What Does it Take to Be a Floor Sander and Finisher?
Floor Sander & Finisher Job Description Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.
A Day in the Life of a Floor Sander & Finisher
- Scrape and sand floor edges and areas inaccessible to floor sanders, using scrapers, disk-type sanders, and sandpaper.
- Guide sanding machines over surfaces of floors until surfaces are smooth.
- Apply filler compound and coats of finish to floors to seal wood.
- Attach sandpaper to rollers of sanding machines.
- Inspect floors for smoothness.
- Remove excess glue from joints, using knives, scrapers, or wood chisels.
Featured schools near , edit
Floor Sander & Finisher Required Skills
Floor Sanders and Finishers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Floor Sanding Machine Operator
- Wood Floor Refinisher
- Floor Scraper
- Floor Finisher
- Floor Refinisher
Job Demand for Floor Sanders and Finishers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 7,300 jobs in the United States for Floor Sander and Finisher. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 600 new jobs for Floor Sander and Finisher by 2026. The BLS estimates 700 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Floor Sander & Finisher are Colorado, Arizona, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Tennessee, Maryland, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Floor Sander & Finisher Average Salary
The salary for Floor Sanders and Finishers ranges between about $25,380 and $56,850 a year.

Floor Sanders and Finishers who work in Illinois, California, or New York, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Floor Sanders and Finishers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Arkansas | $33,470 |
California | $50,470 |
Colorado | $35,540 |
Delaware | $39,770 |
Illinois | $62,090 |
Maryland | $40,120 |
Massachusetts | $38,480 |
Michigan | $43,570 |
Missouri | $30,970 |
Nebraska | $34,300 |
Nevada | $36,890 |
New Hampshire | $39,140 |
New Jersey | $50,360 |
New York | $45,950 |
North Carolina | $31,180 |
Ohio | $41,620 |
Oregon | $41,680 |
Pennsylvania | $37,350 |
Tennessee | $38,200 |
Texas | $40,940 |
Virginia | $37,900 |
Washington | $50,160 |
Wisconsin | $37,570 |
What Tools do Floor Sanders and Finishers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Floor Sanders and Finishers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Flooring Technologies QFloors
- FloorCOST Estimator for Excel
- Saltire Software FloorRight
- Floor planning software
How do I Become a Floor Sander & Finisher?
Education needed to be a Floor Sander and Finisher:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Floor Sanders and Finishers Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Floor Sanders and Finishers employed by various industries.

References:
Image Credit: Margo Wright via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |