What Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "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"; "Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge"; "Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 204,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 208,100 in 2035, an increase of 3,300 jobs (+1.6%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 13,600 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.6% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $57,020, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers earn the most
Across the 4 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $47,306 in Texas to $64,880 in New York, a gap of $17,574 (1.37 times). 3 of those 4 states average above the BLS national median of $57,020 and 1 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 28,230, which is 37.5% of the 75,260 counted across them. Texas follows with 25,720.
Highest-paying states
New York ($64,880), New Jersey ($64,773) and California ($64,044) lead the ranking, while Texas ($47,306) and California ($64,044) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 5 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $21,344. The smallest margin is $10,858 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 5 of the 5 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 38.2% and 63.3% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (47-2000) include Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, Electricians, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators and Carpenters.
Frequently asked questions about Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
What is the national median wage for Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $57,020. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $47,306 to $64,880.
Which state pays Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $64,880. New Jersey is next at $64,773.
What is the job outlook for Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 1.6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,600 openings a year.
What education do Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $21,344 on a median wage of $65,670.