Concrete finisher vs construction inspector

The differences between concrete finishers and construction inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a construction inspector has an average salary of $52,306, which is higher than the $40,674 average annual salary of a concrete finisher.

The top three skills for a concrete finisher include hand tools, work ethic and finishers. The most important skills for a construction inspector are asphalt, ACI, and construction inspection.

Concrete finisher vs construction inspector overview

	Concrete Finisher	Construction Inspector
Yearly salary	$40,674	$52,306
Hourly rate	$19.55	$25.15
Growth rate	-2%	-4%
Number of jobs	15,309	42,007
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	40	50
Years of experience	-	6

What does a concrete finisher do?

A concrete finisher is responsible for smoothing out concrete surfaces, ensuring that the final result followed the design and client's specifications. Concrete finishers operate special construction equipment to stabilize concrete forms. They also analyze blueprints and construction plans to identify necessary techniques and adjustments to deliver a high-quality project. A concrete finisher must also observe strict safety guidelines and procedures for doing the task and making sure that all tools are maintained. A concrete finisher must show excellent time-management, as well as the ability to multi-task to perform duties within a fast-paced environment.

What does a construction inspector do?

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.

Concrete finisher vs construction inspector salary

Concrete finishers and construction inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Concrete Finisher	Construction Inspector
Average salary	$40,674	$52,306
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $62,000	Between $36,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	Spokane, WA	Oakland, CA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	California
Best paying company	Fluor	Orange County Sanitation District
Best paying industry	Construction	Professional

Differences between concrete finisher and construction inspector education

There are a few differences between a concrete finisher and a construction inspector in terms of educational background:

	Concrete Finisher	Construction Inspector
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Business	Civil Engineering
Most common college	-	San Diego State University

Concrete finisher vs construction inspector demographics

Here are the differences between concrete finishers' and construction inspectors' demographics:

	Concrete Finisher	Construction Inspector
Average age	40	50
Gender ratio	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%	Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 26.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	5%

Differences between concrete finisher and construction inspector duties and responsibilities

Concrete finisher example responsibilities.

Finish concrete structures using trowels, floats, straight edges, joiners, and screeds to obtain require texture and contour.
Replace and repair concrete or asphalt; framing; leveling; skil at using backhoe; bobcat; and whacker packer.
Rig or dismantle props or equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools.
Clean hand tools, set up scaffolding for masonry jobs, mix mortar and keep everyone supply with block and brick.
Follow safety guidelines * add icing to cook product * prepare donuts to get ship * clean work area
Used edging tools, jointers, brooms.

Construction inspector example responsibilities.

Manage cad files and plotting operations, as cad manager.
Monitor new field inspector's performance and lead them into Bechtel's management program.
Manage and inspect fiber optic cable placement, fiber drop installations and associate construction activities for an assign OSP project.
Coordinate, manage, and conduct geotechnical engineering and engineering geology subsurface investigations.
Comply with fra, dot, osha.
Assist in running pigs and tie-ins.

Concrete finisher vs construction inspector skills

Common concrete finisher skills

Hand Tools, 19%
Work Ethic, 15%
Finishers, 9%
Sidewalks, 8%
Expansion Joints, 6%
Asphalt, 5%

Common construction inspector skills

Asphalt, 9%
ACI, 8%
Construction Inspection, 8%
Construction Projects, 7%
Construction Management, 6%
Traffic Control, 6%

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Concrete Finisher vs Construction Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

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