NSXNational Skills ExchangeSign in
Back to Framework

Plasterers and Stucco Masons

SOC 47-2161.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full career arc of plasterers and stucco masons working on residential, commercial, and historic construction sites, from supervised entry-level surface prep and material mixing through autonomous application and quality control to organizational leadership, crew development, and enterprise-level project management.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Protective coverings for windows, doors, and sidewalks — apply under direct supervision to prevent splashing damage on a residential job site.
  2. Job site debris and leftover materials — remove and dispose of following established cleanup procedures at the end of each work shift.
  3. Mortar and plaster mixtures — prepare to specified consistency under the guidance of a journey-level plasterer using standard mixing equipment.
  4. Scaffold components — assemble and disassemble under direct supervision following basic safety protocols on a low-rise construction site.
  5. Surface contaminants and loose material — identify and remove from walls and ceilings prior to plaster application using hand tools and wire brushes.
  6. Trowels, brushes, and hand tools — handle and care for following demonstrated techniques during introductory plastering tasks.
  7. Basic plaster coats — apply to small interior wall sections under close supervision using a hand trowel on a residential remodel.
  8. Material quantities — estimate under supervisor guidance by reviewing job scope and referencing standard coverage charts for a single-room project.
  9. Work instructions and safety briefings — follow attentively and ask clarifying questions to ensure correct task execution on a supervised job site.
  10. Physical stamina and trunk strength — demonstrate by sustaining overhead and repetitive plastering motions throughout a full supervised work shift.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Stucco and plaster coats — apply consistently to walls, ceilings, and partitions using trowels and brushes with limited oversight on mid-scale commercial projects.
  2. Weatherproof stucco finishes — trowel and spray onto exterior building surfaces following standard application sequences on residential and light commercial sites.
  3. Surface preparation including drywall taping and patching — complete independently to manufacturer specifications before plaster application on remodel projects.
  4. Plaster and mortar mixes — adjust consistency based on ambient conditions and substrate type for routine interior and exterior applications.
  5. Scaffold systems — erect and inspect for stability and compliance with safety standards before crew use on multi-story renovation projects.
  6. Material orders — calculate quantities needed for assigned project phases and submit purchase requests using spreadsheet or office suite software.
  7. Work area protection — plan and execute coverage of adjacent surfaces and fixtures to minimize overspray and splatter on occupied building interiors.
  8. Finished plaster surfaces — inspect visually and by touch for voids, cracks, and uniformity, correcting deficiencies before the next coat is applied.
  9. Time allocation across daily plastering tasks — manage independently to meet project milestones without direct supervisor scheduling on routine job sites.
  10. Verbal progress updates — communicate clearly to forepersons and coworkers regarding material needs, surface readiness, and task completion status.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full-scope plaster and stucco systems — execute autonomously across interior and exterior surfaces including scratch, brown, and finish coats on complex commercial projects.
  2. Decorative and textured stucco finishes — produce to architect and owner specifications using advanced trowel, spray, and hand-carving techniques on high-visibility facades.
  3. Non-routine surface conditions such as curved walls, historic substrates, and water-damaged areas — diagnose and remediate using appropriate repair methods and materials.
  4. Material specifications for large multi-phase projects — determine, source, and order independently, optimizing for cost and schedule using project management software.
  5. Quality control inspections — conduct at each application stage to verify adhesion, thickness, and finish against project drawings and industry standards.
  6. Scaffolding and site access systems — evaluate, configure, and approve for complex multi-story or irregular building geometries prior to crew deployment.
  7. CAD or design software — interpret architectural drawings and elevation details to plan plaster system layout and finish sequences for custom projects.
  8. Crew mixing operations — direct and monitor to ensure consistent batch quality across large pours and extended application shifts on commercial job sites.
  9. Production schedules — develop and adjust in response to weather delays, material lead times, and inspection hold points on active construction projects.
  10. Customer and client concerns regarding finish quality or scope changes — address directly and professionally, proposing solutions that maintain project integrity.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational plastering standards and best-practice procedures — develop and codify to ensure consistent quality across all crews, projects, and geographic locations.
  2. Apprentices and journey-level plasterers — mentor and evaluate through structured on-the-job training programs aligned with trade certification requirements.
  3. Estimating and project management systems including ERP and accounting software — implement and oversee to improve bid accuracy and job cost tracking across the business.
  4. Company-wide safety culture for plastering and stucco operations — lead by establishing inspection protocols, toolbox talk programs, and incident-review processes.
  5. Strategic material supplier relationships — negotiate and manage to secure preferred pricing, reliable delivery, and access to innovative stucco and plaster products.
  6. Design-build and specialty decorative finish capabilities — expand within the organization by identifying emerging market opportunities and training crews in new techniques.
  7. CAD and CAM software workflows — champion adoption across estimating and production teams to improve planning accuracy on complex architectural plaster projects.
  8. Cross-trade coordination with general contractors, architects, and inspectors — lead to resolve schedule conflicts and technical issues that affect plaster system performance.
  9. Enterprise resource planning tools — configure and oversee to integrate plastering operations with broader construction management, payroll, and procurement functions.
  10. Industry standards, building codes, and sustainability requirements — monitor for updates and translate into updated company specifications, training materials, and bid strategies.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

A 4-level framework describing how a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline. Subscribe for $19.99/mo to read the full framework — or sign in if you have a subscription.

  1. Emerging
  2. Developing
  3. Proficient
  4. Advanced
Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library

Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency levels for this occupation. Subscribe to unlock the full Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework across all 1,016 occupations.

Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library
Show O*NET source anchors42 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

Suggest an O*NET correction

Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Lather · Plasterer · Applicator · Artisan · Artisan Plasterer · Decorative Plasterer · Dry Plasterer · Hard Surface Plasterer · Mason · Mason Plasterer · Modeler · Molding Plasterer
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0036 · Lather · 0056 · Plasterer
O*NET skills
Active ListeningQuality Control AnalysisTime Management
Knowledge domains
Building and ConstructionAdministration and ManagementDesignEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal Service
Abilities
Near VisionArm-Hand SteadinessManual DexterityTrunk StrengthExtent FlexibilityGross Body EquilibriumMultilimb CoordinationStatic StrengthStaminaOral Expression
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailCautiousnessPerseveranceAchievement OrientationStress Tolerance
Technology
Accounting softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareProject management softwareComputer aided manufacturing CAM softwareDevelopment environment softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareOperating system softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Cover surfaces such as windows, doors, or sidewalks to protect from splashing.
  2. Clean job sites.
  3. Mix mortar and plaster to desired consistency or direct workers who perform mixing.
  4. Apply coats of plaster or stucco to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using trowels, brushes, or spray guns.
  5. Set up scaffolds.
  6. Determine materials needed to complete the job and place orders accordingly.
  7. Apply weatherproof, decorative coverings to exterior surfaces of buildings, such as by troweling or spraying on coats of stucco.
  8. Clean and prepare surfaces for applications of plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials, such as by drywall taping.
CIP education codes
46.000046.010146.020146.030246.040146.0402

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.