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
MonitoringTime ManagementSpeakingQuality Control AnalysisCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningOperation and ControlOperations MonitoringMathematicsSocial PerceptivenessManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingTroubleshootingReading ComprehensionLearning StrategiesService OrientationPersuasionEquipment SelectionActive LearningWritingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisNegotiationEquipment MaintenanceRepairingManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesOperations AnalysisInstallationScienceProgramming
Knowledge areas
English LanguageBuilding and ConstructionPublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsMechanicalAdministration and ManagementTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingForeign LanguageDesignProduction and ProcessingComputers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsChemistryPersonnel and Human ResourcesLaw and GovernmentPhysicsGeographyTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistrySales and MarketingPsychologyEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaAdministrativeEngineering and TechnologyFood ProductionSociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyBiologyPhilosophy and TheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
ACT Contractors FormsADAPT-ModelerHIPERPAVHard Dollar HD Project EstimatingLogicSphere FirstmixMaxwell Systems Quest EstimatorNational Concrete & Masonry EstimatorShilstone seeMIXSirus GT Construction AccountingTradesman's Software Master Estimator
Representative tasks
Handling and Moving ObjectsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsGetting InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentDeveloping and Building TeamsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProcessing InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCoaching and Developing OthersThinking CreativelyDocumenting/Recording InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesTraining and Teaching OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesAnalyzing Data or InformationStaffing Organizational UnitsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentPerforming Administrative ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicWorking with Computers
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
37 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Cement FinisherCement Gun OperatorCement MasonCement Mason Concrete FinisherCement PatcherCementerColumn PrecasterConcrete Construction LaborerConcrete CutterConcrete Cutting OperatorConcrete Fence BuilderConcrete FinisherConcrete FloaterConcrete Floor InstallerConcrete Form SetterConcrete Grinder OperatorConcrete LaborerConcrete MasonConcrete Placement Equipment OperatorConcrete PointerConcrete PolisherConcrete RubberConcrete SetterConcrete SmootherConcrete SpecialistConcrete Stone FinisherConcrete Swimming Pool InstallerConcrete Technician (Concrete Tech)Curb BuilderFinisherFloat OperatorFloor GrinderJoint FinisherJoint SetterMasonPlacement SpecialistSwimming Pool Installer