Career Overview
Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster.
Also Known As
- Plaster Applicator
- Plaster Mechanic
- Plasterer
- Plasterer Journeyman
Alternate Job Titles
- Applicator
- Artisan
- Artisan Plasterer
- Decorative Plasterer
- Dry Plasterer
- Hard Surface Plasterer
- Mason
- Mason Plasterer
- Modeler
- Molding Plasterer
- Ornamental Plasterer
- Plaster and Stucco Worker
- Plaster Applicator
- Plaster Mechanic
- Plaster Molder
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Cover surfaces such as windows, doors, or sidewalks to protect from splashing.
- Clean job sites.
- Mix mortar and plaster to desired consistency or direct workers who perform mixing.
- Apply coats of plaster or stucco to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using trowels, brushes, or spray guns.
- Set up scaffolds.
- Determine materials needed to complete the job and place orders accordingly.
- Apply weatherproof, decorative coverings to exterior surfaces of buildings, such as by troweling or spraying on coats of stucco.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Building and Construction
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Trunk Strength
- Extent Flexibility
- Multilimb Coordination
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Static Strength
- Dynamic Strength
- Stamina
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Support
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Linux
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Database
- Salesforce software
Tools & Equipment
- Chalk lines
- Claw hammers
- Corner tools
- Darbies
- Featheredgers
- Floats
- Hand saws
- Hand trowels
- Heat guns
- Inside step tools
- Joint knives
- Keyhole saws
- Ladders
- Lime brushes
- Nail guns
Work Environment
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Standing
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $38,610 |
| Median | $56,020 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $92,930 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 20,880
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $38,140
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $58,140
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,480
Roofers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $50,970
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,660
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.