Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between cement finishers and tool makers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a tool maker has an average salary of $52,443, which is higher than the $37,711 average annual salary of a cement finisher.
The top three skills for a cement finisher include sidewalks, finishers and construction sites. The most important skills for a tool maker are grinders, jigs, and hand tools.
| Cement Finisher | Tool Maker | |
| Yearly salary | $37,711 | $52,443 |
| Hourly rate | $18.13 | $25.21 |
| Growth rate | -2% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 10,084 | 18,166 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 59% | Associate Degree, 37% |
| Average age | 40 | 54 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
A cement finisher specializes in smoothing and leveling surfaces covered with freshly poured cement while adhering to construction guidelines and project specifications. They are responsible for coordinating with managers and fellow construction workers, understanding project guidelines, utilizing tools and equipment, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. There are also times when they must apply bolts, steel, hardening solutions, and other materials as necessary. Moreover, a cement finisher usually works alongside cement masons, which requires an open and transparent communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
The job of a toolmaker is to make precision tools, holding devices, and special guides that are used in the manufacturing process. You will be responsible for repairing, maintaining, and improving jigs, fixtures, and fittings for press tools and all tooling dies, conducting routine regrinding and servicing of tools, and ensuring compliance with all quality standard regulations. In addition, you may be tasked to operate lifting equipment and forklift truck and document die history and other relevant records. You will also be responsible for conducting preventative maintenance.
Cement finishers and tool makers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cement Finisher | Tool Maker | |
| Average salary | $37,711 | $52,443 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $60,000 | Between $40,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pittsburgh, PA | Sterling Heights, MI |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Hensel Phelps | General Electric |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a cement finisher and a tool maker in terms of educational background:
| Cement Finisher | Tool Maker | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 59% | Associate Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cement finishers' and tool makers' demographics:
| Cement Finisher | Tool Maker | |
| Average age | 40 | 54 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 28.2% Asian, 0.9% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% | Black or African American, 2.4% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 84.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 3% |