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.
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
SOC: 47-2051 O*NET: 47-2051.00
Median Salary
$54,660
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.8%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
14.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
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 does a Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,290
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,020
25th percentile
Median
$54,660
50th percentile
Experienced
$65,840
75th percentile
Top Earners
$87,620
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,290
25th
$46,020
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$54,660
Mean: $59,360
75th
$65,840
90th
$87,620
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $49,330 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,020 and $65,840
- •Salary spread is 36.3% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 205,230 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:206,700
Top Industries
Construction93.6%
Specialty Trade Contractors69.9%
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors51.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.8%
Annual Openings:14,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)206,700
Current
2034 (Projected)210,400
+1.8%
+3,800
Employment Change
+1.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
29,030 jobs$64,2801.21x
Texas
23,820 jobs$46,7301.29x
Florida
15,000 jobs$46,4601.15x
New York
9,960 jobs$63,0200.78x
Arizona
6,440 jobs$57,3601.51x
Illinois
5,980 jobs$77,4500.74x
Ohio
5,870 jobs$62,0500.80x
Utah
5,700 jobs$55,5402.50x
Missouri
5,630 jobs$57,0501.45x
Michigan
5,500 jobs$59,1700.94x
Colorado
5,090 jobs$60,7101.32x
Washington
5,000 jobs$71,8201.06x
Indiana
4,580 jobs$59,2801.08x
Wisconsin
4,570 jobs$63,4901.18x
Virginia
4,550 jobs$48,5100.84x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Speaking
92%
#3
Time Management
86%
#4
Coordination
78%
#5
Quality Control Analysis
70%
#6
Active Listening
62%
#7
Critical Thinking
56%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
48%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.6
92%
Time Management
intermediate4.3
86%
Coordination
intermediate3.9
78%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.5
70%
Active Listening
intermediate3.1
62%
Critical Thinking
basic2.8
56%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance56%
abilities
2.8/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Air Traffic Controllers73%
5 shared skills
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers73%
5 shared skills
Quality Control Systems Managers73%
5 shared skills
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film73%
5 shared skills
Construction Managers73%
5 shared skills
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Time Management
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Time Management
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Quality Control Analysis
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Management & Supervision (2)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Planning & Development (1)
1
Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Operate power vibrator to compact concrete.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.34
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.29
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.90
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.85
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.75
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.73
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Persistence
3.9
Self-Control
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Cooperation
3.7
Initiative
3.6
Achievement/Effort
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
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