Plasterers and Stucco Masons: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Plasterers and Stucco Masons fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Plasterers and Stucco Masons earn a median salary of $56,020 per year, ranking in the top 55% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.1% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do plasterers and stucco masons earn?

The median annual wage for plasterers and stucco masons is $56,020. That puts plasterers and stucco masons at #444 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is plasterers and stucco masons a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for plasterers and stucco masons is +4.1%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 24K positions in 2024 to 25K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do plasterers and stucco masons do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working plasterers and stucco masons, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Apply weatherproof, decorative coverings to exterior surfaces of buildings, such as by troweling or spraying on coats of stucco.
2. 2.Rough the undercoat surface with a scratcher so the finish coat will adhere.
3. 3.Cover surfaces such as windows, doors, or sidewalks to protect from splashing.
4. 4.Determine materials needed to complete the job and place orders accordingly.
5. 5.Apply coats of plaster or stucco to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using trowels, brushes, or spray guns.
6. 6.Set up scaffolds.
7. 7.Clean and prepare surfaces for applications of plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials, such as by drywall taping.
8. 8.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.

Top skills for plasterers and stucco masons

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become plasterers and stucco mason?

Plasterers and Stucco Masons typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
  $106,580 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
  $78,690 median
• Roof Bolters, Mining
  $76,640 median
• Boilermakers
  $73,340 median
• Construction and Building Inspectors
  $72,120 median
• Pile Driver Operators
  $70,510 median

Common questions parents ask about plasterers and stucco masons