5321 Plasterers

In short

• ONS unit group 5321, in minor group 532 (Building finishing trades) and major group 5 (Skilled trades occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £34,200 (£17.54 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £29,500 (£15.13 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Plasterers apply dry linings, plaster and cement mixtures to walls and ceilings, fix fibrous sheets and cast and fix ornamental plasterwork to the interior or exterior of buildings.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal academic entry requirements, though GCSEs/S grades are advantageous. Entry is typically through an approved apprenticeship programme or college course in conjunction with on-the-job training, leading to a NVQ/SVQ level 2/3 qualification, or through building up work experience supplemented with short courses.

Tasks

• selects appropriate plasterboard or dry lining panels, cuts them to required size and fixes them to ceilings and walls
• mixes, or directs the mixing of, plaster to desired consistency
• applies and smooths one or more coats of plaster and produces a finished surface, using hand tools or mechanical spray
• pours liquid plaster into mould to cast ornamental plaster work
• measures, cuts, installs and secures plaster board and/or ornamental plasterwork to walls and ceilings
• covers and seals joints between boards and finishes surface
• checks surface level using line, spirit level and straight edge

Related job titles

• Dry liner
• Fibrous plasterer
• Plasterer
• Plastering contractor

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

5321 Plasterers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Dry liners
• Plasterers (wall and decorative)

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£34,200 (£17.54 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

5321 Plasterers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

5321

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Dry liners
• Plasterers (wall and decorative)

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£29,500 (£15.13 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 532

• 5322 Floorers and wall tilers
• 5323 Painters and decorators

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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