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
$56,020
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
$38,610
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,990
25th percentile
Median
$56,020
50th percentile
Experienced
$72,210
75th percentile
Top Earners
$92,930
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,610
25th
$46,990
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$56,020
Mean: $61,000
75th
$72,210
90th
$92,930
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $54,320 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,990 and $72,210
- •Salary spread is 45.0% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 20,880 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
Construction93.8%
Specialty Trade Contractors89.2%
Building Finishing Contractors55.2%
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 32 locations
California
8,370 jobs$60,3703.42x
Florida
2,170 jobs$47,4801.63x
Arizona
1,570 jobs$55,2603.63x
Nevada
1,230 jobs$49,7505.93x
Utah
1,200 jobs$53,1705.16x
New York
830 jobs$73,9400.64x
Texas
780 jobs$46,5000.42x
Colorado
690 jobs$52,0101.75x
Missouri
550 jobs$74,5601.40x
New Mexico
350 jobs$47,2103.01x
Washington
330 jobs$59,4100.70x
Illinois
320 jobs$83,0200.39x
Pennsylvania
230 jobs$62,4700.29x
Michigan
230 jobs$61,6100.38x
Ohio
170 jobs$63,3100.23x
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 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Quality Control Analysis
100%
#2
Time Management
70%
#3
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Quality Control Analysis
advanced5.0
100%
Time Management
intermediate3.5
70%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
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
Time Management
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
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
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
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
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