Construction and extraction
Plasterers and stucco masons
Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster.
Median pay
$57,660
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
1,500
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Plasterers and stucco masons
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Plasterers and stucco masons: 3% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Cover surfaces such as windows, doors, or sidewalks to protect from splashing.
- Apply coats of plaster or stucco to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using trowels, brushes, or spray guns.
- Clean and prepare surfaces for applications of plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials, such as by drywall taping.
- Create decorative textures in finish coat, using brushes or trowels, sand, pebbles, or stones.
- Mix mortar and plaster to desired consistency or direct workers who perform mixing.
- Clean job sites.
Also called: Applicator · Ornamental Plasterer · Plaster Applicator · Plaster Mechanic · Plasterer · Plasterer Journeyman · Plasterer Mechanic · Plastering Contractor
Outlook and AI
Plasterers and stucco masons held 22,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 23,600 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Plasterers and stucco masons vs. Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
- Plasterers and stucco masons vs. Drywall and ceiling tile installers
- Plasterers and stucco masons vs. Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters
- Plasterers and stucco masons vs. Roofer
- Plasterers and stucco masons vs. Painters, construction and maintenance
- Plasterers and stucco masons vs. Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall
- Plasterers and stucco masons vs. Tile and stone setters
- Plasterers and stucco masons vs. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Plasterers and stucco masons vs. Cement masons and concrete finishers
- Plasterers and stucco masons vs. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles