by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Concrete Finishing/Concrete Finisher covers Concrete Finishing/concrete Finisher. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Prepare, Construct, And Finish Buildings, Components, And Related Structures Using Compound Masonry Mixtures Of Stone, Gravel, Sand, Cement, And Water. Includes Instruction In Site Preparation, Applied Mathematics, Mixing Formulas And Applications, Job Estimation, Concrete Design, Finishing Techniques, Mold Preparation, Reinforcement Installation, Site Safety, And Equipment Operation And Maintenance. Continue reading for the essential details every concrete finishing/concrete finisher major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering concrete finishing/concrete finisher programs.
Nationwide, concrete finishing/concrete finisher is a popular field of study, with 70 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Concrete Finishing/Concrete Finisher Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for concrete finishing/concrete finisher students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of concrete finishing/concrete finisher programs later in this article.
Programs in Concrete Finishing/Concrete Finisher develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations concrete finishing/concrete finisher graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a concrete finishing/concrete finisher program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a concrete finishing/concrete finisher major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several concrete finishing/concrete finisher degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 52 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 12 |
People currently working in careers related to concrete finishing/concrete finisher tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 34.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 23.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 16.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.9% |
| Some college courses | 8.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.0% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in concrete finishing/concrete finisher careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in concrete finishing/concrete finisher prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to concrete finishing/concrete finisher.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to concrete finishing/concrete finisher.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 646,091 | 3.6% |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | 484,877 | 9.2% |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | 105,454 | 2.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of concrete finishing/concrete finisher graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,822 |
| 4 years | $32,489 |
| 5 years | $37,102 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for concrete finishing/concrete finisher graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers concrete finishing/concrete finisher grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $83,555 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,122 |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | $57,985 |
With 5 different concrete finishing/concrete finisher programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased concrete finishing/concrete finisher school rankings to help you.
Students interested in concrete finishing/concrete finisher, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
