Construction & Extraction
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Also called: Cement Finisher, Cement Mason, Concrete Finisher, Concrete Mason
US median pay
$57,020
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.6%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
13,600
204,800 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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 they do day to day
- Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed.
- Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them.
- Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float.
- Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
- Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge.
- Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
- Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it.
- Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
- Apply hardening and sealing compounds to cure surface of concrete, and waterproof or restore surface.
- Operate power vibrator to compact concrete.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Operation and Control2.9/5
- Operations Monitoring2.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.5/5
Knowledge
- English Language3.7/5
- Building and Construction3.5/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
- Mathematics3.1/5
- Mechanical2.6/5
- Administration and Management2.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Less than high school52%
- High school diploma35%
- Post-secondary certificate13%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.