How much do plasterers make in the US in 2026?
$57,660
National median (BLS OEWS May 2025)
In 2026, plasterers earn the most in New York (~$120,180) and the least in Florida (~$47,420), with a national median of $57,660 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Last updated June 2026.
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Which state is best for plasterers?
Different states win on different measures — here's the top on each. Pick the one that matters to you.
Highest median pay
New York
$120,180
Most jobs
California
6,780 jobs
Across 19 states: $47,420–$120,180 (median $59,940).
57,660 reasons to know where you stand — that's the national median annual wage for plasterers and stucco masons, according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A quarter of the trade earns below $47,970; a quarter earns above $71,310. That's a spread of more than $23,000 between the 25th and 75th percentiles, which tells you location and employer type matter a lot. TradesPays covers this trade across 19 states, with a wide range of state-level figures: the highest-paying state in our set, New York, comes in at $120,180 — more than double Florida's $47,420 at the low end. Minnesota ($102,530) and Illinois ($93,790) round out the top three. If you're making career or relocation decisions, knowing where your state sits in that range is a straight-up practical tool.
Plasterer pay by state
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $120,180 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $102,530 |
| 3 | Illinois | $93,790 |
| 4 | Missouri | $79,380 |
| 5 | Michigan | $72,990 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $70,030 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $69,990 |
| 8 | Virginia | $64,120 |
| 9 | Ohio | $62,200 |
| 10 | California | $59,940 |
| 11 | Maryland | $56,890 |
| 12 | Indiana | $53,930 |
| 13 | Washington | $51,840 |
| 14 | Texas | $51,140 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $50,700 |
Where is the union premium biggest for Plasterers?
Named locals and the premium over the BLS all-worker median.
We don't have union scale data for Plasterer across our states yet — these states are predominantly non-union, or we haven't added IBEW/UA data. Submitting your pay helps build complete data for Plasterer.
Union landscape
TradesPays does not have union scale data for plasterers in any of the 19 states we currently cover. That's a gap we're calling out directly rather than papering over it. Some plasterers are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and union scale rates — which are set through contract negotiations — can differ significantly from the BLS survey figures you see on this page. If you're working under a collective bargaining agreement or considering a union shop, the only reliable source for your current scale rate is your local. Ask them directly for the most recent contract figures; those numbers are specific to your area, your classification, and your current contract period. We won't guess at what they are. When we do have verified union scale data for this trade, it will appear here clearly labeled. Until then, treat the BLS-based wage figures on this page as a reference for the broader labor market, not as a substitute for your actual CBA rate.
What we don't track yet
A few honest limitations worth knowing before you read too much into the numbers here. First, TradesPays does not currently publish metro-level pay data for plasterers. The state figures on this page are statewide averages — they can mask real differences between a rural market and a dense metro area within the same state. A plasterer working in a high-cost urban center may see wages that look nothing like the statewide figure. Second, we don't break out pay tiers by apprentice, journeyman, or master classifications beyond what union scale data would provide — and as noted above, we don't have that data for this trade yet. The BLS figures represent a cross-section of workers at all experience levels rolled into one number. A first-year worker and a 20-year veteran both feed into that median. If you have verified wage data — your own pay stub, a CBA rate sheet, or a reliable shop survey from your area — we want to hear from you. Use the submission form on this page to send it in. Better data benefits everyone in the trade.
Plasterer pay: FAQ
- What is the national median wage for plasterers?
- According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, the national median annual wage for plasterers and stucco masons is $57,660. The 25th percentile sits at $47,970 and the 75th percentile at $71,310.
- Which state pays plasterers the most?
- In the TradesPays dataset, New York is the highest-paying state at $120,180 annually. Minnesota ($102,530) and Illinois ($93,790) are second and third. These are statewide figures — metro areas within those states may vary.
- Which state has the lowest plasterer wages in your data?
- Florida is the lowest-paying state in our current 19-state set, at $47,420 annually. That's below both the national median and the 25th percentile for the trade overall.
- How many states does TradesPays cover for this trade?
- TradesPays currently covers plasterer wage data across 19 states. Coverage expands as we verify data, so check back if your state isn't listed yet.
- Why is there such a big gap between the lowest and highest state wages?
- The gap between Florida ($47,420) and New York ($120,180) is over $72,000. State wages reflect differences in cost of living, local demand for the trade, prevailing wage laws on public projects, and union density — none of which are uniform across the country.
- Does TradesPays show plasterer wages by city or metro area?
- Not yet. All figures currently shown are statewide. Metro-level data is something we're working to add. If you have reliable local wage data to share, use the submission form on this page.
- Are these wages for residential or commercial plastering work?
- The BLS OEWS figures TradesPays publishes cover the trade as a whole — they don't split out residential versus commercial work. Pay can differ meaningfully between those sectors, particularly where prevailing wage rules apply to commercial or public work.
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