How much does a plasterer and stucco mason make?
The median plasterer and stucco mason in the United States earns $56,020 per year, about $26.93 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all plasterers and stucco masons earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-2161.
Plasterer and stucco mason salary range
Pay for plasterers and stucco masons spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,610 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $92,930. The average (mean) wage of $61,000 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,610 | $18.56 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,990 | $22.59 | |
| Median (50th) | $56,020 | $26.93 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $72,210 | $34.72 | |
| 90th percentile | $92,930 | $44.68 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for plasterers and stucco masons (SOC 47-2161), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Plasterer and stucco mason salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Plasterers and stucco masons earn the most in Hawaii at $99,070 a year, and the least in Georgia at $41,130. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $99,070 | 70 |
| New Jersey | $94,040 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $85,810 | 150 |
| South Carolina | $84,160 | 70 |
| Illinois | $83,020 | 320 |
| Missouri | $74,560 | 550 |
| New York | $73,940 | 830 |
| Oregon | $69,290 | 160 |
| Minnesota | $68,220 | 110 |
| Ohio | $63,310 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,470 | 230 |
| Michigan | $61,610 | 230 |
| California | $60,370 | 8,370 |
| New Hampshire | $59,780 | N/A |
| Washington | $59,410 | 330 |
| Arizona | $55,260 | 1,570 |
| Montana | $54,970 | 40 |
| Maryland | $54,510 | N/A |
| Virginia | $53,970 | 150 |
| Utah | $53,170 | 1,200 |
| Kansas | $52,900 | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $52,660 | 140 |
| Colorado | $52,010 | 690 |
| Indiana | $51,310 | 130 |
| Nevada | $49,750 | 1,230 |
| Kentucky | $48,680 | 40 |
| Florida | $47,480 | 2,170 |
| New Mexico | $47,210 | 350 |
| Texas | $46,500 | 780 |
| Louisiana | $46,270 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $45,470 | 40 |
| Georgia | $41,130 | N/A |
State median wages for plasterers and stucco masons (SOC 47-2161), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for plasterers and stucco masons
The BLS projects employment of plasterers and stucco masons to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 22,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 23,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,500 openings a year for plasterers and stucco masons. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a plasterer and stucco mason
The typical entry-level education for plasterers and stucco masons is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a plasterer and stucco mason earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $99,070) and the lowest (Georgia, $41,130) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 20,880 people work as plasterers and stucco masons in the United States. At $56,020 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Plasterer and stucco mason salary FAQ
How much does a plasterer and stucco mason make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a plasterer and stucco mason is $26.93. The middle half of plasterers and stucco masons earn between $22.59 and $34.72 per hour.
What is the highest plasterer and stucco mason salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of plasterers and stucco masons earn more than $92,930 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a plasterer and stucco mason make a year?
The median annual salary for a plasterer and stucco mason is $56,020. The average (mean) wage of $61,000 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a plasterer and stucco mason a well paid job?
At $56,020 a year, a plasterer and stucco mason earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 20,880 people work as plasterers and stucco masons in the United States.
Which state pays plasterers and stucco masons the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for plasterers and stucco masons at $99,070 a year. New Jersey ($94,040) and Massachusetts ($85,810) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a plasterer and stucco mason a good career?
Employment of plasterers and stucco masons is projected to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a plasterer and stucco mason?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for plasterers and stucco masons as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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