Employers

The majority of lathers work for lathing and plastering contractors on new residential, commercial, or industrial construction. More opportunities are available in metropolitan and other urban areas. In rural areas, lathing is often performed by carpenters or painters.

Starting Out

An apprenticeship program is the most common route to a lathing job. If you wish to become an apprentice, contact lathing and plastering contractors, your state's apprenticeship agency, or an appropriate local union headquarters, such as the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

You can also enter the field directly as an on-the-job trainee. In this case, contact contractors directly to see if you can begin work as a helper.

After increasing their skill and efficiency for several years, professional lathers have various promotional opportunities open to them. They may specialize in working with a specific lathing material. If they have good judgment, planning skills, and the ability to deal effectively with people, lathers can be promoted to leadership positions such as supervisor, job superintendent, or cost estimator. Lathers who have enough financial resources and business knowledge can eventually go into business for themselves and become independent contractors.

Participate in an apprenticeship or work as a helper to prepare for the field.

Talk with lathers about their careers. Ask them for advice on preparing for and entering the field.

Join the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades to increase your chances of landing a job and receiving fair pay for your work.