Updated 2025 · Construction
How to Become a Concrete Finisher
Concrete finishers pour, smooth, and finish concrete for floors, sidewalks, roads, curbs, and other structures. They operate power trowels and apply decorative finishes.
Steps to Become a Concrete Finisher
- Meet basic requirements — You must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. A strong foundation in math, physics, and shop classes helps.
- Apply to an apprenticeship program — Concrete Finisher apprenticeships last 3 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apply through your local union (IBEW, UA, etc.) or a non-union contractor program. You earn while you learn from day one.
- Complete required training — Complete 6000 hours of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.
- Earn certifications — Required certifications include: ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher certification, OSHA 10/30-Hour, ACI Decorative Concrete certification.
- Pass the journeyman exam — After completing your apprenticeship, pass the journeyman licensing exam in your state to earn full journeyman status and pay.
What Does a Concrete Finisher Do?
Concrete finishers pour, smooth, and finish concrete for floors, sidewalks, roads, curbs, and other structures. They operate power trowels and apply decorative finishes.
Daily Duties
- Pour and spread concrete to specified depth
- Level and smooth concrete surfaces with screeds and trowels
- Apply decorative finishes (stamping, staining, polishing)
- Install forms and reinforcing materials before pours
- Cure concrete and apply sealants
Skills Needed
- Concrete finishing techniques
- Form building
- Decorative concrete
- Power trowel operation
- Mix design knowledge
Required Certifications
- ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher certification
- OSHA 10/30-Hour
- ACI Decorative Concrete certification
Concrete Finisher Salary (2025)
The national median concrete finisher salary is $50,675 per year. Pay ranges from $43,192 in the lowest-paying metro to $63,674 in the highest-paying metro. See the full concrete finisher salary breakdown by city.
Apprentice Pay Progression
Concrete Finisher apprentices earn while they learn, starting at approximately 40% of journeyman pay:
| Year | % of Journeyman | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 40% | $20,270 |
| Year 2 | 65% | $32,939 |
| Year 3 | 90% | $45,608 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $50,675 |
Union vs Non-Union Concrete Finisher Pay
Union concrete finishers earn 30% more than non-union workers — $32.50/hour union vs $25.00/hour non-union. Approximately 16.4% of concrete finishers are union members. See the full union vs non-union comparison.
Work Environment
Concrete finishers work outdoors on construction sites. Physically demanding — bending, kneeling, and working with wet concrete for extended periods. Hot weather accelerates concrete setting, creating time pressure.
Career Outlook
Steady demand in residential and commercial construction. Decorative concrete specialists earn premium wages.
Frequently Asked Questions
The national median salary for a concrete finisher is $50,675 per year (2025 BLS data). Pay ranges from $43,192 to $63,674 depending on location, with top earners in the 90th percentile making significantly more.
It takes 3 years to complete a concrete finisher apprenticeship. During this time, you earn while you learn — starting at approximately 40-50% of journeyman wages and receiving annual raises.
No college degree is required to become a concrete finisher. The primary path is through an apprenticeship program or trade school. You will need to earn specific certifications: ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher certification and OSHA 10/30-Hour.
Concrete Finisher earns a Trade Pay Score grade of D, meaning it rates moderately on pay relative to cost of living, wage growth, and demand. Steady demand in residential and commercial construction. Decorative concrete specialists earn premium wages.
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