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Skilled Trades

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$57,020

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$39k – $85k

Job outlook

+2% (about average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

    Entry / Junior

    $39,190

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

    Established

    $57,020

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

    Senior

    $71,250

Key skills

A typical 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.
  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

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