A plasterer or stucco mason applies plaster, stucco, and other finishes to walls, ceilings, and exterior surfaces. It is hands-on, in demand, and you can start without a four-year degree. Here is what the work involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Plasterers and stucco masons coat interior and exterior surfaces with plaster, stucco, cement, and similar materials. You mix compounds to the right consistency, apply them with trowels and other tools, and smooth or texture the finish. You inspect surfaces and materials to ensure quality, handle and move heavy materials and equipment, and coordinate with other workers on the job site. You make decisions about application methods and problem-solve when conditions change. The work requires attention to detail and the ability to follow blueprints and specifications.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Plasterers and Stucco Masons earn a median of $57,660 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 1,900 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most plasterers and stucco masons learn through on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction. You typically start as a helper or apprentice, working alongside experienced masons while learning techniques, safety practices, and building codes. Some programs combine paid apprenticeships with formal coursework in construction, design principles, and English language skills. No four-year degree is required. The preparation level is moderate, meaning you need some foundational knowledge but can build most skills through hands-on experience and structured training on the job.
Apprenticeships and entry-level positions are common routes into this trade. If you are exploring how to move from helper to mason, Pathly can map the plasterer and stucco mason path that fits you with your counselor to map out the training steps and timeline that fit your situation.
You do not need a license to work as a plasterer and stucco mason, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to hands-on work, problem-solving, and building things. You listen well, communicate clearly, and stay focused on quality and safety. You learn by doing and adapt as conditions change.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).