Career comparison
Concrete Finisher vs. Molder and Caster
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. $46,170), while concrete finishers usually get to work faster (3–12 months on the job of training). Concrete finishers place, level and finish concrete for slabs, floors, sidewalks and roads. Molder and casters cast concrete, plaster, stone and composites into molds to make products.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Concrete Finisher | Molder and Caster | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $57,020 ($27.41/hr) | $46,170 ($22.20/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,190 – $85,480 | $35,850 – $61,530 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.6% (slower than average) | +5.8% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 13,600 | 5,100 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–12 months on the job | A year or more on the job |
| Key credential | ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher | PCI certification |
| Work setting | Finishers work outdoors and inside buildings under construction. | Workers are in precast plants, countertop shops and art foundries.. |
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
Molder and Caster
- Prepare molds
- Apply release agents
- Place reinforcement
- Pour materials
- Vibrate and finish
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, working outdoors, and teamwork. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as teamwork and teamwork.
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 molder and caster if…
- I like building things
- I can lift
- I like teamwork
Still torn? Take the Concrete Finisher fit quiz and the Molder and Caster fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, concrete finisher or molder and caster?
Concrete Finishers earn more at the median: $57,020 versus $46,170 for molder and casters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Concrete Finishers typically train faster (3–12 months on the job) than molder and casters (A year or more on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects molder and casters to grow +5.8% from 2025–35, compared with +1.6% for concrete finishers.