Occupation Details
Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Apply interior or exterior plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials. May also set ornamental plaster.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$0.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$0.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$0.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
1,730
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
2,150
+42 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
199
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Quick Start - High school or less
Experience Requirements
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.
Education Requirements
Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include food preparation workers, dishwashers, floor sanders and finishers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, logging equipment operators, and baristas.
School Programs
School Programs information is not available for this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Earn While You Learn: Discover hands-on training opportunities that combine paid work experience with classroom instruction for this career path.
AT Bricklayers JATC Local Union #1 (NYC & LI)
Long Island City, NY
Announcement
The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union #1, will conduct a recruitment from June 27, 2025 through May 29, 2026 (excluding July 2025 and August 2025) for 20 Bricklayer-Mason apprentices; 20 Pointer, Caulker, & Cleaner apprentices; five Stone Mason apprentices; and five Plasterer apprentices.
Requirements
The Committee requires that applicants: Must be at least 18 years old. Must have a High School diploma or High School equivalency diploma (such as TASC or GED). Must submit proof with the complete application. Must provide DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), if applicable, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship. Must pass the JATC Basic Assessment Skills Exam (a reading and math comprehension exam). Must score a minimum of 23 out of 28 on test to be considered for an interview. Must have reliable means of transportation to job sites, including all of New York City and Long Island. Must take and pass a drug test, at the expense of the sponsor, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship. Must sign an affidavit stating that they are physically capable of performing the essential functions of the apprenticeship without posing a threat to the health or safety of others, which may include: Working with hand tools and power tools. Exposure to loud noise, hazardous machinery, hazardous voltages, and respiratory irritants. Prolonged standing, climbing, walking, repeated squatting, stretching, and bending. Working indoors and outdoors in extreme temperatures and weather conditions. Working in confined areas where movement is greatly limited. Lifting and moving heavy supplies and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds. Working from ladders, scaffolds, and personnel lifts.
How to Apply
Applications will be available online for 24 hours per day on the following dates: 6/27/25, 9/26/25, 10/31/25, 11/21/25, 12/26/25, 1/30/26, 2/27/26, 3/27/26, 4/24/26 and 5/29/26. Applications must be printed, and affidavits filled out completely, signed and returned by mail with a copy of High School diploma or High School equivalency diploma such as TASC or GED. Mail these items to: International Masonry Institute, 12-07 44th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101. Applicants who do not have internet access may visit their local library.
Additional Information
For further information, applicants should contact Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union #1 at (718) 706-9294. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center. Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 NY is dedicated to the craft of bricklaying, stonesetting, stone tending, masonry restoration and plastering. With over 5000 strong of the most talented masonry craft workers hailing not just from the New York City and Long Island area but from around the world.
Program Dates
Contact Information
Long Island City, NY 11101
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Chalk lines
- Claw hammers
- Corner tools
- Darbies
- Featheredgers
- Floats
- Hand saws
- Hand trowels
- Heat guns
- Inside step tools
- Joint knives
- Keyhole saws
- Ladders
- Lime brushes
- Nail guns
- Nose step tools
- Notebook computers
- Outside step tools
- Personal computers
- Piston pumps
- Plaster mixers
- Plaster molds
- Plaster spraying machines
- Plasterers' hammers
- Plumb bobs
- Power drills
- Power sanders
- Power trowels
- Precision levels
- Rulers
Technology
- Accounting software
- Autodesk 3ds Max Design
- Autodesk Maya
- Construction Software Center EasyEst
- Corel Painter
- Cost estimating software
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Embedded systems development software
- Linux
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft operating system
- Oracle software
- Sage Construction Anywhere
- Salesforce software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- lay out masonry work
- measure tile or masonry materials
- use concrete fabrication techniques
- create decorative textures in finish coat
- use spray paint equipment
- use hand or power tools
- use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
- understand construction specifications
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- apply grouting or other masonry adhesives
- finish concrete surfaces
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- construct molds
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
- climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
- build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
- erect scaffold
- install prefabricated building components
- move or fit heavy objects
- prepare site or surfaces for concrete or masonry work
- apply plaster, stucco or related material
- install lathing to support plaster, stucco, or related construction material
- repair cracks, defects, or damage in installed building materials
- build or repair masonry structures, including kilns or furnaces
- install insulating materials
- tape dry wall joints
- mix mortar, grout, slurry, concrete, or related masonry material
- read tape measure
- read technical drawings
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Cover surfaces such as windows, doors, or sidewalks to protect from splashing.
- Clean job sites.
- Mix mortar and plaster to desired consistency or direct workers who perform mixing.
- Apply coats of plaster or stucco to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using trowels, brushes, or spray guns.
- Set up scaffolds.
- Cure freshly plastered surfaces.
- Determine materials needed to complete the job and place orders accordingly.
- Install guide wires on exterior surfaces of buildings to indicate thickness of plaster or stucco and nail wire mesh, lath, or similar materials to the outside surface to hold stucco in place.
- Apply weatherproof, decorative coverings to exterior surfaces of buildings, such as by troweling or spraying on coats of stucco.
- 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.
- Apply insulation to building exteriors by installing prefabricated insulation systems over existing walls or by covering the outer wall with insulation board, reinforcing mesh, and a base coat.
- Rough the undercoat surface with a scratcher so the finish coat will adhere.
- Spray acoustic materials or texture finish over walls or ceilings.
- Mold or install ornamental plaster pieces, panels, or trim.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Plasterers and stucco masons
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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