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.
Also called: Cement Finisher, Cement Gun Operator, Cement Mason, Cement Mason Concrete Finisher, Cement Patcher, Cementer
Median pay
$57,020
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,190 – $85,480
People employed
206,170
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 2.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 4.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 5.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 6.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 7.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 8.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers pay by state
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers salary in every state →
What cement masons and concrete finishers do
- 01Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed.
- 02Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them.
- 03Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float.
- 04Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
- 05Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge.
- 06Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
Knowledge
- English Language
- Building and Construction
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from cement masons and concrete finishers
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters85% · −17%
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining75% · +1%
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons75% · +7%
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers75% · −6%
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers74% · −16%
Change into cement masons and concrete finishers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters86% · $47,550
- Fence Erectors83% · $47,980
- Rock Splitters, Quarry82% · $48,740
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons80% · $40,470
- Helpers--Roofers79% · $44,160
Majors that lead here
- Concrete Finishing/Concrete Finisher
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.