Select mix and apply gypsum, concrete or acrylic to exterior and interior walls and ceiling to produce plain or decorative surfaces.
Wage Rate: $22.30 (Construction minimum wage, not including benefits)
Would you enjoy working with hand tools? Could you create decorative textures in usual spaces? Do challenging conditions excite you? Then, you could become a Plasterer!
Plasterers work indoors and out selecting, mixing, and applying gypsum, concrete or acrylic mixtures to exterior and interior walls and ceilings to produce plain or decorative surfaces that are fire, weather or sound resistant.
You can get a jump start on your future career in construction trades by checking out construction courses offered at colleges and high schools.
Plasterers are trained on-the-job. They usually start as helpers carrying materials, setting up scaffolds and mixing plaster. Perfecting plastering skills (the special sweep, pick-up trowel motion) takes patience and practice, as well as, a good understanding of product mixes and wall conditions.
Employers generally prefer to hire high school graduates and expect Plasterers to provide their own tools.
3 years of experience before Occupational Certificate.
There are many independent contractors working on new construction and renovation jobs who need Plasterers.
Experienced Plasterers may advance to supervisory positions or estimator positions. With variations in training they may move into related occupations such as Concrete Finisher, Bricklayer or Tilesetter.
Some Plasterers are self-employed and contract their services for smaller jobs. In smaller communities, Plasterers may also work as Drywall Tapers and Wallboard Applicators.
Wage Rate: $22.30 (Construction minimum wage, not including benefits)
Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits. In total, the value can range from 20% to 30% over and above the basic hourly pay rate.
Plasterers usually work a 40-hour, five-day workweek with some overtime required to meet construction schedules.
Once you have become a skilled Plasterer, you'll have the ability to get work that pays well. As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills in this occupation are portable so if you are interested in relocating you can take your skills with you!