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Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher

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Life As a Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher

Career Description Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.

What Do Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Polish surface, using polishing or surfacing machine.
  • Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
  • Cut out damaged areas, drill holes for reinforcing rods, and position reinforcing rods to repair concrete, using power saw and drill.
  • Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
  • Push roller over surface to embed chips in surface.
  • Apply hardening and sealing compounds to cure surface of concrete, and waterproof or restore surface.

Qualities of a Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher

Below is a list of the skills most Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers say are important on the job.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Types of Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher

  • Cement Finisher
  • Concrete Finisher
  • Cement Patcher
  • Joint Setter
  • Cement Mason Apprentice

Job Opportunities for Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 178,900 jobs in the United States for Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 22,600 new jobs for Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 22,400 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Louisiana, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher Average Salary

Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers make between $28,780 and $75,220 a year.

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Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers who work in Hawaii, New York, or Illinois, make the highest salaries.

How much do Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $38,020
Alaska $66,890
Arizona $41,750
Arkansas $36,100
California $56,890
Colorado $44,790
Connecticut $56,630
Delaware $46,810
District of Columbia $50,220
Florida $36,690
Georgia $39,180
Hawaii $75,680
Idaho $37,700
Illinois $67,700
Indiana $44,240
Iowa $41,340
Kansas $42,820
Kentucky $40,140
Maine $40,880
Maryland $47,110
Massachusetts $58,760
Michigan $46,750
Minnesota $52,460
Mississippi $34,570
Missouri $55,270
Montana $44,780
Nebraska $38,220
Nevada $51,600
New Jersey $60,410
New Mexico $38,720
New York $72,610
North Carolina $38,380
North Dakota $48,280
Ohio $47,840
Oklahoma $36,700
Oregon $49,880
Pennsylvania $49,360
Rhode Island $44,070
South Carolina $37,670
South Dakota $37,380
Tennessee $37,360
Texas $36,760
Utah $41,070
Vermont $42,050
Virginia $43,040
Washington $61,090
West Virginia $44,240
Wisconsin $51,300
Wyoming $41,800

What Tools do Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers:

  • Tradesman’s Software Master Estimator

How do I Become a Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher?

Individuals working as a Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher have obtained the following education levels:

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What work experience do I need to become a Cement Mason or Concrete Finisher?

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Who Employs Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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References:

Image Credit: Margo Wright via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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