What Does a Terrazzo Worker Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a terrazzo worker do?

Terrazzo workers and finishers apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment or marble chips to floors, stairways and cabinet fixtures to create durable and decorative surfaces. The median pay is $76,170 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–4 year apprenticeship, and employment is projected to grow -13.0% from 2025–35.

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

Median pay
$76,170
$36.62/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-13.0%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
100
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
3–4 year apprenticeship
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
1,200
Employment, 2025

What terrazzo workers do

Terrazzo workers create durable, artistic floors. They install divider strips, mix and pour epoxy or cement terrazzo with marble or glass chips, then grind, grout and polish it to a shine in airports, schools and public buildings.

A high school diploma and an apprenticeship are typical. It is a small trade; BLS projects decline.

Typical duties

Install divider strips
Mix terrazzo
Pour and trowel
Grind surfaces
Grout
Polish
Seal floors

Work environment and schedule

Terrazzo workers work in large public and commercial buildings.

Schedule: Full time, often union jobs.

A day in the life

6:30 AMCheck the slab.
7:00 AMInstall divider strips.
9:00 AMMix epoxy terrazzo.
10:00 AMPour and trowel.

See a full day in the life of a terrazzo worker →

Terrazzo Worker salary

Half of terrazzo workers earned more than $76,170 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $46,090 for the lowest 10% to $126,130 for the top 10%.

$46,09010th$76,170Median$126,13090th

Full terrazzo worker pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a terrazzo worker

Finish high school
Join an apprenticeship
Learn installation
Become a journeyman
Advance

A high school diploma and an apprenticeship are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a terrazzo worker →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Mixing terrazzo
Troweling
Grinding
Polishing
Divider strip layout

People skills

Patience
Artistic eye
Stamina
Teamwork

All terrazzo worker skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Artistic craft
Union pay
Lasting work
Specialized skill

Cons

Small, declining trade
Heavy grinders
Knee strain
Chemical exposure

Certifications and licenses

Terrazzo apprenticeship: Union.
NTMA training: National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association.
OSHA 10: Safety.
Silica training: Required.

Career path

Apprentice: Entry.
Journeyman: Skilled.
Foreman: Lead.
Contractor: Business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Terrazzo Worker training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as install divider strips for a terrazzo design and grind and polish terrazzo, safety and how to land your first job.

View Terrazzo Worker training Is this career right for me?

Tile Setter

Install tile and stone on floors, walls, showers and backsplashes.

$55,690
1–3 years of training

Concrete Finisher

Place, level and finish concrete for slabs, floors, sidewalks and roads.

$57,020
3–12 months on the job

Stonemason

Build and repair walls, buildings and features with natural and cut stone.

$57,390
3–4 year apprenticeship

Floor Sander

Sand and refinish hardwood floors to make them look new.

$50,440
A few months on the job

Compare: Terrazzo Worker vs. Tile Setter · Terrazzo Worker vs. Concrete Finisher · Terrazzo Worker vs. Stonemason · Terrazzo Worker vs. Floor Sander

Terrazzo Worker FAQ

Is terrazzo common?

It’s a small specialty trade.

Where is it used?

Airports, schools and public buildings.

Is the trade declining?

BLS projects decline.

How much does a terrazzo worker make?

The median annual wage for terrazzo workers was $76,170 ($36.62 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $46,090 and the highest 10% earned more than $126,130.

How long does it take to become a terrazzo worker?

Most people need about 3–4 year apprenticeship of training. A high school diploma and an apprenticeship are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a terrazzo worker?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-2053 (Terrazzo workers and finishers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Terrazzo workers and finishers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

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

Terrazzo Worker