Plasterer
Also advertised as: Dry Liner, Plasterer, Plastering Contractor, Renderer, Self-employed Plasterer, Solid Plasterer
Applies plaster, render and decorative finishes to walls and ceilings.
What the job involves
Plasterers finish walls and ceilings with smooth, level surfaces ready for decoration, or apply weatherproof render to the outside of buildings. You mix materials to the right consistency and apply them in layers, working quickly before the plaster sets. A good finish takes practice, and skilled plasterers are consistently in demand.
Typical responsibilities
- Prepare surfaces for plastering or rendering
- Mix plaster and render to the correct consistency
- Apply and finish plaster to walls and ceilings
- Apply external render and decorative finishes
- Repair damaged plasterwork
Common employers
- Construction contractors
- House building companies
- Renovation and restoration firms
- Self-employment
- Commercial fit-out contractors
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£22,000 – £27,000 a year
With experience
£30,000 – £42,000 a year
Typical hours
Typically 7am to 4pm on site
Working environment
Indoor and outdoor construction sites
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
high
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Plastering and rendering techniques
- Surface preparation
- Material mixing
- Trowel skills
- Time management under setting times
Transferable skills you may already have
- Manual dexterity
- Attention to finish quality
- Working to deadlines
Requirements employers ask for
- Plastering and rendering techniques
- Surface preparation
- Material mixing
- Trowel skills
- Time management under setting times
- Level 2 apprenticeship in plastering, or equivalent site experience
- CSCS card
Useful but not essential
- Manual dexterity
- Attention to finish quality
- Working to deadlines
- Level 3 qualification for specialist decorative finishes
Helpful qualifications
- Level 3 qualification for specialist decorative finishes
Licences and checks
- CSCS card
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Plasterer (Level 2)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Design and technology
Where this career can lead
next
Plastering Team Leader
next
Self-employed Contractor
next
Site Supervisor
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- High self-employment earning potential
- Strong demand for both new build and renovation work
- Skilled trade with visible, satisfying results
What people find hard
- Physically tiring, repetitive arm movements
- Working against material setting times adds pressure
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a plasterer?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a plasterer earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £22,000 to £27,000 a year, rising towards £42,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Manual dexterity, Attention to finish quality, Working to deadlines.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 16 September 2026.
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