How To Become A Finisher: What It Is and Career Path

What is a finisher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A finisher works in construction, coordinating the final touches of a building project. Finishers apply paint, wallpaper, and plaster to make surfaces aesthetically pleasing. They prepare surfaces for finishing and may use a variety of tools to achieve the desired result. They may work on interior and exterior surfaces, including walls, floors, ceilings, and trim. Finishers must have an eye for detail and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.

ScoreFinisherUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $32,442

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.5

Growth rate -2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.24%

Asian 0.94%

Black or African American 8.10%

Hispanic or Latino 24.44%

Unknown 3.58%

White 61.71%

Gender

female 28.83%

male 71.17%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

6.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.0

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a finisher?

Pros

Opportunity to work with your hands
Potential for job stability and steady income
Opportunity for on-the-job training and skill development
Possibility for advancement in the field
Ability to work in different settings, such as commercial or residential construction

Cons

Work can be physically demanding, requiring long periods of standing and heavy lifting
Risk of injury from power tools, machinery, and exposure to hazardous substances
Job may require working in uncomfortable or tight spaces
Deadlines and time constraints can be stressful and require long hours
Weather conditions can affect outdoor projects and work schedule

Key steps to become a finisher

Explore finisher education requirements

Most common finisher degrees

High School Diploma

50.2 %

Diploma

14.9 %

Associate

14.6 %

Start to develop specific finisher skills

Skills	Percentages
Hand Tools	15.44%
Finishers	13.98%
Customer Service	9.82%
Donuts	8.32%
Math	7.34%

Complete relevant finisher training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New finishers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a finisher based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real finisher resumes.

Gain additional finisher certifications

Finisher certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific finisher certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for finishers include OSHA Safety Certificate and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

More About Certifications

Research finisher duties and responsibilities

Work on high ceilings using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.
Employ skills of TIG and MIG welding, grinding, fabrication, finishing, and staining.
Walk stilts, drive boom lifts, scissor lifts and used scaffolding to work in areas beyond physical reach.
Utilize precise math and measuring skills.

Apply for finisher jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a finisher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do finishers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Finisher reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2021

Pros

If your crew was good and you’re good and you really don’t have to tell anybody anything

Cons

Not like. I love it

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020