Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster.
Plasterers and Stucco Masons
SOC: 47-2161 O*NET: 47-2161.00
Median Salary
$57,660
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.1%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster.
What does a Plasterers and Stucco Masons do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$39,560
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,970
25th percentile
Median
$57,660
50th percentile
Experienced
$71,310
75th percentile
Top Earners
$96,710
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$39,560
25th
$47,970
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$57,660
Mean: $62,050
75th
$71,310
90th
$96,710
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $57,150 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,970 and $71,310
- •Salary spread is 40.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 19,310 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:24,200
Top Industries
Construction95%
Specialty Trade Contractors88%
Building Finishing Contractors53.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.1%
Annual Openings:1,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)24,200
Current
2034 (Projected)25,200
+4.1%
+1,000
Employment Change
+4.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Plasterers and Stucco Masons professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 29 locations
California
6,780 jobs$59,9403.00x
Florida
1,970 jobs$47,4201.60x
Arizona
1,910 jobs$49,5104.76x
Texas
1,400 jobs$51,1400.80x
Nevada
1,150 jobs$53,6105.95x
Utah
820 jobs$53,7103.81x
Colorado
480 jobs$47,5701.35x
New Mexico
460 jobs$45,3504.28x
Washington
440 jobs$51,8400.99x
Missouri
420 jobs$79,3801.15x
Illinois
270 jobs$93,7900.36x
Massachusetts
260 jobs$00.58x
Michigan
210 jobs$72,9900.39x
Pennsylvania
180 jobs$70,0300.24x
Ohio
180 jobs$62,2000.25x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Quality Control Analysis
100%
#2
Building and Construction
100%
#3
Near Vision
100%
#4
Manual Dexterity
92%
#5
Administration and Management
86%
#6
Arm-Hand Steadiness
82%
#7
Trunk Strength
74%
#8
Time Management
70%
#9
Design
70%
#10
Extent Flexibility
66%
Skills Overview
Quality Control Analysis
advanced5.0
100%
Building and Construction
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced5.0
100%
Manual Dexterity
advanced4.6
92%
Administration and Management
intermediate4.3
86%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediate4.1
82%
Trunk Strength
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.5
70%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Quality Control Analysis
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Building and Construction
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Manual Dexterity
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Administration and Management
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Trunk Strength
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Design
intermediateImportance70%
knowledge
3.5/5.0
Extent Flexibility
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Gross Body Equilibrium
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
English Language
basicImportance56%
knowledge
2.8/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Food Preparation Workers50%
2 shared skills
Painters, Construction and Maintenance50%
2 shared skills
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers40%
2 shared skills
Brickmasons and Blockmasons38%
3 shared skills
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders38%
3 shared skills
Automotive Body and Related Repairers33%
3 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Building and Construction
- ✓Administration and Management
Learn on the Job:
- →English Language
- →Extent Flexibility
- →Gross Body Equilibrium
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Building and Construction
- ✓Administration and Management
- ✓Near Vision
- ✓Manual Dexterity
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Building and Construction
- ★Near Vision
- ★Manual Dexterity
- ★Arm-Hand Steadiness
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Salesforce software
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechLinux
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Salesforce software
Oracle Database
Microsoft Office software
Linux
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Apply coats of plaster or stucco to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using trowels, brushes, or spray guns.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Mix mortar and plaster to desired consistency or direct workers who perform mixing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision97% perform98%
3
Create decorative textures in finish coat, using brushes or trowels, sand, pebbles, or stones.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Apply insulation to building exteriors by installing prefabricated insulation systems over existing walls or by covering the outer wall with insulation board, reinforcing mesh, and a base coat.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Cure freshly plastered surfaces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Clean and prepare surfaces for applications of plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials, such as by drywall taping.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Rough the undercoat surface with a scratcher so the finish coat will adhere.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Apply weatherproof, decorative coverings to exterior surfaces of buildings, such as by troweling or spraying on coats of stucco.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Install guide wires on exterior surfaces of buildings to indicate thickness of plaster or stucco and nail wire mesh, lath, or similar materials to the outside surface to hold stucco in place.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Spray acoustic materials or texture finish over walls or ceilings.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Plasterers and Stucco Masons
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Plasterers and Stucco Masons professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.28
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.04
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.71
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.70
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.63
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.51
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.0
Integrity
3.7
Self-Control
3.7
Cooperation
3.6
Initiative
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Plasterers and Stucco Masons.
Browse Training Programs →The Apprenticeship Route: Earn While You Learn
You don't necessarily need to pay for school to enter this field. There are 61 registered apprenticeship sponsors for this occupation in the U.S. DOL system — including 49 union/joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one, typically starting at 40–50% of the journeyman rate, and finish with no tuition debt.
Most sponsors: OH (11) , IL (7) , PA (5) , CA (3) , MI (3)
How apprenticeships work →Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov)
Trade Colleges That Train for Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
1.6k program completions/year
Apex Technical School
Long Island City, NY
788 program completions/year
American River College
Sacramento, CA
774 program completions/year
J F Ingram State Technical College
Deatsville, AL
645 program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
631 program completions/year
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, KY
612 program completions/year
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL
596 program completions/year
Lincoln Technical Institute-Union
Union, NJ
573 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
559 program completions/year
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY
556 program completions/year
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL
535 program completions/year
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, KY
494 program completions/year