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What does a concrete worker do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Concrete worker responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real concrete worker resumes:

  • Provide concrete and material for finishers.
  • Test materials via conventional QC testing, non-destructive testing, and durability testing.
  • Pour concrete and used tools (e.g., screeds) to finish concrete work.
  • Clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set up braces and concrete forms.
  • Coordinate with contractor's QC technicians, plant operators, and VTrans lab technicians.
  • Operate work trucks, demo saws, floor finishing equipment, trowels, and lasers.
  • Cut rods to require lengths, using metal shears, hacksaws, bar cutters or acetylene torches.
  • Pour concrete for sidewalks, lead walks, driveways, basements, porch cabs, patios and steps.
  • Rub and patch columns, trowel, rebar, pour and finish concrete slabs and floors for industrial use.
  • Perform setup, tear down, & pouring operations for a company that build basements, driveways, & sidewalks.
  • Concrete construction work, paving crew, asphalt work, drain/flow pipe, & all phases of excavating and restoration.
  • Operate various types of forklifts, overhead cranes, and delivery trucks all while observing OSHA safety standards and practices.
  • Use of construction tools, hammers, picks, shovels, clamps, to build up precast models using steel frames.
  • Trust to complete all matter of landscapes ranging from sidewalk, driveway, concrete and asphalt jobs from planning to completion.
  • Fabricate cast formwork in carpentry shop.

Concrete worker skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Concrete Workers are proficient in Work Ethic, Expansion Joints, and Formwork. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Unafraid of heights, and Color vision.

We break down the percentage of Concrete Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Work Ethic, 8%

    Displayed strong work ethic working outdoors in extreme weather and working extra hours as needed.

  • Expansion Joints, 8%

    Removed/Installed caulking between expansion joints on parking structures.

  • Formwork, 7%

    Managed concrete formwork, layout and finished concrete.

  • Jointers, 5%

    Used edging tools, jointers, brooms.

  • Sidewalks, 5%

    Performed setup, tear down, & pouring operations for a company that built basements, driveways, & sidewalks.

  • Construction Sites, 4%

    Crew based concrete laborer at various construction sites in and around the Eugene and coastal Oregon area.

Most concrete workers use their skills in "work ethic," "expansion joints," and "formwork" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential concrete worker responsibilities here:

Dexterity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a concrete worker to have is dexterity. Their role and responsibilities require that "masonry workers must be able to place bricks, stones, and other materials with precision." Concrete workers often use dexterity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "worked and ran with forklifts, skid loaders, boom lifts"

Color vision. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of concrete workers is color vision. This skill is critical to many everyday concrete worker duties, as "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." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "poured and finished some sidewalks, shop floors, also several patios including exposed aggregate and stamped and colored. "

Physical strength. A big part of what concrete workers do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to concrete worker responsibilities because "masonry workers should be able to lift more than 50 pounds." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical concrete worker tasks: "perform tasks involving physical labor for concrete and masonry construction projects. "

See the full list of concrete worker skills

The three companies that hire the most concrete workers are:

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Compare different concrete workers

Concrete worker vs. Cement mason

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.

If we compare the average concrete worker annual salary with that of a cement mason, we find that cement masons typically earn a $4,635 lower salary than concrete workers make annually.Even though concrete workers and cement masons are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require expansion joints, formwork, and jointers in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, concrete worker responsibilities require skills like "work ethic," "safety procedures," "tie rebar," and "manual labor." Meanwhile a typical cement mason has skills in areas such as "defective spots," "epoxy compound," "bobcat," and "bull float." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Cement masons earn the highest salaries when working in the construction industry, with an average yearly salary of $45,442. On the other hand, concrete workers are paid more in the construction industry with an average salary of $42,953.cement masons tend to reach similar levels of education than concrete workers. In fact, cement masons are 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Concrete worker vs. Finisher

A finisher is an individual who completes, perfects, or puts an end to a certain job, especially in trades. Finishers perform the initial set of forms, proper gravel grade, and tying of rebar. They get rid of dents and fill the uneven surface using a molten solder. It is their job to read, understand, and later work orders based on the safety regulations of OSHA. The skills they need to stay in this position include customer service and relations, communication skills, leadership, and attention to detail.

On average, finishers earn a $10,626 lower salary than concrete workers a year.A few skills overlap for concrete workers and finishers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "tape measure," "tie rebar," and "finishers. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, concrete worker responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "work ethic," "expansion joints," "formwork," and "jointers." Meanwhile, a finisher has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "donuts," "math," and "quality standards." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, finishers earn a lower salary than concrete workers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, finishers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $34,627. Whereas concrete workers have higher pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $42,953.In general, finishers achieve similar levels of education than concrete workers. They're 0.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Concrete worker vs. Cement finisher helper

On average scale, cement finisher helpers bring in lower salaries than concrete workers. In fact, they earn a $7,088 lower salary per year.concrete workers and cement finisher helpers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "expansion joints," "jointers," and "safety procedures," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a concrete worker is likely to be skilled in "work ethic," "formwork," "sidewalks," and "construction sites," while a typical cement finisher helper is skilled in "safety guidelines," "safety regulations," "nail guns," and "use."

When it comes to education, cement finisher helpers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to concrete workers. In fact, they're 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Concrete worker vs. Cement gun operator

Cement gun operators tend to earn a lower pay than concrete workers by an average of $4,401 per year.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between concrete workers and cement gun operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a concrete worker might have more use for skills like "work ethic," "expansion joints," "formwork," and "jointers." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of cement gun operators require skills like "cdl," "dot," "rig," and "log book. "

In general, cement gun operators hold similar degree levels compared to concrete workers. Cement gun operators are 0.3% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of concrete worker

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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