Plasterer salary in New Jersey
Median $33.65 an hour for 50 plasterers and stucco masons, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Plasterer pay in New Jersey: the full range
New Jersey ranks 10th of 28 states for median plasterer pay, and 11th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $30.93). 50 plasterers and stucco masons work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $26.44 – $29.84 | $54,990 – $62,060 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $29.84 – $46.44 | $62,060 – $96,600 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $46.44 – $52.16 | $96,600 – $108,490 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Plasterer pay by metro in New Jersey
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $29.75 | $57.78 | $57.79 | 840 | 72% above |
| Philadelphia | $30.10 | $37.60 | $46.44 | 80 | 12% above |
Plasterer wages in New Jersey over time
Table
| Year | New Jersey $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $15.08 | $29.14 | $14.48 | — |
| 2000 | $16.75 | $31.32 | $16.00 | 1,110 |
| 2001 | $17.34 | $31.52 | $15.79 | 890 |
| 2002 | $18.66 | $33.39 | $15.91 | 990 |
| 2003 | $21.80 | $38.14 | $15.90 | 460 |
| 2004 | $21.49 | $36.63 | $15.60 | 460 |
| 2005 | $22.31 | $36.78 | $16.08 | 290 |
| 2006 | $18.71 | $29.88 | $16.68 | 330 |
| 2007 | $15.77 | $24.49 | $17.52 | 440 |
| 2008 | $15.57 | $23.28 | $18.01 | 660 |
| 2009 | $18.27 | $27.42 | $18.16 | 520 |
| 2010 | $18.35 | $27.09 | $17.89 | 410 |
| 2011 | $18.98 | $27.17 | $17.71 | 340 |
| 2012 | $17.13 | $24.02 | $17.85 | 280 |
| 2013 | $19.35 | $26.74 | $17.64 | 160 |
| 2014 | $24.13 | $32.81 | $18.05 | 370 |
| 2015 | $20.24 | $27.49 | $17.94 | 500 |
| 2016 | $19.46 | $26.10 | $18.70 | 570 |
| 2017 | $17.49 | $22.97 | $19.59 | 270 |
| 2018 | $26.20 | $33.59 | $20.93 | 150 |
| 2021 | $25.60 | $30.42 | $23.24 | — |
| 2022 | $24.19 | $26.61 | $23.91 | 110 |
| 2023 | $39.20 | $41.42 | $25.31 | 160 |
| 2024 | $45.21 | $46.40 | $26.93 | — |
| 2025 | $33.65 | $33.65 | $27.72 | 50 |
In today's dollars, the median plasterer wage in New Jersey changed by +22.4% over the last ten years of data.
Union scale and prevailing wage for plasterers in New Jersey
On federally funded construction in New Jersey, contractors must pay plasterers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 17 of the 21 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $70.01 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $42.33). 4 of the 21 counties still use a survey rate dated 2009 or earlier (for example Burlington County at $42.33). The market median for the state is $33.65.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bergen | Union PLAS0029-003 2025-05-01 | $54.64 | $30.95 | $85.59 | NJ20260026 |
| Essex | Union PLAS0029-003 2025-05-01 | $54.64 | $30.95 | $85.59 | NJ20260031 |
| Hudson | Union PLAS0029-003 2025-05-01 | $54.64 | $30.95 | $85.59 | NJ20260033 |
| Morris | Union PLAS0029-003 2025-05-01 | $54.64 | $30.95 | $85.59 | NJ20260038 |
| Passaic | Union PLAS0029-003 2025-05-01 | $54.64 | $30.95 | $85.59 | NJ20260040 |
| Sussex | Union PLAS0029-003 2025-05-01 | $54.64 | $30.95 | $85.59 | NJ20260043 |
| Union | Union PLAS0029-003 2025-05-01 | $54.64 | $30.95 | $85.59 | NJ20260044 |
| Warren | Union PLAS0029-003 2025-05-01 | $54.64 | $30.95 | $85.59 | NJ20260045 |
| Atlantic | Union PLAS0008-007 2021-05-01 | $38.37 | $31.64 | $70.01 | NJ20260025 |
| Cape May | Union PLAS0008-007 2021-05-01 | $38.37 | $31.64 | $70.01 | NJ20260029 |
| Cumberland | Union PLAS0008-007 2021-05-01 | $38.37 | $31.64 | $70.01 | NJ20260030 |
| Hunterdon | Union PLAS0008-008 2021-05-01 | $38.37 | $31.64 | $70.01 | NJ20260034 |
| Mercer | Union PLAS0008-007 2021-05-01 | $38.37 | $31.64 | $70.01 | NJ20260035 |
| Middlesex | Union PLAS0008-008 2021-05-01 | $38.37 | $31.64 | $70.01 | NJ20260036 |
| Monmouth | Union PLAS0008-007 2021-05-01 | $38.37 | $31.64 | $70.01 | NJ20260037 |
| Ocean | Union PLAS0008-007 2021-05-01 | $38.37 | $31.64 | $70.01 | NJ20260039 |
| Somerset | Union PLAS0008-008 2021-05-01 | $38.37 | $31.64 | $70.01 | NJ20260042 |
| Burlington | Survey SUNJ2004-003 2009-01-02 | $42.33 | $0.00 | $42.33 | NJ20260027 |
| Camden | Survey SUNJ2004-004 2009-01-02 | $42.33 | $0.00 | $42.33 | NJ20260028 |
| Gloucester | Survey SUNJ2004-008 2009-01-02 | $42.33 | $0.00 | $42.33 | NJ20260032 |
| Salem | Survey SUNJ2004-017 2009-01-02 | $42.33 | $0.00 | $42.33 | NJ20260041 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the New Jersey prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in New Jersey?
Keep comparing
Plasterer pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in New Jersey
Questions this page answers
How much do plasterers make in New Jersey?
The median plasterer in New Jersey earned $33.65 an hour ($69,990 a year) in May 2025, 21% above the national median of $27.72. The middle half earn $29.84–$46.44; the top 10% earn more than $52.16.
Where does New Jersey rank for plasterer pay?
New Jersey ranks 10th of 28 states for plasterer pay, with a median of $33.65 an hour, and 11th after adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (BEA price parity 108.8, US = 100).
What is the union plasterer rate in New Jersey?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for plasterers in 17 counties, with a typical package of $70.01 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many plasterers work in New Jersey?
BLS counted 50 plasterers and stucco masons in New Jersey in May 2025, 0.0 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.09; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, New Jersey and metro areas, SOC 47-2161.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.