# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cement-masons-and-concrete-finishers
- SOC code: 47-2051.00
- Career family: Construction and extraction
- Median annual pay: $57,020 (10th percentile $39,190, 90th percentile $85,480)
- Projected growth: Slower than average, +1.6%
- Openings a year: 13,600
- Typical entry education: No formal credential
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 22 |
| Artistic (A) | 11 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 38 |

## What you'd do

- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 83/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 83/100)
- Getting Information (importance 81/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 80/100)
- Scheduling Work and Activities (importance 80/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 79/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 79/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 77/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 73/100)
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (importance 69/100)

## Skills

Monitoring, Coordination, Quality Control Analysis, Speaking, Time Management, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Operation and Control

## Knowledge

English Language, Building and Construction, Mathematics, Public Safety and Security, Mechanical, Administration and Management, Transportation, Customer and Personal Service, Education and Training, Foreign Language

## Also called

Cement Finisher, Cement Gun Operator, Cement Mason, Cement Mason Concrete Finisher, Cement Patcher, Cementer, Column Precaster, Concrete Construction Laborer, Concrete Cutter, Concrete Cutting Operator

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4604) (CIP 4604, 319 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Utah Valley University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/utah-valley-university-3103) | Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $82,443 | $97,793 | $11,042 |
| [The University of Texas at San Antonio](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio-2767) | Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $74,627 | $90,691 | $17,750 |
| [Tuskegee University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/tuskegee-university-2832) | Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $74,054 | $87,107 | not reported |
| [Pennsylvania College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pennsylvania-college-of-technology-2096) | Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $69,819 | $74,310 | $27,000 |

## Related careers

- [Terrazzo Workers and Finishers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/terrazzo-workers-and-finishers): $76,170 median pay
- [Construction Laborers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/construction-laborers): $47,120 median pay
- [Brickmasons and Blockmasons](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/brickmasons-and-blockmasons): $62,120 median pay
- [Segmental Pavers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/segmental-pavers): $49,910 median pay
- [Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-brickmasons-blockmasons-stonemasons-and-tile-and-marble-setters): $47,550 median pay
- [Tile and Stone Setters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tile-and-stone-setters): $55,690 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.