Salary guide

Concrete Finisher Salary & Pay Scale (2026)

What concrete finishers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How much does a concrete finisher make?

The median concrete finisher salary in the U.S. is $57,020 per year, or $27.41 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $39,190, while the top 10% earned more than $85,480.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Concrete Finisher pay scale

Concrete Finisher pay by percentile, May 2025
PercentileAnnualHourly*What it usually reflects
10th percentile$39,190$18.84Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings
25th percentile$47,010$22.60Early career, a year or two of experience
Median (50th)$57,020$27.41Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$66,870$32.15Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers
90th percentile$85,480$41.10Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas

*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.

Monthly and biweekly pay

Pay periodAt 25th percentileAt medianAt 75th percentile
Per year$47,010$57,020$66,870
Per month$3,918$4,752$5,573
Every two weeks$1,808$2,193$2,572
Per week$904$1,097$1,286

Gross pay before taxes and deductions.

What affects concrete finisher pay

  • Union versus non-union employment and local wage agreements
  • License level (apprentice, journeyworker, master or contractor)
  • Overtime, per diem and travel work
  • Specialization (industrial, commercial, renewable energy, high voltage)
  • Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median

How to earn more as a concrete finisher

  1. Get credentialed: ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher, ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade I, OSHA 10-Hour Construction.
  2. Build specialty experience: Screed, float and trowel slabs.
  3. Move up: roles such as lead finisher or foreman and superintendent or concrete contractor typically pay more.
  4. Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.

Concrete Finisher pay vs. related careers

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of concrete finishers to change by +1.6% from 2025–35, slower than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 13,600 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.

About this data

Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 47-2051 (“Cement masons and concrete finishers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.

Concrete Finisher salary FAQ

How much does a concrete finisher make per hour?

The median hourly wage for concrete finishers was $27.41 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $18.84 and the top 10% earned about $41.10 or more.

How much does a concrete finisher make a month?

At the median annual wage of $57,020, that works out to about $4,752 per month before taxes, or about $2,193 every two weeks.

What is the starting salary for a concrete finisher?

New concrete finishers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $39,190 and the 25th percentile was $47,010 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.

How can concrete finishers earn more?

Common ways include earning ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher and ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade I, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as lead finisher or foreman.

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz