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.
Concrete finisher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real concrete finisher resumes:
- 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.
- Apply cleaning solvents, caulking, adhesives and sealants.
- Interpret blueprints and assist in concrete form design phase.
- Hand trowel design or smooth finish for stamping design.
- Use OSHA rules and regulations to work safely on job site.
- Blueprint reading, formwork, placing / finishing of concrete, and safety ,
- Finish Sheetrock and get it ready for paint and install metal molding on corners
- Spread, level, and smooth concrete to workable consistency using rake, shovel, trowel, screed, and float.
- Pour concrete, usually involving pushing it out of the truck or raking the concrete with aluminum rakes.
- Work with concrete slabs and finish them as to meet contractor's expectations.
Concrete finisher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Concrete Finishers are proficient in Hand Tools, Work Ethic, and Finishers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Unafraid of heights, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Concrete Finishers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 19%
Use all types of hand tools including saws drills jackhammer and different types and sizes of grinders and other power tools.
- Work Ethic, 15%
Maintained high quality workmanship and work ethic on an experienced crew.
- Finishers, 9%
Concrete Finisher, Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
- Sidewalks, 8%
Directed preparation for crew during commercial and residential concrete foundations and sidewalks.
- Expansion Joints, 6%
Form setting Operation of saws to cut expansion joints Masonry-building of block walls
- Asphalt, 5%
Asphalt Laborer while operating heaving equipment.
Common skills that a concrete finisher uses to do their job include "hand tools," "work ethic," and "finishers." You can find details on the most important concrete finisher responsibilities below.
Color vision. The most essential soft skill for a concrete 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 concrete finisher resume shows how their duties depend on color vision: "build framing for concrete pours pouring, smoothing, stamping, coloring and sealing concrete power washing"
Dexterity. concrete finishers are also known for dexterity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to concrete finisher responsibilities, because "masonry workers must be able to place bricks, stones, and other materials with precision." A concrete finisher resume example shows how dexterity is used in the workplace: "operated a variety of heavy tools and equipment including forklifts, concrete saws, and skid steers. "
Physical strength. For certain concrete finisher responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a concrete finisher rely on this skill, as "masonry workers should be able to lift more than 50 pounds." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what concrete finishers do: "performed physical labor for heavy equipment operation including excavation, trenching, shoveling, and dump truck driving. "
The three companies that hire the most concrete finishers are:
- Structural Group41 concrete finishers jobs
- Structural Preservation Systems LLC41 concrete finishers jobs
- MDU Resources22 concrete finishers jobs
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Compare different concrete finishers
Concrete finisher vs. General foreman
Using their knowledge and expertise of all construction disciplines, a general foreman plans and oversees operations within a construction site to ensure that everything is running smoothly. They are typically in charge of conducting regular inspections, coordinating with engineers and architects, managing the budget and expenditures, supervising workers, and ensuring that the project moves according to the desired time frame. Furthermore, a general foreman implements all safety regulations and policies to ensure a safe and productive work environment for everyone.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between concrete finishers and general foreman. For instance, concrete finisher responsibilities require skills such as "hand tools," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "finishers." Whereas a general foreman is skilled in "safety procedures," "quality standards," "oversight," and "safety policies." This is part of what separates the two careers.
General foremen really shine in the construction industry with an average salary of $54,753. Comparatively, concrete finishers tend to make the most money in the construction industry with an average salary of $42,634.On average, general foremen reach similar levels of education than concrete finishers. General foremen are 2.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Concrete finisher 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, concrete finisher responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "finishers." Meanwhile, a construction inspector has duties that require skills in areas such as "aci," "construction inspection," "construction management," and "traffic control." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Construction inspectors earn a higher average salary than concrete finishers. But construction inspectors earn the highest pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $62,629. Additionally, concrete finishers earn the highest salaries in the construction with average pay of $42,634 annually.construction inspectors earn higher levels of education than concrete finishers in general. They're 5.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Concrete finisher vs. Apprentice carpenter
An apprentice carpenter is responsible for assisting the carpenter on construction operations, ensuring the adherence to safety protocols, and following clients' specifications. Apprentice carpenters monitor carpentry tools and equipment adequacy, inspect the items for any defects for immediate repair or replacements, and analyze blueprints and schematics, especially for installing systems and essential components on the construction. An apprentice carpenter must have excellent organizational and time-management skills and extensive knowledge of the carpentry industry to support the project completion for the customer's satisfaction.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from concrete finisher resumes include skills like "sidewalks," "expansion joints," "asphalt," and "trowels," whereas an apprentice carpenter is more likely to list skills in "scaffolding," "reference points," "door frames," and "carpentry tools. "
Apprentices carpenter make a very good living in the construction industry with an average annual salary of $42,204. On the other hand, concrete finishers are paid the highest salary in the construction industry, with average annual pay of $42,634.Most apprentices carpenter achieve a similar degree level compared to concrete finishers. For example, they're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Concrete finisher vs. Journeyman carpenter
Journeyman carpenters perform carpentry work in buildings and repair structures and elements, primarily by using wood and metal. Journeyman carpenters work directly in a team while reporting to a foreman. Most construction companies, builders, and construction staff hire journeyman carpenters to work mostly during daytime weekday shifts, but evening shifts, weekend, and on-call basis hours are sometimes required. Travel is commonly required for this job, as journeyman carpenters go to and from different supply houses, job sites, and the company shop.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between concrete finishers and journeyman carpenters, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a concrete finisher might have more use for skills like "sidewalks," "expansion joints," "asphalt," and "trowels." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of journeyman carpenters require skills like "scaffolding," "scissor lifts," "clean environment," and "door frames. "
The construction industry tends to pay the highest salaries for journeyman carpenters, with average annual pay of $52,038. Comparatively, the highest concrete finisher annual salary comes from the construction industry.In general, journeyman carpenters hold similar degree levels compared to concrete finishers. Journeyman carpenters are 1.6% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of concrete finisher
Updated January 8, 2025
