[Site name]

Ceiling installer

Also called ceiling fixer, ceiling tile fixer, ceiling tile installer

Ceiling installers install ceilings in buildings. They apply different techniques as the situation requires-for example when fire resistance is especially important, or when space is needed between the dropped ceiling and the next floor-or specialise in one.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 11 countries now. 18 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)What does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,000 (Bulgaria) to €5,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)What do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational6 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training.Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)Will AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Plasterers · ILO

What you'd do

Plasterers · ILO
  • Applying one or more coats of plaster to interior walls and ceilings of buildings to produce finished surface
  • Measuring, marking and installing ornamental plaster panels, and casting and trimming ornamental plaster cornices
  • Measuring, marking and cutting plasterboard, lifting and positioning panels and securing them to walls, ceilings and battens
  • Covering joins and nail holes with wet plaster and sealing compounds, and smoothing them using wet brushes and sand paper
  • Applying protective and decorative covering of cement, plaster and similar materials to exterior building surfaces
  • Making and installing decorative plaster fixtures of fibrous plaster
  • Applying and finishing acoustic, insulating and fireproofing materials bonded with plaster, plastic cement and similar materials
Use measurement instrumentsTransport construction suppliesProtect surfaces during construction workInspect construction suppliesUse safety equipment in construction+ 10 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Mostly outdoors
  • On your feet most of the day
  • Constant contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

11 EU countries are short of plasterers now, but fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as building and related trades workers (excluding electricians) in the EU
7.48m8.08m7.63m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,849,000 replacing leavers 394,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)18
All jobs29
Right now
11 of 27 countries report a shortage of plasterers, 4 a surplus.
Plasterers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,500 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among craft and related trades workers in the EU, women earn 26% less per hour than men. Craft and related trades workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training is the usual route.

Highest qualification of building and related trades workers (excluding electricians) (EU, 2025)
Degree 7%Vocational 50%General secondary 8%Basic schooling 35%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.11 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 7 tasks
Measuring, marking and installing ornamental plaster panels, and casting and trimming ornamental plaster cornices0.14
Applying and finishing acoustic, insulating and fireproofing materials bonded with plaster, plastic cement and similar materials0.13
Making and installing decorative plaster fixtures of fibrous plaster0.12
Applying protective and decorative covering of cement, plaster and similar materials to exterior building surfaces0.11
Applying one or more coats of plaster to interior walls and ceilings of buildings to produce finished surface0.10
Measuring, marking and cutting plasterboard, lifting and positioning panels and securing them to walls, ceilings and battens0.10
Covering joins and nail holes with wet plaster and sealing compounds, and smoothing them using wet brushes and sand paper0.10

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for plasterers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).