How much does a concrete finisher make?
The median concrete finisher in the United States earns $54,660 per year, about $26.28 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all concrete finishers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-2051.
Concrete finisher salary range
Pay for concrete finishers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,290 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $87,620. The average (mean) wage of $59,360 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,290 | $18.41 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,020 | $22.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $54,660 | $26.28 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $65,840 | $31.66 | |
| 90th percentile | $87,620 | $42.13 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for cement masons and concrete finishers (SOC 47-2051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Concrete finisher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Concrete finishers earn the most in Alaska at $94,950 a year, and the least in Alabama at $43,740. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $94,950 | 100 |
| Hawaii | $89,550 | 750 |
| Illinois | $77,450 | 5,980 |
| Washington | $71,820 | 5,000 |
| California | $64,280 | 29,030 |
| Massachusetts | $63,920 | 1,690 |
| Minnesota | $63,610 | 4,150 |
| Wisconsin | $63,490 | 4,570 |
| New Jersey | $63,410 | 3,800 |
| New York | $63,020 | 9,960 |
| Oregon | $62,290 | 2,650 |
| Rhode Island | $62,250 | 250 |
| Ohio | $62,050 | 5,870 |
| District of Columbia | $60,860 | 190 |
| Colorado | $60,710 | 5,090 |
| Nevada | $60,560 | 3,070 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,790 | 4,000 |
| Connecticut | $59,740 | 750 |
| Indiana | $59,280 | 4,580 |
| Michigan | $59,170 | 5,500 |
| Vermont | $58,310 | 260 |
| Arizona | $57,360 | 6,440 |
| Missouri | $57,050 | 5,630 |
| North Dakota | $56,180 | 1,280 |
| Wyoming | $55,690 | 520 |
| Utah | $55,540 | 5,700 |
| Montana | $55,220 | 810 |
| Iowa | $54,650 | 2,860 |
| Maine | $53,730 | 470 |
| Delaware | $52,450 | 470 |
| Louisiana | $51,310 | 960 |
| New Hampshire | $51,290 | 400 |
| Kansas | $50,640 | 3,730 |
| Kentucky | $49,820 | 1,540 |
| Maryland | $49,390 | 2,650 |
| Idaho | $48,700 | 2,580 |
| New Mexico | $48,700 | 1,470 |
| Virginia | $48,510 | 4,550 |
| Nebraska | $48,070 | 3,410 |
| South Carolina | $47,430 | 1,770 |
| North Carolina | $47,370 | 4,170 |
| Georgia | $47,230 | 2,640 |
| West Virginia | $47,020 | 570 |
| Oklahoma | $46,940 | 2,740 |
| Texas | $46,730 | 23,820 |
| Florida | $46,460 | 15,000 |
| Tennessee | $46,460 | 3,910 |
| Arkansas | $46,020 | 2,530 |
| South Dakota | $45,150 | 2,270 |
| Mississippi | $44,460 | 1,050 |
| Alabama | $43,740 | 2,040 |
State median wages for cement masons and concrete finishers (SOC 47-2051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for concrete finishers
The BLS projects employment of concrete finishers to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 204,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 208,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 13,600 openings a year for concrete finishers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a concrete finisher
The typical entry-level education for concrete finishers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a concrete finisher earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $94,950) and the lowest (Alabama, $43,740) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 205,230 people work as concrete finishers in the United States. At $54,660 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Concrete finisher salary FAQ
How much does a concrete finisher make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a concrete finisher is $26.28. The middle half of concrete finishers earn between $22.13 and $31.66 per hour.
What is the highest concrete finisher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of concrete finishers earn more than $87,620 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a concrete finisher make a year?
The median annual salary for a concrete finisher is $54,660. The average (mean) wage of $59,360 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a concrete finisher a well paid job?
At $54,660 a year, a concrete finisher earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 205,230 people work as concrete finishers in the United States.
Which state pays concrete finishers the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for concrete finishers at $94,950 a year. Hawaii ($89,550) and Illinois ($77,450) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a concrete finisher a good career?
Employment of concrete finishers is projected to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 13,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a concrete finisher?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for concrete finishers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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