Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

What the job really is

Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.

At a glance

• Sector: Construction & Extraction
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-2051
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed.
• Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them.
• Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float.
• Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
• Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge.
• Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
• Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it.
• Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
• Apply hardening and sealing compounds to cure surface of concrete, and waterproof or restore surface.
• Operate power vibrator to compact concrete.
• Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills and other fixtures in freshly poured concrete or pattern or stamp the surface to provide a decorative finish.
• Wet surface to prepare for bonding, fill holes and cracks with grout or slurry, and smooth, using trowel.

Tools and technology

ACT Contractors Forms, ADAPT-Modeler, Abrasive blades, Abrasive rubbing stones, Aluminum floats, Bar benders, Bar cutters, Barrel mounted sprayers, Bit spades, Braces, Brick hammers, Brick jointers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
• Construction Laborers
• Brickmasons and Blockmasons
• Segmental Pavers
• Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
• Tile and Stone Setters
• Stonemasons
• Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.