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Plasterer

Alternative titles for this job include

Plasterers apply plaster to walls and ceilings ready for decorating and finishing.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£34,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

43 to 45 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

How to become a plasterer

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

College

You can do a college course that will teach you some of the skills needed for the job. Courses include:

  • Level 1 Award in Construction Skills Plastering
  • Level 2 Diploma in Plastering
  • Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plastering
  • T level for Plasterers

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this career by taking an intermediate apprenticeship in plastering.

You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You can begin working as a plasterer's labourer or 'mate'. You may not need formal qualifications but some employers look for on-site construction experience.

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a plasterer from Go Construct and House Building Careers.

What it takes

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to work well with others
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a good level of fitness
  • be able to cope with working at height

What you’ll do

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You'll normally work in a team where you'll:

  • estimate the amount of materials needed for a job
  • prepare surfaces and level off uneven areas
  • mix plaster to the right consistency by hand or with an electric mixer
  • apply 'wet' finishes to walls and ceilings - solid plastering
  • create ornamental features like ceiling roses, cornices and architraves - fibrous plastering
  • fix internal plasterboard or wallboard partitions in rooms - dry lining
  • coat outside walls with protective coverings like pebble-dash or render

Working environment

You could work at a client's business, on a construction site or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be at height.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move to a supervisory job, or into related areas like tiling, dry lining, estimating and site management.

You could also become self-employed and work as a sub-contractor.

Current opportunities

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Plasterer

  • Wage: £144.30 Weekly
  • Location: Oldham

Plastering Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £156.00 Weekly
  • Location: Whitley Bay
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Plastering

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2021
  • Location: Hull

***PLASTERING LEVEL 2

  • Provider: BARNSLEY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 03 September 2021
  • Location: Barnsley
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