Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Overview
Plasterers and stucco masons are skilled craftspeople who apply plaster, cement, and stucco to walls and ceilings in homes, offices, and other buildings. They use a variety of tools like trowels, brushes, and spray guns to create smooth, decorative, or textured surfaces both indoors and outdoors. This hands-on job requires setting up scaffolding, mixing materials to the right consistency, and preparing surfaces properly before application. It's perfect for people who enjoy working with their hands, have an eye for detail, and like seeing immediate results from their craftsmanship.
Did you know?
Employment opportunities are primarily concentrated in warmer U.S. regions like California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida where stucco is commonly used due to climate suitability.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$61,009.69 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Quality Control Analysis
Key Responsibilities
- Clean and prepare surfaces for applications of plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials, such as by drywall taping.
- Clean job sites.
- Determine materials needed to complete the job and place orders accordingly.
- Spray acoustic materials or texture finish over walls or ceilings.
- 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.
- Rough the undercoat surface with a scratcher so the finish coat will adhere.
- Install guide wires on exterior surfaces of buildings to indicate thickness of plaster or stucco and nail wire mesh, lath, or similar materials to the outside surface to hold stucco in place.
- Mold or install ornamental plaster pieces, panels, or trim.
- Apply coats of plaster or stucco to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using trowels, brushes, or spray guns.
- Cover surfaces such as windows, doors, or sidewalks to protect from splashing.
- Create decorative textures in finish coat, using brushes or trowels, sand, pebbles, or stones.
- Set up scaffolds.
- Cure freshly plastered surfaces.
- Apply weatherproof, decorative coverings to exterior surfaces of buildings, such as by troweling or spraying on coats of stucco.
- Mix mortar and plaster to desired consistency or direct workers who perform mixing.
Career Considerations
Regional Job Market Concentration
Employment opportunities are primarily concentrated in warmer U.S. regions like California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida where stucco is commonly used due to climate suitability.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The role requires significant physical stamina for outdoor work in various weather conditions, including lifting heavy materials and working on scaffolding or ladders.
Specialized Skills and Career Advancement
Success requires mastering specific application techniques and material knowledge, with opportunities to advance to supervisory roles or start independent contracting businesses.