SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Plasterers and Stucco Masons

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Applicator
  • Artisan Plasterer
  • Plaster and Stucco Worker
  • Plaster Applicator
  • Plaster Mechanic
  • Plasterer
  • Plasterer Journeyman
  • Plastering Contractor

What do Plasterers and Stucco Masons do?

Plasterers and stucco masons are skilled craftsmen who apply plaster, stucco, and other materials to walls, ceilings, and exteriors of buildings to create finishes that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Their work involves mixing, applying, and smoothing plaster or mortar, ensuring that surfaces are even and ready for further treatment such as painting or wallpapering. These professionals may also repair existing plaster surfaces or install decorative elements such as moldings and cornices. The work often requires precision and attention to detail, as well as knowledge of various techniques including hand application and using trowels or sprayers. Plasterers and stucco masons must also be familiar with the properties of the materials they work with, as well as safety practices related to working at heights and using heavy equipment. Overall, their craftsmanship plays a critical role in the overall aesthetic and structural integrity of buildings.

What the work actually is

  • 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.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • 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.

Abilities

  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Extent Flexibility The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

Knowledge

  • 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.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

A normal week

  • Getting Information
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Operating system software Linux · Microsoft operating system
  • Graphics or photo imaging software Autodesk Maya · Corel Paint Shop Pro · Corel Painter
  • Project management software Construction Software Center EasyEst · Cost estimating software · Sage Construction Anywhere
  • Accounting software A-Systems JobView · Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel

Tools

  • Edgers Corner tools · Inside step tools · Ornamental cut and shape tools
  • Trowels Featheredgers · Hand trowels · Power trowels
  • Paint sprayers Plaster spraying machines · Spray guns
  • Ladders Stilts
  • Putty knives Joint knives

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Plasterers and Stucco Masons earn in South Africa?

Plasterers and Stucco Masons salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Plasterers and Stucco Masons do?

Cover surfaces such as windows, doors, or sidewalks to protect from splashing, Clean job sites and Mix mortar and plaster to desired consistency or direct workers who perform mixing.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.