Plasterers and Stucco Masons Salary
The median pay for a plasterers and stucco masons in Illinois is $93,790/year ($45.09/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $99,936 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 23.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $94K get you in Illinois?
About plasterers and stucco masons
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Illinois
Illinois sits well above the national pay line for plasterers and stucco masons, local pay runs about 63% higher than the U.S. median of $58K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,407/month, 24.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Illinois offers a genuinely strong financial position for plasterers and stucco masonss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level plasterers and stucco masons (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K. Top earners bring in $106K or more, a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Plasterers and Stucco Masons salary by metro in Illinois
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $96K | +3% | 190 |
Compare to other states
Track plasterers and stucco masons salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
Related careers in Construction & Trades
Frequently asked questions
Can a plasterers and stucco mason afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
Yes — at the median salary of $94K, rent takes 24.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for plasterers and stucco masons in Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new plasterers and stucco masons typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,893/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is plasterers and stucco mason a high-paying job in Illinois?
Local pay is 63% above the national median — $94K here vs. $58K nationally.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for plasterers and stucco masons?
Illinois pays $94K median vs. the U.S. average of $58K — that’s +63%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $100K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do plasterers and stucco masons make in Illinois?
The median is $93,790 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,890, and experienced plasterers and stucco masons can clear $105,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,810/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 24.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a plasterers and stucco masons salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median plasterers and stucco masons salary is worth about $99,936 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do plasterers and stucco masons get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.