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Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

Also called: Cement Finisher, Cement Mason, Concrete Finisher, Finisher

What they do:

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.

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • building and construction

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • talking to others

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Endurance

  • exercise for a long time without getting out of breath

Controlled Movement

  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat

Physical Strength

  • use your lower back and stomach

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Persistence
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Cooperation

Project management software

  • National Concrete & Masonry Estimator
  • Tradesman's Software Master Estimator

Analytical or scientific software

  • ADAPT-Modeler
  • Shilstone seeMIX

Accounting software

  • Sirus GT Construction Accounting

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $48,300

Education

No high school diploma/GED or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.

Explore More

See other careers in the Construction industry.