What does a cement finisher do?
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.
Cement finisher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real cement finisher resumes:
- Construct formwork for concrete sidewalk, curb, and flatwork.
- Build roads, floors and sidewalks, collaborate with workers to ensure smooth work flow and efficient organization
- Employ a wide variety of hand and power tools including hoists, drills, precision measuring instruments.
- Assist with project pursuits and evaluation of structural concrete scope assuring appropriate manpower, formwork, and sequencing.
- Work consisted of new concrete work on sidewalks, curb and gutters, outside lighting columns, and interior slabs.
- Assist ICM with project management responsibilities and updating and editing documentation for ISO compliance.
- Work with sovels, rakes, brooms, etc.
- Skil at plastering, especially in large business settings with elevate areas.
Cement finisher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Cement Finishers are proficient in Sidewalks, Finishers, and Construction Sites. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Dexterity, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Cement Finishers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Sidewalks, 18%
Supervised Labor Foreman and Laborers on construction and maintenance for city sidewalks, curbs and gutters.
- Finishers, 12%
Trained and managed 10 finishers and achieved significant improvements in their productivity.
- Construction Sites, 11%
Led developments and staff logistics by acting as a go-to at construction sites; received noteworthy praise on tasks.
- Smooth Surfaces, 7%
Wet concrete surface, and rub with stone to smooth surface and obtain specified finish.
- Expansion Joints, 5%
Molded expansion joints and edges.
- Rebar, 5%
Build steel cage made of rebar, to be placed inside metal forms to build various sized bridges.
Common skills that a cement finisher uses to do their job include "sidewalks," "finishers," and "construction sites." You can find details on the most important cement finisher responsibilities below.
Color vision. The most essential soft skill for a cement finisher to carry out their responsibilities is color vision. This skill is important for the role because "masonry workers need to be able to distinguish between small variations in color when setting terrazzo patterns in order to produce the best looking finish." Additionally, a cement finisher resume shows how their duties depend on color vision: "color coded all tools and made sure everybody was in compliance with osha standards. "
Dexterity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling cement finisher duties is dexterity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "masonry workers must be able to place bricks, stones, and other materials with precision." According to a cement finisher resume, here's how cement finishers can utilize dexterity in their job responsibilities: "experience on some machines such as trowel machines, skid steers, ghel, and forklifts"
Physical strength. This is an important skill for cement finishers to perform their duties. For an example of how cement finisher responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "masonry workers should be able to lift more than 50 pounds." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a cement finisher: "perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. ".
The three companies that hire the most cement finishers are:
- Hensel Phelps6 cement finishers jobs
- McCarthy Holdings, Inc.3 cement finishers jobs
- City of Cincinnati2 cement finishers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable cement finisher resume templates
Build a professional cement finisher resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your cement finisher resume.
Compare different cement finishers
Cement finisher vs. Prestressed concrete labour
Prestressed concrete labor works at construction sites where they are in charge of handling and processing prestressed concrete materials into structural forms. They typically coordinate with managers and engineers to learn the construction plans and guidelines, design and build structures, prepare materials, and perform corrective measures when necessary. They must also maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating regularly. Moreover, prestressed concrete labor must abide by the construction site's safety policies and regulations for a safe and efficient work environment.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, cement finisher responsibilities require skills like "drivers license," "smooth surfaces," "rebar," and "dig." Meanwhile a typical prestressed concrete labour has skills in areas such as "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "physical labor," and "scaffolding." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Prestressed concrete labours earn the highest salaries when working in the construction industry, with an average yearly salary of $38,973. On the other hand, cement finishers are paid more in the construction industry with an average salary of $42,048.On average, prestressed concrete labours reach similar levels of education than cement finishers. Prestressed concrete labours are 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Cement finisher vs. Concrete mason
Each career also uses different skills, according to real cement finisher resumes. While cement finisher responsibilities can utilize skills like "sidewalks," "finishers," "drivers license," and "smooth surfaces," concrete masons use skills like "manual labor," "design," "demo," and "commercial buildings."
Concrete masons may earn a higher salary than cement finishers, but concrete masons earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $42,848. On the other hand, cement finishers receive higher pay in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $42,048.concrete masons earn similar levels of education than cement finishers in general. They're 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cement finisher vs. Concrete worker
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from cement finisher resumes include skills like "drivers license," "smooth surfaces," "rebar," and "bull float," whereas a concrete worker is more likely to list skills in "work ethic," "safety procedures," "tape measure," and "tie rebar. "
Concrete workers earn the best pay in the construction industry, where they command an average salary of $42,953. Cement finishers earn the highest pay from the construction industry, with an average salary of $42,048.concrete workers typically earn similar educational levels compared to cement finishers. Specifically, they're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cement finisher vs. Concrete floor installer
Types of cement finisher
Updated January 8, 2025
