Career comparison
Painter vs. Plasterer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Plasterers earn more at the median ($57,660 vs. $49,400), while painters usually get to work faster (1–6 months on the job of training). Painters prepare and paint walls, trim, buildings and structures for protection and a clean finish. Plasterers apply plaster and stucco to walls and ceilings for durable, decorative finishes.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Painter | Plasterer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,400 ($23.75/hr) | $57,660 ($27.72/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,440 – $78,810 | $39,560 – $96,710 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.0% (about as fast as average) | +2.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 24,900 | 1,500 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 1–6 months on the job | 2–4 year apprenticeship |
| Key credential | EPA RRP Certified Renovator | Plasterer apprenticeship |
| Work setting | Painters work indoors and outdoors in homes, offices, schools, factories and on bridges and tanks. | Plasterers work indoors and outdoors on homes and commercial buildings.. |
What each job does
Painter
- Protect floors, furniture and fixtures before work starts
- Wash, scrape, sand and patch surfaces
- Caulk gaps and apply primer
- Apply paint and coatings with brushes, rollers and sprayers
- Mix and match colors and finishes
Plasterer
- Prep surfaces
- Install lath
- Mix plaster
- Apply coats
- Finish textures
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, working outdoors, and creative work. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose painter if…
- I like making spaces look clean and finished
- I’m patient with careful prep work
- I’m comfortable on ladders
Choose plasterer if…
- I like craft work
- I’m patient
- I don’t mind heavy work
Still torn? Take the Painter fit quiz and the Plasterer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, painter or plasterer?
Plasterers earn more at the median: $57,660 versus $49,400 for painters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Painters typically train faster (1–6 months on the job) than plasterers (2–4 year apprenticeship).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects painters to grow +3.0% from 2025–35, compared with +2.8% for plasterers.