What You'll Do

  • Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed.
  • Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them.
  • Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float.
  • Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge.
  • Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
  • Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
  • Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
  • Operate power vibrator to compact concrete.
  • Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it.
  • Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine.

Essential Skills

Monitoring 3.25/5
Speaking 3.12/5
Coordination 3.12/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.12/5
Time Management 3.12/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Operation and Control 2.88/5
Operations Monitoring 2.75/5
Mathematics 2.62/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Persistence, Self-Control, Stress Tolerance

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Manual Dexterity 3.88/5
Trunk Strength 3.75/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.62/5
Near Vision 3.62/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.5/5
Control Precision 3.5/5
Extent Flexibility 3.38/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.25/5

Technologies & Tools

ACT Contractors Forms ADAPT-Modeler Hard Dollar HD Project Estimating HIPERPAV LogicSphere Firstmix Maxwell Systems Quest Estimator National Concrete & Masonry Estimator Shilstone seeMIX Sirus GT Construction Accounting Tradesman's Software Master Estimator

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.34/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.29/5)
  • Persistence (High importance: 3.9/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 3.85/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 3.75/5)

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How to Become One

Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for this career. Training is provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Cement Finisher Cement Gun Operator Cement Mason Cement Mason Concrete Finisher Cement Patcher Cementer Column Precaster Concrete Construction Laborer Concrete Cutter Concrete Cutting Operator Concrete Fence Builder Concrete Finisher Concrete Floater Concrete Floor Installer Concrete Form Setter Concrete Grinder Operator Concrete Laborer Concrete Mason Concrete Placement Equipment Operator Concrete Pointer Concrete Polisher Concrete Rubber Concrete Setter Concrete Smoother Concrete Specialist Concrete Stone Finisher Concrete Swimming Pool Installer Concrete Technician (Concrete Tech) Curb Builder Finisher Float Operator Floor Grinder Joint Finisher Joint Setter Mason Placement Specialist Swimming Pool Installer