Skilled Trades

Plasterers and Stucco Masons

Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster.

Median salary (BLS)

$57,660

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$40k – $97k

Job outlook

+4% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Plasterers and Stucco Masons

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

1
Registered apprenticeship (paid)
Experience
Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.
$0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source
2
Journeyman exam & state/local license
License
Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.
$100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Plasterers and Stucco Masons" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

Junior Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Entry / Junior
$39,560
~2 yrs to advance
Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Established
$57,660
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Senior
$77,185

Key skills

A typical day

•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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.