Plasterers and Stucco Masons

Wages
In 2021, the average annual wage in Alabama was $38,570 with most people making between $18,360 and $48,610.
Wages by Industry
  • Building Finishing Contractors $41,480.00
  • Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors $36,560.00
  • Residential Building Construction $43,250.00
  • Other Specialty Trade Contractors $42,880.00
  • Nonresidential Building Construction $43,340.00
Education Required
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Common Majors
  • no information available
About the job

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

What you'll do
    • 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.
    • Apply weatherproof, decorative coverings to exterior surfaces of buildings, such as by troweling or spraying on coats of stucco.
    • Clean and prepare surfaces for applications of plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials, such as by drywall taping.
    • Create decorative textures in finish coat, using brushes or trowels, sand, pebbles, or stones.
    • Cure freshly plastered surfaces.
    • 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.
    • Mix mortar and plaster to desired consistency or direct workers who perform mixing.
    • Mold or install ornamental plaster pieces, panels, or trim.
    • Rough the undercoat surface with a scratcher so the finish coat will adhere.
    • Spray acoustic materials or texture finish over walls or ceilings.
Things you need to know
    • Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
    • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
    • Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
    • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
    • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Abilities you'll need to have
    • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
    • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
    • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
    • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
    • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
    • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
    • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.