Concrete finisher
Also known as: flooring operative, concrete floor finisher and layer, layer and finisher, concrete finisher and layer, floor finisher, concrete flooring operative
About this occupation
Concrete finishers work with binding agents like cement and concrete. They put up any removable forms and pour concrete into the forms. They then execute one or several actions to finish the concrete: cutting, screeding or levelling, compacting, smoothing, and chamfering to prevent chipping.
Essential skills and knowledge
- remove concrete forms
- follow health and safety procedures in construction
- react to events in time-critical environments
- use measurement instruments
- place concrete forms
- monitor concrete curing process
- prevent damage to utility infrastructure
- inspect supplied concrete
- recognise signs of corrosion
- inspect concrete structures
- transport construction supplies
- pour concrete
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers (O*NET 47-2051.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- Less than a High School Diploma
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Monitoring, Speaking, Coordination, Quality Control Analysis, Time Management, Active Listening
US median pay: US$57,020 a year (2025), 206,170 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (3.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the 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. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Less than a High School Diploma
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the 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. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons
- Segmental Pavers
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
- Tile and Stone Setters
- Stonemasons
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
- Plasterers and Stucco Masons
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the 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. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.