Plasterer
OPCMIA Local 265
Apply plaster, stucco, EIFS, and specialty finishes to walls and ceilings in commercial and institutional buildings.
Starting Pay
$30.12/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$50.20/hr
~$100k/year
Apprenticeship
3 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$135,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Plasterers from OPCMIA Local 265 apply plaster, stucco, EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems), and decorative finishes to walls and ceilings across the Twin Cities metro. The work spans commercial and institutional buildings — hospitals, schools, government buildings, churches, and high-end commercial interiors. You'll mix and apply plaster by hand and machine, work with metal lath and scratch coats, and create smooth or textured finishes. Specialty work includes ornamental plaster, fireproofing applications, and restoring historic plaster in older buildings. The trade is smaller than some others, which means experienced plasterers are always in demand. Local 265 covers the Twin Cities metro — outstate plasterers in Minnesota fall under Local 633.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day you'll report to a commercial job site and meet your journeyman. Expect to start by learning how to mix plaster to the right consistency, prepare surfaces, and apply scratch coats. You'll carry materials, set up scaffolding, and clean work areas while watching experienced plasterers apply finish coats and create textures.
This trade is
Pay Scale
Pay increases each year of the apprenticeship as a percentage of the journeyman rate. All rates are hourly; estimated annual at 2,000 hrs/year.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Year Apprentice | $30.12/hr | ~$60k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $37.65/hr | ~$75k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $50.20/hr | ~$100k |
| 4 | Journeyman Plasterer | $50.20/hr | ~$100k |
Benefits Package
Full family health insurance, defined-benefit pension, annuity fund, and paid vacation. Benefits are administered through OPCMIA.
Apprenticeship Program
3 years
Program Length
432 hrs
Classroom Hours
6,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Contact the Local 265 apprenticeship office or apply through their website. You'll need a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license.
Application Windows
Check plasterers265.org or call the hall for current application dates.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- At least 18 years old
- Drug-free workplace — pre-employment drug test required
- Physically able to work overhead and on scaffolding
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry plaster materials up to 50 lbs
- Comfortable working overhead on scaffolding for extended periods
- Good upper body strength for applying plaster by hand
- Ability to stand and work in awkward positions all day
Tools You'll Need
- Basic hand tools: trowels, hawks, floats, darby, mixing tools
- Work boots (steel-toed required)
- Hard hat and safety glasses (often provided by employer)
Physical Demand
4/5
Technical Level
3/5
Union Hall
Market Outlook
High Demand
MN DEED projects 11% growth for plasterers and stucco masons (SOC 47-2161) 2022–2032, outpacing the 4% BLS national projection 2024–2034. Very small occupation (~90 MN workers), so absolute change is small but percentage growth is strong.
Next Steps
Ready to learn more or apply? Here's what to do right now.
Wage source: Journeyman base hourly rate is sourced from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Commercial Prevailing Wage Schedule (effective 2025-12-22), which is derived from the prevailing collective bargaining agreement for Twin Cities Metro. Total package (with fringe benefits) is higher than the base rate shown. Apprentice progression rates are calculated as standard percentages of journeyman scale and may differ slightly from the actual CBA. This page is not affiliated with OPCMIA Local 265 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with OPCMIA Local 265.