male worker wearing white gloves drilling into the ceiling

Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers

(NOC 73102)
Annual Earnings
$58,397
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
1,140

Career Overview

Plasterers apply finish and maintain and restore plaster or similar materials on interior and exterior walls, ceilings and building partitions to produce plain or decorative surfaces. Drywall installers and finishers install and finish drywall sheets and various types of ceiling systems. Lathers install support framework for ceiling systems, interior and exterior walls and building partitions.

People in these occupations:

  • Work for construction companies and plastering, drywalling and lathing contractors
  • May be self-employed
  • Should be able to work both independently and in a team setting
  • Should have good manual dexterity, good hand-eye coordination and a good eye for detail
  • Should also be comfortable working at heights from ladders or scaffolding
  • Should be able to lift heavy objects (up to 20 kilograms)
  • Should have good math skills

 

Duties

Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers are three closely related trades that build and finish walls in commercial and residential construction. These workers are involved in the application and finishing of such materials as fireproofing, thin wall, veneer plaster, rigid insulation and patent texturing materials.

Plasterers:

  • Clean and prepare surfaces
  • Mix plaster ingredients in trough to desired consistency
  • Apply, level and smooth coats of plaster using trowels, floats, brushes and spraying equipment
  • Trowel or spray coats of stucco over exteriors of buildings to form weatherproof surfaces
  • Finish corners and angles and create decorative designs in finish coat, if required
  • Cure freshly plastered surfaces
  • Mould and install ornamental plaster panels, cornices and trim
  • Spray acoustic materials or texture finish over walls and ceilings

Drywall installers and finishers:

  • Measure, cut and fit drywall sheets for installation on walls and ceilings
  • Position and secure sheets to metal or wooden studs or joists
  • Cut and install metal corner beads to protect exterior corners
  • Fill joints, nail indentations, holes and cracks with joint compound using trowel and broad knife
  • Tape over joints using taping machine and embed tape in compound
  • Smooth out excess compound and allow coat to dry
  • Apply successive coats of compound and sand seams and joints
  • Fabricate and install suspended metal ceiling grids and place in panels to form acoustical and coffered ceilings

The work of these two groups varies. For example, finishers do not install board, they finish it.

Lathers:

  • Prepare wall and ceiling layouts
  • Install metal stud framing and furring for interior drywall or plaster walls and ceilings, using hand and power tools
  • Attach metal or gypsum lath to studs or furring using nails, screws, clips or wire ties
  • Cut openings in lath for heating and ventilation piping, ducts and electrical outlets
  • Install corner beads and wire mesh around beams to which plaster is to be applied
  • May install acoustic tile, hangers for suspended ceilings and metal studs for composition wallboard or lath

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$58,397

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$36.49/hr
Median$28.00/hr
Low$20.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

4,120

% Employed Full Time

43%
Source: 2021 Census

Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers typically work a standard 40-hour work week; however, some overtime may also be required to complete projects and meet deadlines.

Drywall installers and lathers usually work indoors, and may use ladders or scaffolding. Plasterers may work either indoors or outdoors, and may also work at heights using ladders or scaffolding. Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers may work in confined spaces and be exposed to dust and debris.

Workers take safety precautions when working on ladders or scaffolding to decrease risk of injury from falls. Workers are also required to lift heavy objects, which increases the risk of back injury.

Career Pathways

With education and experience, workers may progress to supervisory positions or they may start their own businesses. They may also become construction estimators, project managers or contractors.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Acoustical ceiling installer
Ceiling installer
Drywall applicator
Drywall finisher
Drywall installer and finisher apprentice
Drywall taper
Lather
Lather (interior systems mechanic)
Lather apprentice
Plasterer
Plasterer apprentice
Sheetrock applicator
Wood lather

Education, Training and Skills

Completion of secondary school is usually required. As well, completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship program in plastering, drywalling or lathing or a combination of more than three years of work experience and some high school, college or industry courses in plastering, drywalling or lathing is usually required, depending on the occupation. Apprenticeship programs:

  • Can be started in secondary school, through entry-level training at colleges and technical institutes, or by direct entry
  • Require workers to find a sponsor employer who is willing to participate in the program

While trade certification is not mandatory in B.C., it may increase job opportunities. Trade certification requires:

  • Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program or a combination of more than five years work experience and some high school, college or industry courses

Interprovincial trade certification (Red Seal certification) is also available to qualified lathers through SkilledTradesBC. Once individuals pass the interprovincial exam (the final exam for this trade), they will achieve certification and will automatically have a Red Seal endorsement. For more information please see SkilledTradesBC's website at https://skilledtradesbc.ca.

Drywall finishers who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact SkilledTradesBC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Trades training resources

Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

47%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

47%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

46%
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.

46%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

44%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

43%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

41%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

40%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

39%
Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.

38%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

4,120
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 90 2.2%
Kootenay 115 2.8%
Mainland/Southwest 2,435 59.2%
North Coast and Nechako 20 0.5%
Northeast 15 0.4%
Thompson-Okanagan 675 16.4%
Vancouver Island/Coast 760 18.5%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

1,140
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 20 0.6%
Kootenay 20 -0.3%
Mainland/Southwest 590 0.4%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast 10 1.1%
Thompson-Okanagan 290 1.6%
Vancouver Island/Coast 210 0.6%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Construction1,090
Information, Culture And Recreation10
Business, Building And Other Support Services10
Accommodation And Food Services10
Manufacturing10
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Due to the large size of this occupational group, there will be numerous opportunities for work in this profession.

Industry sources report that the recent economic downturn reduced the demand for these workers, although this is expected to change as the economy improves. Demand for workers in this occupational group will be driven primarily by construction activity and the need to replace workers who retire.

Resources