Hiring guide · Skilled Trades & Construction
How to Hire a Plasterer
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring plasterers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $57,660), recruit through registered apprenticeship programs and union halls, verify Plasterer apprenticeship where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for plasterers
There are about 22,900 plasterers employed in the U.S., with roughly 1,500 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +2.8% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $39,560–$47,970 | $19.02–$23.06 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $71,310 | $34.28 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $96,710 | $46.50 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- No formal educational credential (typical entry level)
- Mixing plaster
- Patience
Nice-to-haves
- Plasterer apprenticeship
- EIFS certification
- OSHA 10
- Experience with trowels
Where to find plasterers
- Registered apprenticeship programs and union halls
- Trade and technical school placement offices
- Pre-apprenticeship and veterans programs
- Referrals from current crew members
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Stucco Mason, Plastering Contractor, Veneer Plasterer, Ornamental Plasterer
Screening checklist
- Verify state licenses (apprentice registration, journeyworker, master) where required
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards and prior safety record
- Valid driver’s license and driving record if operating company vehicles
- A practical skills test or supervised trial task
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “What plaster work have you done?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “Do you know stucco systems?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
3. “Have you done restoration?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
4. “Can you work on scaffolds?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
5. “Why plastering?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Apply a Three-Coat Stucco System (see the steps)
- Patch Historic Plaster (see the steps)
- Trowel a Smooth Finish Coat (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Scratch coat, Brown coat, Finish coat
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Plasterer 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Plasterer training. Show them the path forward: Helper → Apprentice → Journeyman Plasterer → Contractor.
Hiring plasterers: FAQ
How much should I pay a plasterer?
The U.S. median wage for plasterers is $57,660 per year ($27.72/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($47,970), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($71,310). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a plasterer have?
BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Plasterer apprenticeship and EIFS certification where relevant, plus skills such as mixing plaster, troweling, and lath installation.
How long does it take to train a new plasterer?
Becoming qualified typically takes 2–4 year apprenticeship. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “long-term on-the-job training.”