Career comparison
Concrete Finisher vs. Construction Laborer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Concrete finishers earn more at the median ($57,020 vs. $47,120), while construction laborers usually get to work faster (Days to weeks (on the job) of training). Concrete finishers place, level and finish concrete for slabs, floors, sidewalks and roads. Construction laborers prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Concrete Finisher | Construction Laborer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $57,020 ($27.41/hr) | $47,120 ($22.66/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,190 – $85,480 | $35,090 – $78,090 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.6% (slower than average) | +7.3% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 13,600 | 120,000 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 3–12 months on the job | Days to weeks (on the job) |
| Key credential | ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher | OSHA 10-Hour Construction |
| Work setting | Finishers work outdoors and inside buildings under construction. | Laborers work outdoors in all kinds of weather on construction sites, roadways and demolition projects. |
What each job does
Concrete Finisher
- Set and check forms and reinforcement
- Place and spread fresh concrete
- Screed concrete to grade
- Float and trowel surfaces by hand and with power trowels
- Edge and cut control joints
Construction Laborer
- Prepare and clean job sites, removing debris and hazards
- Load, unload and move building materials
- Dig, backfill and compact trenches and foundations
- Mix, pour and spread concrete and asphalt
- Erect and dismantle scaffolding, barricades and forms
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, working outdoors, and teamwork. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose concrete finisher if…
- I don’t mind very early mornings
- I like fast-paced physical work
- I can read conditions and make quick decisions
Choose construction laborer if…
- I like physical work and staying active all day
- I don’t mind getting dirty or working in bad weather
- I want to start working right away
Still torn? Take the Concrete Finisher fit quiz and the Construction Laborer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, concrete finisher or construction laborer?
Concrete Finishers earn more at the median: $57,020 versus $47,120 for construction laborers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Construction Laborers typically train faster (Days to weeks (on the job)) than concrete finishers (3–12 months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects construction laborers to grow +7.3% from 2025–35, compared with +1.6% for concrete finishers.