🔧 Skilled Trades ↑ 5% growth · Average

Plasterer & Stucco Mason

Plasterers apply plaster, stucco, and EIFS (exterior insulation systems) to walls, ceilings, and exteriors — providing fire-resistant, soundproofing, and decorative finishes used in both residential and commercial construction. Stucco work on high-end homes and commercial buildings keeps this specialty in consistent demand.

$50,150 Median Salary

39K US Jobs

3–4 years Training

$0 (earn while you learn) Typical Cost

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💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Plasterers and stucco masons typically earn $25–$50 per hour, or $52,000–$104,000 annually. Union plasterers on commercial projects through OPCMIA earn $35–$60 per hour with full benefits. Venetian plaster and decorative finish specialists command $75–$150 per hour for specialty decorative work. Historic preservation plasterers with ornamental restoration expertise earn premium project rates. Independent plasterer contractors who build strong residential clientele earn $80,000–$150,000 based on volume and specialty. Geographic market affects wages — coastal urban markets pay above the national median.

Entry Level

$35,000

Median

$50,150

Experienced

$72,000

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📈 Job Outlook

Projected Growth (10yr)

Average

39K

Total US Jobs

Active positions nationwide

Union Apprenticeship

Required Credential

Union Apprenticeship (OPCMIA) or state contractor license

Plasterers and stucco masons apply plaster, stucco, and decorative finishes to interior and exterior walls, ceilings, and ornamental surfaces in residential, commercial, and historic preservation work. The BLS projects average employment growth for plasterers and stucco masons. Decorative plaster — Venetian plaster, molded ornamental plaster, and architectural stucco — commands premium project rates and is in demand for high-end residential and hospitality renovation. Historic preservation work — restoring ornate plaster ceilings and moldings in courthouses, theaters, and historic buildings — requires specialized skills with strong premium compensation. Union plasterers through Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association earn excellent wages on commercial projects.

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program

Apprenticeship or vocational program

Program Length

3–4 years

Typical Tuition

$0 (earn while you learn)

Work Setting

Residential construction, commercial buildings, historic restoration

Plasterer apprenticeships through OPCMIA typically run three to four years, combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction in plaster chemistry, application techniques, ornamental plaster casting, and stucco systems. Non-union plasterers often learn through employer on-the-job training and specialty finishing workshops. Venetian plaster and decorative finish training is offered through manufacturer certification programs — Marmorino, Grassello, and EIFS training credentials demonstrate specialty competency. OSHA construction safety training is required for commercial plastering work. Scaffold and aerial lift certifications are required for ceiling work and exterior stucco projects.

🏆 Credential Required: Union Apprenticeship (OPCMIA) or state contractor license

☀️ Day in the Life

A Plasterer begins a commercial renovation project by reviewing the day's work area — three office suites need existing plaster patching before painting, and a lobby wall needs a full brown coat and finish coat application. For the patching work, they cut back damaged areas to solid plaster, undercut the edges to create a mechanical key, apply bonding agent, and scratch in a basecoat using a hawk and trowel. After allowing the basecoat to firm, they apply the finish coat — a lime putty and gauging plaster mix — and work it with a steel trowel to achieve a smooth, feather-edge finish that blends invisibly with the surrounding wall. The lobby project requires a three-coat system — a scratch coat over metal lath, a brown coat, and a finish coat — all applied and finished to a smooth, flat surface ready for the architect's review. When a client requests Venetian plaster as a decorative finish, they demonstrate the burnished technique — applying thin translucent layers and polishing with a steel trowel to create the distinctive depth and sheen.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Pros

Decorative plaster specialty commands exceptional rates: Venetian plaster, ornamental restoration, and architectural stucco specialists charge $75–$150/hour — premium compensation for skilled artisanal work.
Historic preservation creates unique, meaningful project work: Restoring ornate plaster in century-old theaters, courthouses, and institutions is some of the most satisfying craft work in the trades.
Union plasterer wages and benefits are excellent: OPCMIA commercial plasterers earn top-tier wages with comprehensive health and pension benefits.
Low material cost allows independent contractor profitability: Plaster and tools represent modest material cost — experienced plasterer contractors earn strong margins on residential specialty work.
Highly specialized craft with limited qualified competition: The number of qualified ornamental and decorative plaster specialists is small — limited competition enables strong market positioning.

Cons

Physical demands of overhead and wall work throughout the day: Applying and floating plaster — sustained overhead work, troweling large wall areas — creates significant shoulder, back, and wrist strain.
Dusty, messy work environment: Plaster mixing, sanding, and application creates significant dust — respiratory protection and protective clothing are daily requirements.
Smaller trade workforce with geographic concentration: Plasterer employment is concentrated in urban markets where historic renovation and high-end residential work creates demand — limited opportunities in smaller markets.
Timing-sensitive work requiring experience and judgment: Plaster application requires precise timing in each stage — coating before the previous layer reaches the correct set creates irreversible finish problems.