Plasterers

Employers

Approximately 27,360 plasterers and stucco masons are employed in the United States. Most plasterers work for independent plastering contractors and are members of unions, either the Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association or the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsworkers. 

Starting Out

Those who wish to become apprentices usually contact local plastering contractors, online job sites, or the appropriate union headquarters. In most places, the local branch of the Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association is the best place to inquire about apprenticeships. The Office of Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of Labor, and state employment offices are also good places to contact for information.

If the apprenticeship program is filled, applicants may wish to enter the field as on-the-job trainees. In this case, they usually contact a plastering contractor directly and begin work as helpers or laborers. They learn about the work by mixing the plaster, helping plasterers with scaffolding, and carrying equipment.