Plasterer: how busy are plasterers?
No trend data yet No verified wait-time figure. Plastering businesses fell 9% year on year in Markel's analysis; CITB needs 590 extra plasterers a year.
No verified wait-time figure yet; tell us yours.
The figures
| Where | Measure | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Extra workers needed per year, 2026-2030 CITB group: Plasterers | 590 workers per year | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Extra workers needed per year (% of workforce) CITB group: Plasterers | 1.3% | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Change in number of businesses, year on year Plastering businesses, year-on-year change (largest decline) | -9% | Year to mid-2025 | Markel Direct via Fix Radio, 15 Jul 2025 |
| UK | Workforce, 2025 CITB group: Plasterers | 47,020 workers | 2025 actual | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Workforce forecast, 2030 CITB group: Plasterers | 48,090 workers | 2030 forecast | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| England | Experienced salary | £38,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
| England | Starter salary | £21,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
Industry backdrop
Across construction, most demand signals point quieter: PMI 43.6 in October 2026 and builders' enquiries at -10 in H1 2026. See all demand signals.
Getting into the trade
- Apprenticeship: Plasterer (Level 2) / Craft Plasterer (Level 3)
- College course, then a trainee role
- Start as an assistant or mate and train on the job
- Private adult courses for career-changers (below)
Routes: National Careers Service job profile
| Provider | Course | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Able Skills | City & Guilds Plastering Course | £1,895 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Introduction to Plastering | £525 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Advanced Plastering Course | £795 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Extended Plastering Programme | £2,495 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Plastering Course with Training for NVQ Level 2 | £3,295 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | 3 Week DIY Plastering Course | £1,495 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Extended Dry Lining, Taping & Jointing Programme | £1,895 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Dry Lining/Taping & Jointing Course | £525 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Introduction to Rendering | £525 inc VAT |
Prices as published on providers' sites, checked 10 November 2026. Listing is not an endorsement, and no provider has paid to appear.
Common questions
How long is the wait for plasterers?
We haven't yet found a verified, published wait-time figure for plasterers specifically. Our tradesperson poll will add one. For urgent repairs of any kind, Markel Direct's survey found waits of 3 to 10 days depending on the city.
Source: Markel Direct via Fix Radio, 15 Jul 2025
Are plasterers getting busier or quieter?
We don't have a trade-specific trend yet. No verified wait-time figure. Plastering businesses fell 9% year on year in Markel's analysis; CITB needs 590 extra plasterers a year. Across construction as a whole, most indicators point quieter: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026.
Source: Markel Direct via Fix Radio, 15 Jul 2025; CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026; S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026
Is there a shortage of plasterers?
CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook says the UK needs about 590 extra plasterers a year from 2026 to 2030 to cover growth and people leaving, around 1.3% of the current workforce each year.
Source: CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026