Occupation · SOC 47-2051
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 wage
$54,660
$38,290–$87,620
Projected growth
+1.8%
Slower than average
Annual openings
380
per year
Employed (US)
205,230
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
18 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringCoordinationQuality Control AnalysisSpeakingTime ManagementActive ListeningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
English LanguageBuilding and ConstructionPublic Safety and SecurityMathematics
Technology & tools
Information retrieval or search softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareProject management softwareAccounting software
Representative tasks
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.Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it.Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.Apply hardening and sealing compounds to cure surface of concrete, and waterproof or restore surface.Operate power vibrator to compact concrete.Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills and other fixtures in freshly poured concrete or pattern or stamp the surface to provide a decorative finish.Wet surface to prepare for bonding, fill holes and cracks with grout or slurry, and smooth, using trowel.Waterproof or restore concrete surfaces, using appropriate compounds.Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine.Chip, scrape, and grind high spots, ridges, and rough projections to finish concrete, using pneumatic chisels, power grinders, or hand tools.Cut out damaged areas, drill holes for reinforcing rods, and position reinforcing rods to repair concrete, using power saw and drill.Wet concrete surface, and rub with stone to smooth surface and obtain specified finish.Build wooden molds, and clamp molds around area to be repaired, using hand tools.Clean chipped area, using wire brush, and feel and observe surface to determine if it is rough or uneven.Sprinkle colored marble or stone chips, powdered steel, or coloring powder over surface to produce prescribed finish.Fabricate concrete beams, columns, and panels.Polish surface, using polishing or surfacing machine.Cut metal division strips, and press them into terrazzo base so that top edges form desired design or pattern.Push roller over surface to embed chips in surface.Apply muriatic acid to clean surface, and rinse with water.Spread roofing paper on surface of foundation, and spread concrete onto roofing paper with trowel to form terrazzo base.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Concrete forms — inspect under direct supervision to confirm proper construction and alignment on a residential job site.Hand tools and basic finishing equipment — identify and retrieve correctly when directed by a lead mason on a poured-slab project.Concrete surface — spread and roughly level using a rake or shovel under close guidance on a small commercial pour.Edging tools and jointers — apply along slab borders following step-by-step instruction from a journeyman mason.Truck positioning signals — relay basic hand signals to a driver under supervisor direction to facilitate concrete chute placement.Weather conditions — recognize how heat, cold, or wind may affect fresh concrete when prompted by a crew lead during a pour.Safety protocols — follow established site safety and public security rules under supervision on an active construction site.Broom finish technique — produce a basic rough surface texture on a freshly poured slab with direct coaching provided.Tape measures and depth gauges — use to confirm form depth and pitch readings when assigned by a lead cement mason.Verbal instructions — listen actively and respond accurately to task directions given by supervisors during daily concrete operations.
developing
Concrete forms — set, align, and adjust independently to the specified pitch and depth on standard residential and light commercial pours.Power trowel and hand screed — operate routinely to spread, level, and smooth concrete surfaces with minimal supervisor oversight.Expansion joints and edges — mold consistently using edging tools, jointers, and a straightedge on sidewalk and driveway projects.Curing environment — monitor wind, temperature, and humidity conditions throughout a pour and apply standard protective measures as needed.Concrete truck chute — direct positioning and movement to guide material flow accurately into forms on a mid-size job site.Broom and float finishing — select and apply appropriate finishing tools to achieve specified surface textures on varied concrete placements.Work sequencing — manage personal time effectively to keep pace with pour schedules and avoid premature curing on routine jobs.Laborer coordination — guide crew members using shovels and spreading tools to distribute concrete evenly under general supervision.Quality checks — conduct visual and dimensional inspections of finished surfaces and flag defects for correction before project sign-off.Trade terminology — communicate clearly with crew members and forepersons using accurate construction vocabulary on active job sites.
proficient
Complex form systems — evaluate, construct, and align forms for irregular or large-scale pours autonomously, ensuring structural and dimensional accuracy.Full finishing sequence — execute spreading, leveling, troweling, floating, and brooming across the complete scope of a commercial slab project without oversight.Non-routine surface defects — diagnose causes such as bleed water, aggregate exposure, or cracking and apply corrective finishing techniques independently.Environmental curing management — adjust finishing schedules, apply curing compounds, and deploy protective covers in response to changing weather throughout an entire project.Expansion joint layout — calculate and mold joint placement to control cracking based on slab dimensions, load requirements, and mix specifications.Concrete placement coordination — direct truck drivers, pump operators, and laborers simultaneously to achieve efficient and accurate material distribution on complex pours.Project management software — use digital scheduling and tracking tools to monitor pour timelines, material deliveries, and crew assignments across multiple active sites.Critical problem solving — identify and resolve mid-pour issues such as premature stiffening or form failure using sound judgment under time pressure.Inspection standards — apply building and construction knowledge to verify finished work meets municipal codes and client specifications before project closeout.Safety hazard identification — proactively assess and address slip, chemical exposure, and equipment risks to protect crew and public on job sites.
advanced
Crew supervision strategy — establish performance expectations, assign tasks, and develop the skills of cement masons and laborers across multiple concurrent projects.Form design review — lead pre-pour planning sessions to evaluate form engineering, pitch calculations, and alignment plans submitted by field crews.Quality assurance program — develop and implement site-wide concrete finishing standards and inspection checklists to ensure consistent output across an organization.Environmental risk protocols — author and enforce curing management procedures for extreme weather scenarios, serving as the technical authority for the entire field operation.Analytical and scientific software — interpret concrete mix analysis and structural data to advise project engineers on finishing feasibility and schedule risk.Estimating and project planning — use project management and accounting software to forecast labor, material, and equipment costs for large-scale concrete construction bids.Mentorship and training — design and deliver structured on-the-job training programs that advance emerging masons through apprenticeship milestones and certification requirements.Cross-trade coordination — represent the masonry crew in pre-construction meetings with general contractors, engineers, and inspectors to align schedules and technical requirements.Organizational safety leadership — establish and champion public safety and site security policies that meet or exceed regulatory requirements across a construction company's projects.Complex problem resolution — lead root-cause analysis of systemic quality failures, develop corrective action plans, and communicate findings to executive and client stakeholders.
Also known as
66 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Builder (Navy 002594)Curb BuilderCement FinisherConcrete RubberUtilities Officer (Marine Corps 1120)Concrete SetterJoint SetterConstruction Engineering Technician (Army 120A)Combat Engineer Officer (Marine Corps 1302)Wheeled Vehicle Repairer (Army 91B)Concrete PolisherCementerAssistant Public Works Officer (Navy 4260)Cement Mason Concrete FinisherCombat Engineer (Marine Corps 1371)Concrete PointerConcrete FloaterConcrete LaborerConcrete Form SetterConcrete FinisherSwimming Pool InstallerConcrete MasonMaterial Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)Concrete SmootherConcrete Fence BuilderConcrete CutterPublic Works Officer (Navy 4250)Column PrecasterPavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman (Air Force 3E251)Carpentry and Masonry Specialist (Army 12W)Facilities Construction/Facilities Services Officer (Navy 4230)Seabee Technical Security Specialist (STSS) (Navy B19A)Maintenance Technician (Navy 003763)Pavements and Construction Equipment Helper (Air Force 3E211)FinisherConcrete Cutting OperatorBridge Crewmember (Army 12C)Concrete and Asphalt Equipment Operator (Army 12V)Concrete Swimming Pool InstallerDamage Controlman (Coast Guard DC)