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.
Cement mason responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real cement mason resumes:
- 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.
- Spread roofing paper on surface of foundation and spread concrete onto roofing paper with trowel to form terrazzo base.
- Operate bobcats and mini-escacavators when require for specific jobs.
- Mix mortar, bricklaying, concrete block laying, and organize equipment and tools.
Cement mason skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Cement Masons are proficient in Hand Tools, Sidewalks, and Expansion Joints. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Dexterity, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Cement Masons that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 18%
Concrete flat work o Utilized tools of the trade including power tools and hand tools o Followed industry standards and blue prints
- Sidewalks, 17%
Job duties also included forming, pouring and finishing driveways, sidewalks patios, curb gutter, throats and tops.
- Expansion Joints, 8%
Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; use saws to cut expansion joints.
- Tape Measure, 6%
Formed and poured concrete, using tape measure, string line, screw gun Construct footings.
- Construction Projects, 6%
served as a cement mason, job entails placing, finishing, protecting and repairing concrete in engineering and construction projects.
- Screeds, 5%
Direct pouring stamps, screeds, floats; and prepares for finishing troweling and edging.
Most cement masons use their skills in "hand tools," "sidewalks," and "expansion joints" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential cement mason responsibilities here:
Color vision. One of the key soft skills for a cement mason to have is color vision. You can see how this relates to what cement masons do 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 mason resume shows how cement masons use color vision: "stamped and colored concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios and commercial floors. "
Dexterity. Another essential skill to perform cement mason duties is dexterity. Cement masons responsibilities require that "masonry workers must be able to place bricks, stones, and other materials with precision." Cement masons also use dexterity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "used groovers and hand trowels to spread concrete lifted heavy objects and tear out old concrete"
Physical strength. cement masons are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to cement mason responsibilities, because "masonry workers should be able to lift more than 50 pounds." A cement mason resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "experienced in performing physical tasks involved in building forms, digging trenches, setting forms and pouring/finishing concrete. "
The three companies that hire the most cement masons are:
- Fisher Industries5 cement masons jobs
- Fort Myer Construction Company3 cement masons jobs
- Garco Construction3 cement masons jobs
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Cement mason vs. Drywall finisher
As a part of the construction team, the drywall finisher is the last to touch the product and place pieces, paint, and decorations for the final look. Also, they are to put premade walls on surfaces. Drywall finishers cut out the excess, position it properly, and fasten it to the interior for a glossy finish. As it is, drywall finishers must have a great sense of focus to grasp the instructions given to avoid mistakes. They must communicate well with others on the team to finish the project entirely and perfectly.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between cement masons and drywall finisher. For instance, cement mason responsibilities require skills such as "sidewalks," "expansion joints," "screeds," and "jointers." Whereas a drywall finisher is skilled in "ladders," "scaffolding," "texture," and "work ethic." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Drywall finishers really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $54,125. Comparatively, cement masons tend to make the most money in the construction industry with an average salary of $45,442.drywall finishers tend to reach similar levels of education than cement masons. In fact, drywall finishers are 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Cement mason 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that cement mason responsibilities requires skills like "defective spots," "epoxy compound," "steel plates," and "site work." But a prestressed concrete labour might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "scaffolding," and "demolition."
Prestressed concrete labours may earn a lower salary than cement masons, but prestressed concrete labours earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $38,973. On the other hand, cement masons receive higher pay in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $45,442.prestressed concrete labours earn similar levels of education than cement masons in general. They're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cement mason vs. Construction assistant
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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a cement mason is likely to be skilled in "hand tools," "sidewalks," "expansion joints," and "tape measure," while a typical construction assistant is skilled in "safety procedures," "general contractors," "drywall installation," and "equipment operators."
Construction assistants make a very good living in the construction industry with an average annual salary of $59,937. On the other hand, cement masons are paid the highest salary in the construction industry, with average annual pay of $45,442.Most construction assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to cement masons. For example, they're 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cement mason vs. Construction inspector
A construction inspector is an individual who is responsible for inspecting construction sites to ensure that these sites are following local and building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. Construction inspectors use survey equipment, metering devices, and test equipment to perform inspections of plumbing, electrical and other systems within the construction. They approve building plans that are satisfactory and issue violation notices and stop orders when there are violations. Construction inspectors also keep photographs taken during inspections and provide written documentation.
Types of cement mason
Updated January 8, 2025











