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.
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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.

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.

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:

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

Who Employs Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers?

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

References:
Image Credit: Margo Wright via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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