Guidance.help

Plasterers and Stucco Masons

People classed as Plasterers and Stucco Masons apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. With a code of RCA, this is mostly a job for people drawn to hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Conventional interests also help, rated 3.3 out of 7. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to time management, quality control analysis, and active listening as the ones to build. One core duty is to cover surfaces such as windows, doors, or sidewalks to protect from splashing. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking leading, persuading and making business decisions.

What they do

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

Main tasks

  • Cover surfaces such as windows, doors, or sidewalks to protect from splashing.
  • Apply coats of plaster or stucco to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using trowels, brushes, or spray guns.
  • 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.
  • Mix mortar and plaster to desired consistency or direct workers who perform mixing.
  • Clean job sites.

Skills

  • Time Management
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Operations Monitoring

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on time management and quality control analysis.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want to lead people or run the business side. Enterprising rates 1.1 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCA takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Less than a High School Diploma. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Applicator
  • Ornamental Plasterer
  • Plaster Applicator
  • Plaster Mechanic
  • Plasterer

Related careers

Is this your direction?

See how your interests line up with RCA and 906 other careers.

Take the career test

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.