the scratch coat.
10:00 AMApply the scratch coat.

See a full day in the life of a plasterer →

Plasterer salary

Half of plasterers earned more than $57,660 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $39,560 for the lowest 10% to $96,710 for the top 10%.

$39,56010th$57,660Median$96,71090th

Full plasterer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a plasterer

Work as a helper
Join an apprenticeship
Learn coats and finishes
Become a journeyman
Specialize

No formal educational credential is required; apprenticeships are common.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a plasterer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Mixing plaster
Troweling
Lath installation
Stucco systems
Texture finishes

People skills

Patience
Craftsmanship
Stamina
Teamwork

All plasterer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Craft skill
Historic restoration niche
Average growth
Can be self-employed

Cons

Heavy materials
Overhead work
Weather for stucco
Dust

Certifications and licenses

Plasterer apprenticeship: Union.
EIFS certification: Manufacturer.
OSHA 10: Safety.
Scaffold training: Required.

Career path

Helper: Entry.
Apprentice: Training.
Journeyman Plasterer: Skilled.
Contractor: Business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Plasterer training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as apply a three-coat stucco system and patch historic plaster, safety and how to land your first job.

View Plasterer training Is this career right for me?

Drywall Taper

Tape, mud and sand drywall joints to make walls smooth and ready for paint.

$68,270
Months on the job

Stonemason

Build and repair walls, buildings and features with natural and cut stone.

$57,390
3–4 year apprenticeship

Painter

Prepare and paint walls, trim, buildings and structures for protection and a clean finish.

$49,400
1–6 months on the job

Concrete Finisher

Place, level and finish concrete for slabs, floors, sidewalks and roads.

$57,020
3–12 months on the job

Compare: Plasterer vs. Drywall Taper · Plasterer vs. Stonemason · Plasterer vs. Painter · Plasterer vs. Concrete Finisher

Plasterer FAQ

Do I need an apprenticeship?

It’s the common path.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects about average growth.

Is restoration work available?

Yes, historic buildings need plasterers.

How much does a plasterer make?

The median annual wage for plasterers was $57,660 ($27.72 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,560 and the highest 10% earned more than $96,710.

How long does it take to become a plasterer?

Most people need about 2–4 year apprenticeship of training. No formal educational credential is required; apprenticeships are common.

Do you need a degree to be a plasterer?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-2161 (Plasterers and stucco masons).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Plasterers and stucco masons (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Plasterer