Updated 2025 · Construction
How to Become a Plasterer
Plasterers apply plaster, stucco, and EIFS (exterior insulation finishing systems) to interior walls, ceilings, and exterior surfaces of buildings.
Steps to Become a Plasterer
- Meet basic requirements — You must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. A strong foundation in math, physics, and shop classes helps.
- Apply to an apprenticeship program — Plasterer apprenticeships last 3 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apply through your local union (IBEW, UA, etc.) or a non-union contractor program. You earn while you learn from day one.
- Complete required training — Complete 6000 hours of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.
- Earn certifications — Required certifications include: OSHA 10/30-Hour, EIFS manufacturer certifications, Historic preservation certifications.
- Pass the journeyman exam — After completing your apprenticeship, pass the journeyman licensing exam in your state to earn full journeyman status and pay.
What Does a Plasterer Do?
Plasterers apply plaster, stucco, and EIFS (exterior insulation finishing systems) to interior walls, ceilings, and exterior surfaces of buildings.
Daily Duties
- Mix and apply plaster coats to walls and ceilings
- Apply stucco and EIFS to exterior surfaces
- Create decorative plaster elements (cornices, medallions)
- Repair damaged plaster in historic buildings
- Prepare surfaces with scratch, brown, and finish coats
Skills Needed
- Plaster application
- Stucco finishing
- EIFS installation
- Decorative plasterwork
- Surface preparation
Required Certifications
- OSHA 10/30-Hour
- EIFS manufacturer certifications
- Historic preservation certifications
Plasterer Salary (2025)
The national median plasterer salary is $52,094 per year. Pay ranges from $43,280 in the lowest-paying metro to $68,547 in the highest-paying metro. See the full plasterer salary breakdown by city.
Apprentice Pay Progression
Plasterer apprentices earn while they learn, starting at approximately 40% of journeyman pay:
| Year | % of Journeyman | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 40% | $20,838 |
| Year 2 | 65% | $33,861 |
| Year 3 | 90% | $46,885 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $52,094 |
Union vs Non-Union Plasterer Pay
Union plasterers earn 32% more than non-union workers — $32.90/hour union vs $24.92/hour non-union. Approximately 20.3% of plasterers are union members. See the full union vs non-union comparison.
Work Environment
Plasterers work indoors and outdoors on construction and renovation sites. Physically demanding — overhead work, mixing heavy materials, and working on scaffolding.
Career Outlook
Niche trade with steady demand in commercial construction (stucco/EIFS) and historic preservation. Experienced decorative plasterers are rare and well-compensated.
Frequently Asked Questions
The national median salary for a plasterer is $52,094 per year (2025 BLS data). Pay ranges from $43,280 to $68,547 depending on location, with top earners in the 90th percentile making significantly more.
It takes 3 years to complete a plasterer apprenticeship. During this time, you earn while you learn — starting at approximately 40-50% of journeyman wages and receiving annual raises.
No college degree is required to become a plasterer. The primary path is through an apprenticeship program or trade school. You will need to earn specific certifications: OSHA 10/30-Hour and EIFS manufacturer certifications.
Plasterer earns a Trade Pay Score grade of D, meaning it rates moderately on pay relative to cost of living, wage growth, and demand. Niche trade with steady demand in commercial construction (stucco/EIFS) and historic preservation. Experienced decorative plasterers are rare and well-compensated.
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