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Cement mason vs construction assistant

The differences between cement masons and construction assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a construction assistant has an average salary of $39,072, which is higher than the $38,433 average annual salary of a cement mason.

The top three skills for a cement mason include hand tools, sidewalks and expansion joints. The most important skills for a construction assistant are safety procedures, construction projects, and general contractors.

Cement mason vs construction assistant overview

Cement MasonConstruction Assistant
Yearly salary$38,433$39,072
Hourly rate$18.48$18.78
Growth rate-2%4%
Number of jobs15,73731,209
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4039
Years of experience--

What does a cement mason do?

A cement mason plays a vital role in every construction project. They specialize in pouring, spreading, forming, and even finishing cement in areas such as floors, ceilings, walls, and roads, ensuring procedures adhere to project guidelines and industry standards. They are also responsible for conducting measurements and other assessments, mixing cement, installing materials such as bolts and rebars to strengthen the cement, and applying compounds such as sealants and waterproofing mixtures. Moreover, a cement mason must maintain an open and transparent communication line with managers and co-workers for an efficient and safe workflow.

What does a construction assistant do?

A construction assistant performs various clerical and operational support tasks to assist construction managers and maintain smooth workflow operations. Their responsibilities usually include monitoring budgets and costs, handling calls and correspondence, purchasing construction materials according to project requirements, liaising with suppliers and construction contractors, and participating in managing the schedules and activities of the workers. A construction assistant may also perform inspections to identify problem areas and ensure that all procedures adhere to the safety codes and standards.

Cement mason vs construction assistant salary

Cement masons and construction assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cement MasonConstruction Assistant
Average salary$38,433$39,072
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $63,000Between $28,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSpringfield, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkHawaii
Best paying companyDLR GroupBeazer Homes
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between cement mason and construction assistant education

There are a few differences between a cement mason and a construction assistant in terms of educational background:

Cement MasonConstruction Assistant
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorMasonryBusiness
Most common college--

Cement mason vs construction assistant demographics

Here are the differences between cement masons' and construction assistants' demographics:

Cement MasonConstruction Assistant
Average age4039
Gender ratioMale, 92.9% Female, 7.1%Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 29.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 30.8% Asian, 2.4% White, 50.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between cement mason and construction assistant duties and responsibilities

Cement mason example responsibilities.

  • Set and brick in incinerators.
  • Form straight curb and gutter and roll curb and gutter.
  • Dig, spread, and levele dirt and gravel, using picks and shovels.
  • Haul concrete and dirt using dump truck, operate tow trailer, operate bobcat and tractor.
  • Pour cement, form setting, tractor grading, dig outs, used level instrument to set grades ,
  • Ensure the historical integrity of properties through application of masonry techniques and detail cosmetic repairs.
  • Show more

Construction assistant example responsibilities.

  • Fix electrical fixtures and manage plumbing problems effectively.
  • Employ a wide verity of hand and power tools including hoists, drills, precision measuring instruments and electronic testing devices.
  • Negotiate material sales contracts, document historical information, provide earned value management, and safety oversight for projects/programs.
  • Prepare plans and specifications for new and existing housing, supervise sub-contractors to insure compliance with HUD requirements.

Cement mason vs construction assistant skills

Common cement mason skills
  • Hand Tools, 18%
  • Sidewalks, 17%
  • Expansion Joints, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 6%
  • Construction Projects, 6%
  • Screeds, 5%
Common construction assistant skills
  • Safety Procedures, 15%
  • Construction Projects, 11%
  • General Contractors, 7%
  • Drywall Installation, 7%
  • Equipment Operators, 4%
  • Manual Labor, 4%

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