Who Earns What

How much does a plasterer make?

US Plasterers and Stucco Masons
$57,660

a year · about $28 an hour

A typical plasterer in the United States makes $57,660 a year, about $28 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They set up scaffolds, prep walls, mix plaster or stucco, and spread it with trowels, brushes, or sprayers. They protect nearby windows and sidewalks, clean up, and often work on their feet outdoors in all weather.

Did you know? Stucco work is most common in the southwestern U.S. and Florida, but plasterers may find jobs in every state.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$57,660
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $39,560 and $96,710
56 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

A high-school diploma or GED is common, though some jobs have no set schooling or training requirement. In the U.S., many learn on the job or through an apprenticeship; some apprenticeship programs require applicants to be 18.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., more experience and skill can bring higher pay, and pay also changes with the employer and local demand. Harder tasks and location matter too; hours, overtime, and shift premiums can change what workers take home.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in New York ($120,180), lowest in New Mexico ($45,350).

See every state
Whole US$57,660
New York$120,180
Hawaii$104,260
Minnesota$102,530
Illinois$93,790
New Hampshire$93,000
Florida$47,420
Montana$46,540
New Mexico$45,350

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

Jobs like this

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Plasterer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$39,560$57,660$96,710about 19,000
States where plasterers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
New York$120,180—
Hawaii$104,260about 110
Minnesota$102,530about 160
Illinois$93,790about 270
New Hampshire$93,000—

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

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY