Plasterer salary in Michigan
Median $35.09 an hour for 210 plasterers, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.
Plasterer pay in Michigan: the full range
Michigan ranks 7th of 28 states for median plasterer pay, and 7th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $36.48). 210 plasterers work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.7× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $23.25 – $29.99 | $48,350 – $62,370 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $29.99 – $37.24 | $62,370 – $77,450 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $37.24 – $38.59 | $77,450 – $80,270 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Plasterer pay by metro in Michigan
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $23.31 | $37.16 | $37.05 | $38.59 | 70 | 6% above |
| Grand Rapids | $30.13 | $35.85 | $37.54 | $38.16 | 30 | 2% above |
Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).
Plasterer wages in Michigan over time
Table
| Year | Michigan $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $19.25 | $37.20 | $14.48 | 1,380 |
| 2000 | $23.21 | $43.39 | $16.00 | 750 |
| 2001 | $24.13 | $43.86 | $15.79 | 640 |
| 2002 | $22.81 | $40.82 | $15.91 | 320 |
| 2003 | $22.10 | $38.67 | $15.90 | 260 |
| 2004 | $20.73 | $35.33 | $15.60 | 270 |
| 2005 | $25.79 | $42.51 | $16.08 | 330 |
| 2006 | $25.09 | $40.07 | $16.68 | 340 |
| 2007 | $27.72 | $43.04 | $17.52 | 310 |
| 2008 | $20.43 | $30.55 | $18.01 | 210 |
| 2009 | $20.76 | $31.15 | $18.16 | 220 |
| 2010 | $21.35 | $31.52 | $17.89 | 230 |
| 2011 | $21.92 | $31.37 | $17.71 | 240 |
| 2012 | $23.86 | $33.46 | $17.85 | 160 |
| 2013 | $26.35 | $36.42 | $17.64 | 140 |
| 2014 | $26.93 | $36.62 | $18.05 | 190 |
| 2015 | $27.17 | $36.91 | $17.94 | 310 |
| 2016 | $24.41 | $32.74 | $18.70 | 210 |
| 2017 | $26.15 | $34.35 | $19.59 | 210 |
| 2018 | $26.26 | $33.67 | $20.93 | 190 |
| 2019 | $27.29 | $34.37 | $21.85 | 180 |
| 2020 | $28.71 | $35.71 | $22.61 | 80 |
| 2021 | $29.36 | $34.88 | $23.24 | 300 |
| 2022 | $30.46 | $33.51 | $23.91 | 130 |
| 2023 | $30.21 | $31.92 | $25.31 | 110 |
| 2024 | $29.62 | $30.40 | $26.93 | 230 |
| 2025 | $35.09 | $35.09 | $27.72 | 210 |
In today's dollars, the median plasterer wage in Michigan changed by -4.9% over the last ten years of data and by +2.1% since 2019.
Are there more plasterer jobs in Michigan?
BLS counted 210 plasterers in Michigan in May 2025, an estimate with a relative standard error of 23%. With fewer than 3,000 jobs or a wide margin of error, year-to-year changes are within the survey's noise and are not shown as a trend.
Outlook for plasterers in Michigan
Michigan's labor market agency projects the number of plasterers in the state to change by +1.8% between 2024 and 2034, from 270 to 280, with about 20 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +2.8% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 210 counted by the BLS employer survey.
Source: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for plasterers in Michigan
On federally funded construction in Michigan, contractors must pay plasterers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 28 of the 28 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $44.70 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical —). The market median for the state is $35.09.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladwin | Union BRMI0009-018 2024-08-01 | $33.09 | $26.58 | $59.67 | MI20260119 |
| Gratiot | Union BRMI0009-019 2024-09-01 | $33.09 | $26.58 | $59.67 | MI20260122 |
| Hillsdale | Union BRMI0009-022 2024-08-01 | $33.09 | $26.58 | $59.67 | MI20260123 |
| Huron | Union BRMI0009-018 2024-08-01 | $33.09 | $26.58 | $59.67 | MI20260125 |
| Montcalm | Union BRMI0009-015 2024-08-01 | $33.09 | $26.58 | $59.67 | MI20260140 |
| Osceola | Union BRMI0009-015 2024-08-01 | $33.09 | $26.58 | $59.67 | MI20260144 |
| Shiawassee | Union BRMI0009-011 2024-08-01 | $34.43 | $24.44 | $58.87 | MI20260151 |
| Clare | Union BRMI0009-023 2024-08-01 | $35.83 | $22.18 | $58.01 | MI20260114 |
| Saginaw | Union BRMI0009-001 2024-08-01 | $33.01 | $24.54 | $57.55 | MI20260097 |
| Lapeer | Union PLAS0067-004 2014-04-01 | $30.63 | $14.07 | $44.70 | MI20260089 |
| Macomb | Union PLAS0067-004 2014-04-01 | $30.63 | $14.07 | $44.70 | MI20260091 |
| Oakland | Union PLAS0067-004 2014-04-01 | $30.63 | $14.07 | $44.70 | MI20260095 |
| St. Clair | Union PLAS0067-004 2014-04-01 | $30.63 | $14.07 | $44.70 | MI20260098 |
| Sanilac | Union PLAS0067-005 2014-04-01 | $30.63 | $14.07 | $44.70 | MI20260149 |
| Wayne | Union PLAS0067-004 2014-04-01 | $30.63 | $14.07 | $44.70 | MI20260101 |
| Lenawee | Union PLAS0886-007 2014-07-01 | $27.41 | $16.10 | $43.51 | MI20260131 |
| Arenac | Union PLAS0016-039 2014-04-01 | $26.32 | $12.88 | $39.20 | MI20260107 |
| Isabella | Union PLAS0016-039 2014-04-01 | $26.32 | $12.88 | $39.20 | MI20260127 |
| Midland | Union PLAS0016-039 2014-04-01 | $26.32 | $12.88 | $39.20 | MI20260138 |
| Tuscola | Union PLAS0016-039 2014-04-01 | $26.32 | $12.88 | $39.20 | MI20260153 |
| Livingston | Union PLAS0016-002 2014-04-01 | $25.39 | $12.53 | $37.92 | MI20260090 |
| Allegan | Union PLAS0016-043 2014-04-01 | $21.18 | $12.43 | $33.61 | MI20260104 |
| Branch | Union PLAS0016-008 2014-04-01 | $21.18 | $12.43 | $33.61 | MI20260110 |
| Calhoun | Union PLAS0016-007 2014-04-01 | $21.18 | $12.43 | $33.61 | MI20260079 |
| Lake | Union PLAS0016-041 2014-04-01 | $21.18 | $12.43 | $33.61 | MI20260129 |
| Mecosta | Union PLAS0016-041 2014-04-01 | $21.18 | $12.43 | $33.61 | MI20260137 |
| Oceana | Union PLAS0016-040 2014-04-01 | $21.18 | $12.43 | $33.61 | MI20260142 |
| St. Joseph | Union PLAS0016-008 2014-04-01 | $21.18 | $12.43 | $33.61 | MI20260152 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Michigan prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Michigan?
Keep comparing
Plasterer pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Michigan
More on Michigan
Questions this page answers
How much do plasterers make in Michigan?
The median plasterer in Michigan earned $35.09 an hour ($72,990 a year) in May 2025, 27% above the national median of $27.72. The middle half earn $29.99–$37.24; the top 10% earn more than $38.59.
Where does Michigan rank for plasterer pay?
Michigan ranks 7th of 28 states for plasterer pay, with a median of $35.09 an hour, and 7th after adjusting for Michigan's cost of living (BEA price parity 96.2, US = 100).
What is the union plasterer rate in Michigan?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for plasterers in 28 counties, with a typical package of $44.70 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many plasterers work in Michigan?
BLS counted 210 plasterers in Michigan in May 2025, 0.1 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.39; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is plasterer work growing in Michigan?
Michigan's labor market agency projects +1.8% growth for plasterers between 2024 and 2034, from 270 to 280 jobs.
How many plasterer openings a year are there in Michigan?
Michigan projects about 20 openings a year for plasterers over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 1,500 a year.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Michigan and metro areas, SOC 47-2161. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
- State projection: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.