Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.
Floor Sanders and Finishers
SOC: 47-2043 O*NET: 47-2043.00
Median Salary
$50,440
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.
What does a Floor Sanders and Finishers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,070
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,600
25th percentile
Median
$50,440
50th percentile
Experienced
$59,620
75th percentile
Top Earners
$70,340
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,070
25th
$41,600
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$50,440
Mean: $52,460
75th
$59,620
90th
$70,340
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $33,270 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,600 and $59,620
- •Salary spread is 35.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 3,720 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:4,700
Top Industries
Construction92.2%
Specialty Trade Contractors85.8%
Building Finishing Contractors82.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.4%
Annual Openings:300
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)4,700
Current
2035 (Projected)4,700
+1.4%
+100
Employment Change
+1.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Floor Sanders and Finishers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 23 locations
Florida
270 jobs$52,0601.15x
New York
240 jobs$60,4701.05x
North Carolina
190 jobs$39,1701.59x
Texas
140 jobs$40,1200.42x
Colorado
130 jobs$55,1801.94x
Virginia
110 jobs$46,8601.08x
Washington
90 jobs$55,6201.03x
South Carolina
60 jobs$44,3101.03x
Utah
30 jobs$74,2400.84x
Iowa
30 jobs$46,8100.91x
Pennsylvania
30 jobs$45,4500.22x
Minnesota
0 jobs$62,9400.00x
Oregon
0 jobs$62,0200.00x
Massachusetts
0 jobs$58,2300.00x
Kentucky
0 jobs$54,5800.00x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Building and Construction
100%
#2
Operation and Control
100%
#3
Arm-Hand Steadiness
100%
#4
Control Precision
92%
#5
Customer and Personal Service
88%
#6
Manual Dexterity
82%
#7
English Language
76%
#8
Trunk Strength
74%
#9
Coordination
70%
#10
Multilimb Coordination
66%
Skills Overview
Building and Construction
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advanced5.0
100%
Control Precision
advanced4.6
92%
Customer and Personal Service
intermediate4.4
88%
Manual Dexterity
intermediate4.1
82%
English Language
intermediate3.8
76%
Trunk Strength
intermediate3.7
74%
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:
Building and Construction
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Control Precision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
intermediateImportance88%
knowledge
4.4/5.0
Manual Dexterity
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance76%
knowledge
3.8/5.0
Trunk Strength
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Multilimb Coordination
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Production and Processing
intermediateImportance64%
knowledge
3.2/5.0
Near Vision
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Construction Laborers60%
3 shared skills
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders60%
3 shared skills
Dancers50%
2 shared skills
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers50%
2 shared skills
Helpers--Roofers50%
2 shared skills
Paperhangers50%
2 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Building and Construction
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Learn on the Job:
- →Production and Processing
- →Administration and Management
- →Multilimb Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Building and Construction
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Arm-Hand Steadiness
- ✓Control Precision
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Building and Construction
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Arm-Hand Steadiness
- ★Control Precision
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 Floor Sanders and Finishers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Excel
📚 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
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡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 high 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
7
Core Tasks
7
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)
1
Inspect floors for smoothness.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Scrape and sand floor edges and areas inaccessible to floor sanders, using scrapers, disk-type sanders, and sandpaper.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Guide sanding machines over surfaces of floors until surfaces are smooth.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Attach sandpaper to rollers of sanding machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Apply filler compound and coats of finish to floors to seal wood.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Remove excess glue from joints, using knives, scrapers, or wood chisels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Buff and vacuum floors to ensure their cleanliness prior to the application of finish.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •100% 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 Floor Sanders and 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?
Floor Sanders and Finishers professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Floor Sanders and Finishers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.55
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.33
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.20
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.97
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.83
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.81
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Integrity
4.3
Dependability
4.2
Independence
4.0
Initiative
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Self-Control
3.8
Cooperation
3.7
Stress Tolerance
3.7
Persistence
3.7
💡 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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Floor Sanders and Finishers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Floor Sanders and Finishers
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
1.9k program completions/year
Apex Technical School
Long Island City, NY
847 program completions/year
American River College
Sacramento, CA
792 program completions/year
J F Ingram State Technical College
Deatsville, AL
697 program completions/year
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, KY
635 program completions/year
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY
633 program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
629 program completions/year
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, KY
626 program completions/year
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL
622 program completions/year
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL
596 program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
565 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
526 program completions/year