Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

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 you'd actually do

• 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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Less than high school. Overall preparation: little or no preparation (Job Zone 1 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; much of the day is spent working solo. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 1% of cement masons and concrete finishers are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on and organized and detail-focused.

Related careers

• Structural Iron and Steel Workers
• Electricians
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
• Extraction Workers, All Other

Quick questions

How much does a cement masons and concrete finisher make?

The median pay is $27.41 per hour — roughly $57,000 a year, with the real range running from about $18.84/hr (10th percentile) to $41.10/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a cement masons and concrete finisher?

The typical entry-level education is: Less than high school. Overall preparation level: little or no preparation (Job Zone 1 of 5).

What does a cement masons and concrete finisher actually do all 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.