Prevailing Wage for Plasterers and Stucco Masons
Prevailing wage requirements for Plasterers and Stucco Masons (SOC 47-2161) are set by DOL and vary by city and experience level. Whether your offer is for a Plaster Mechanic, Artisan Plasterer, or general Plaster Applicator role, DOL assigns four wage levels based on experience, and the floor shifts significantly depending on the worksite metro.
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Level 1 covers entry-level plasterers and stucco masons with limited hands-on experience, typically performing routine tasks under close supervision. Workers at this level follow established procedures and are not expected to resolve complex application or finish problems independently.
Level 2 applies to qualified journeyworkers with solid field experience who handle standard plastering and stucco assignments with moderate supervision. This is the most common filing level for Plasterers and Stucco Masons, reflecting typical journeyworker classifications in union and non-union commercial settings.
Level 3 covers experienced plasterers who work independently on complex applications, ornamental plaster, or specialized exterior stucco systems. These workers may assist in planning scope and sequencing, and employers expect minimal oversight on multi-trade job sites.
Level 4 applies to fully competent lead plasterers or stucco masons with broad technical authority, including oversight of crews, quality control on finish coats, and responsibility for resolving application defects. This level reflects foreman or master-craftsperson scope.
Prevailing Wage for Plasterers and Stucco Masons by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Verify which SOC code your employer filed
Plasterer roles are sometimes filed under Construction Laborers (SOC 47-2061) or Tile Installers (SOC 47-2044), both of which carry lower prevailing wages in most metros. Confirm your offer letter and LCA reference SOC 47-2161 before accepting.
Watch union-area wage floors in Chicago and Boston
Prevailing wage floors in unionized metros like Chicago and Boston run substantially above national medians for this occupation. If your worksite shifts mid-contract to a higher-wage metro, your employer must file an amended LCA reflecting the new location's floor.
Exclude signing bonuses from prevailing wage math
DOL requires the prevailing wage to be met through regular cash wages, not one-time signing bonuses or tool allowances. If an employer's base salary falls short of the floor, a bonus payment does not close the gap for compliance purposes.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors with stucco hiring history
Migrate Mate lists employers who have historically sponsored Plasterers and Stucco Masons, letting you see which commercial contractors and specialty subcontractors have active sponsorship records before you apply.
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Find Jobs for Plasterers and Stucco MasonsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-2161.00 alongside Plasterers and Stucco Masons, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Applicator Prevailing Wage
Applicator Prevailing Wage
Applicator positions fall under SOC 47-2161.00 (Plasterers and Stucco Masons). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Artisan Plasterer Prevailing Wage
Artisan Plasterer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Artisan Plasterer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2161.00 (Plasterers and Stucco Masons). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Plaster and Stucco Worker Prevailing Wage
Plaster and Stucco Worker Prevailing Wage
Plaster and Stucco Worker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2161.00 (Plasterers and Stucco Masons). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Plaster Applicator Prevailing Wage
Plaster Applicator Prevailing Wage
Plaster Applicator positions fall under SOC 47-2161.00 (Plasterers and Stucco Masons). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Plaster Mechanic Prevailing Wage
Plaster Mechanic Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Plaster Mechanic for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2161.00 (Plasterers and Stucco Masons). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Plasterer Prevailing Wage
Plasterer Prevailing Wage
Plasterer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2161.00 (Plasterers and Stucco Masons). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Plasterer Journeyman Prevailing Wage
Plasterer Journeyman Prevailing Wage
Plasterer Journeyman positions fall under SOC 47-2161.00 (Plasterers and Stucco Masons). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Plastering Contractor Prevailing Wage
Plastering Contractor Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Plastering Contractor for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2161.00 (Plasterers and Stucco Masons). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Plasterers and Stucco Masons?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. For SOC 47-2161, DOL sets four wage levels corresponding to entry through fully competent experience, calibrated to regional employer wage reports. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification publishes these figures and updates them periodically. Employers must meet or exceed the applicable level when filing an LCA for a sponsored position.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 covers entry workers under close supervision; Level 2 reflects qualified journeyworkers handling standard assignments; Level 3 applies to experienced workers operating independently on complex jobs; Level 4 covers fully competent lead or master-craftsperson roles. Your level should match the actual duties and supervision scope in the job description. Review the LCA your employer files with OFLC, which must state the wage level and corresponding wage rate for your worksite location.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much by city?
DOL assigns wages using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, so local labor market conditions drive the figures. Dense commercial construction markets with strong union presence, like New York or Chicago, produce higher survey wages than smaller metros with less union density. The LCA must list the actual worksite city, not the employer's headquarters, so a contractor based in a low-wage market who assigns you to a high-wage metro must apply that metro's floor.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify an LCA with a wage below the applicable prevailing wage level. If OFLC identifies a deficiency, the application will be denied. For active H-1B or green card petitions, USCIS can issue a Request for Evidence or deny the petition if the stated wage does not meet the DOL floor. You are not protected simply because an offer letter was signed; compliance is determined at the LCA and petition stage.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 47-2161 by metropolitan area. Enter the worksite city or county to retrieve the four-level wage table for that area. Cross-check against recent LCA disclosure data published by OFLC to see what wages employers have actually filed for Plasterers and Stucco Masons in that market. Migrate Mate also shows which employers have sponsored this occupation, giving you a practical starting point for targeting companies with an established filing track record.
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