Plasterers and stucco masons
SOC Code: 47-2161
Plasterers and stucco masons carries a 23% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $56,020 and +4.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 24,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Plasterers and stucco masons (SOC 47-2161) carries an AI exposure score of 23%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 24,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +4.1% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $56,020, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Plasterers and stucco masons. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 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. Cure freshly plastered surfaces.
- 8. 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.
- 9. Apply weatherproof, decorative coverings to exterior surfaces of buildings, such as by troweling or spraying on coats of stucco.
- 10. Clean and prepare surfaces for applications of plaster, cement, stucco, or similar materials, such as by drywall taping.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Quality Control Analysis
- Time Management
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Service Orientation
- Operations Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge Areas
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
- Design
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Education and Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Plasterers and stucco masons?
Plasterers and stucco masons has an AI exposure score of 23%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Plasterers and stucco masons?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Plasterers and stucco masons is projected to grow by 4.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 24,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Plasterers and stucco masons?
Key skills for Plasterers and stucco masons include Active Listening, Quality Control Analysis, Time Management, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Plasterers and stucco masons earn?
The median annual wage for Plasterers and stucco masons is $56,020, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Plasterers and stucco masons?
The typical entry-level education for Plasterers and stucco masons is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Plasterers and stucco masons?
Plasterers and stucco masons roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).