Cement mason and concrete finisher
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints. Installers of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units are classified in “Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers” (37-3011). Federal job definition
How people get into it
Apprentices learn by working with experienced masons.
Masons typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the trade either through an apprenticeship or on the job.
These programs operate both independently and in conjunction with apprenticeship training.
- Typical education to start
- No formal educational credential
- Typical training on the job
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Registered apprenticeships are run by employers, unions and industry groups. To find openings near you, search the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship finder, or contact your state's apprenticeship office.
What it pays
Yearly pay for all workers in this job nationally, including experienced ones. Apprentices usually start lower and get raises as they advance.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025Median pay by state (51 states)
| State | Median pay | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $44,720 | 2,110 |
| Alaska | $92,960 | 240 |
| Arizona | $58,910 | 7,520 |
| Arkansas | $46,230 | 1,900 |
| California | $62,700 | 28,700 |
| Colorado | $60,700 | 5,140 |
| Connecticut | $58,640 | 610 |
| Delaware | $57,030 | 400 |
| District of Columbia | $61,680 | 320 |
| Florida | $48,680 | 15,240 |
| Georgia | $46,240 | 3,400 |
| Hawaii | $95,890 | 650 |
| Idaho | $56,410 | 2,540 |
| Illinois | $78,170 | 5,890 |
| Indiana | $61,270 | 4,390 |
| Iowa | $58,220 | 2,110 |
| Kansas | $52,130 | 3,610 |
| Kentucky | $50,200 | 1,280 |
| Louisiana | $49,180 | 910 |
| Maine | $55,680 | 730 |
| Maryland | $51,950 | 2,540 |
| Massachusetts | $63,840 | 1,590 |
| Michigan | $59,860 | 6,350 |
| Minnesota | $66,830 | 3,070 |
| Mississippi | $43,980 | 930 |
| Missouri | $61,390 | 6,220 |
| Montana | $61,620 | 780 |
| Nebraska | $49,510 | 3,200 |
| Nevada | $61,230 | 3,290 |
| New Hampshire | $54,210 | 300 |
| New Jersey | $61,410 | 2,390 |
| New Mexico | $49,230 | 1,540 |
| New York | $64,040 | 9,060 |
| North Carolina | $46,780 | 4,610 |
| North Dakota | $57,710 | 1,190 |
| Ohio | $62,990 | 6,060 |
| Oklahoma | $45,750 | 2,980 |
| Oregon | $68,530 | 2,170 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,610 | 5,180 |
| Rhode Island | $62,950 | 250 |
| South Carolina | $49,360 | 1,930 |
| South Dakota | $47,160 | 2,550 |
| Tennessee | $47,910 | 3,920 |
| Texas | $47,500 | 26,430 |
| Utah | $56,420 | 5,340 |
| Vermont | $61,160 | 270 |
| Virginia | $50,930 | 4,020 |
| Washington | $77,520 | 4,440 |
| West Virginia | $51,950 | 760 |
| Wisconsin | $64,250 | 4,490 |
| Wyoming | $58,450 | 620 |
Job outlook
- People in this job
- 204,800
- Openings each year
- 13,600projected average, 2025–35, including people retiring or changing jobs
- Change in jobs
- +1.6%expected to grow 1.6%, 2025–35
Where these numbers come from
Pay comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' wage survey (May 2025). Jobs, openings, growth, education and training come from BLS Employment Projections (2025–35). The description of the job is the federal Standard Occupational Classification definition, and the quote is from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. For how many apprentices there are in each state, see the Department of Labor's apprentices by state dashboard. Updated November 5, 2026.